The Donegal Women’s League action is as busy as ever with games coming thick and fast for teams and players. Here’s a roundup of all the latest action.
UNDER-16
Illistrin FC 3 Lagan Harps 0
Played in excellent conditions on the brilliant playing surface in Illistrin this game produced some great football from start to finish.
The home team (pictured above) earned all three points on the back of a superb performance at the end of the first half where they scored all three goals.
Erika Gallagher had a great chance in the opening minute but shot straight at Tanya Cullen in the Lagan nets. Gallagher continued to cause problems for the defensive partnership of Shannon Cunningham and Emma Gribben but Gillen did well when called upon.
At the other end Marie Bonner was well defended by Alisha Tobin with Aobha McDaid alert to any danger for Illistrin.
The breakthrough came after 25 minutes when a well delivered free-kick from the talented Aislinn Coll rebounded to Ciara Doherty and she let fly with a wonderful strike that found the top corner.
Soon after it was two when Coll’s through ball released Gallagher and her shot gave the keeper no chance. Good work from Emily Irwin and Sarah McGinley on the right saw the ball played to the back post and Nicole McDaid found Gallagher and again she made no mistake from close range.
Lagan then had a great 10 minute spell before halftime and some good work from the impressive Sophie Canning and Orla McGrath found Shannon Cunningham and she was unlucky to see her effort crash of Orla Corry’s crossbar.
The second half produced some good football and Lagan pressed hard for a goal through Harriett McCrossan but Megan McDaid and Rebekah McGlinchey were solid in defence. Aobha Harrigan went close with a great effort from 20 yards that struck the post.
Sophie Curran and Marie Rushe did well in midfield for Illistrin and Chloe and Niamh Sweeney were excellent in defence for Lagan in the second half.
Lucy Canning was strong in midfield for Lagan and Aobha Gallagher was exceptional for Illistrin. Sean O’Donnel has a fine game as ref.
Both clubs would like to wish Illistrin’s Sinead McBride and Lagan’s Erin Doherty a speedy recovery after their recent injuries.
Bonagee United 0 Mulroy Academy 3
Mulroy U16 girls secure another away victory in a hard fought battle with Bonagee.
Mulroy started the first half strong creating good football throughout.
Mulroy got their rewards when Rachel Friel played a great through ball to Lisa Dugera who took her finish well.
The second goal soon followed when Lisa Dugera once again got in behind the Bonagee defence and got her deserved second goal of the night.
Bonagee had a good spell towards the end of the first half but the Mulroy midfield and defence worked well to keep the scoreline 2-0 at half time.
The second half saw Bonagee start the better of the two but Mulroy’s work rate on the night was brilliant.
Megan McLaughlin got Mulroy’s third goal and was thoroughly deserved with the work she done on the night.
This was a good game played by both teams. Best for Bonagee was heather McLaughlin and Caitlin Hume. Best for Mulroy Rachel Friel and Lisa Dugera
Finn Valley 0 Raphoe Town 9
Raphoe Town proved too strong for Finn Valley.
Codie Walsh bagged a hat-trick for the Raphoe side, continuing her superb form of late.
Abbie McKnight added a brace of goals, while Rebecca McColgan, Shania McMonagle, Amy Quigley and Ella McHugh were also on the mark.
Under-12
Gweedore United 3 Finn Valley 0
Gweedore United chalked up a valuable home win against Finn Valley on Easter Monday afternoon.
Fia Coyle, Brianna Ferry and Maryanne Ward hit the goals as Gweedore scored the victory, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Bonagee United 1 Raphoe Town Rapids 4
In what was a glorious evening in Bonagee the under 12 ladies welcomed Raphoe Rapids to Dry Arch Park.
The Bonagee girls started out this match still in search of their first home Win and both teams took quite a while to settle into this game.
Little chances were created at either end in the first twenty minutes until Raphoe’s Cliodhna Kelly who was starting to trouble the Bonagee’s defence broke down the wing and cut inside and shot low in to the bottom corner to make it 1-0 going into half time.
After the restart Bonagee’s Ellen Temple had got past the Raphoe defence only to shoot marginally wide. Raphoe followed up with their second on 42 minutes when Cliodhna Kelly’s deflected shot got past Megan Patterson in the Bonagee goal.
Bonagee battled hard in the second half and as Cliodhna Kelly went in search of her hat-trick, she was rewarded it in the 50th minute. Bonagee didn’t let their heads drop and Ellen Temple was through again on 52 minutes but had her shot saved by the Raphoe keeper. Raphoe added a fourth through Cara Eaton.
Bonagee got their consolation goal in the 55th minute when again Ellen Temple’s determination got her to the ball and she sent in a low cross where Grace Patton met it with her right foot and into the bottom corner it went.
Best for Raphoe was Cliodhna Kelly, while Bonagee’s Ellen Temple, Allana Condron and Eva Kelly done well for the home side.
Milford 1 Mulroy Academy 3
In beautiful weather conditions at Moyle Hill, Milford, Mulroy Academy u-12 girls continued their fine form with a 3-1 win over Milford Utd on Easter Monday evening.
In a tightly fought contest, which daw sisters Una and Sinead Hagen managing the opposing sides, the visitors were first on the scoresheet with a fine goal from Katie Shovelin.
Although Milford put up a strong defence, the Mulroy girls saw their hard work rewarded when Maeve Sweeney scored the second goal of the match. Clodagh Gibbons and Kaylagh Sweeney worked tirelessly throughout, ably supported by Laragh Blaney, Caoimhe Friel and Leah Roche.
The girls enjoyed much needed water breaks during the match which saw good performances from Blathnaid McAteer, Caoimhe Coyle and Ava McElwaine. In the second half, Chloe McConigley Blaney scored for Milford, keeping the hosts firmly in the match.
In a nail-biting finish, Maeve Sweeney struck again with another goal leaving the Mulroy girls victorious.
Special mention must go to Mary Bridget McGeever in goals who provided a reliable and safe pair of hands for Mulroy.
Ballyraine 0 Illistrin 3
Ballyraine hosted Illistrin in their first home game of the season on a warm evening in Ballyare.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides spurning some opportunities with Ballyraine keeper Kayla Singaroyan making some excellent stops. Illistrin took the lead midway through the first half with a strike from the edge of the box from Orla Malseed.
Ballyraine pushed hard in the second half however could not make the pressure pay for an equaliser. Illistrin then added two more with clinical strikes from Eimear Molloy and Chloe Early.
A battling performance from the Ballyraine girls who were just undone by the experience and clinical finishing off Illistrin.
Raphoe Town Rockets 0 Lagan Harps 6
Striker Orlaith Doherty proved too hot to handle for Raphoe Town on Monday night, grabbing all six goals for the visitors in a one-sided affair.
Doherty raced through to find the net inside the first minute and by half time had put Lagan 4-0 ahead and it might have been more but for some great goalkeeping from Ella McCarron in the home goal.
Raphoe battled hard, young Tori Clarke and Aine O’Flanagan trying hard, but Lagan were unstoppable and Doherty added two further goals early in the second half as they cruised to a comfortable win.
