A FIVE-STAR performance by Yvonne Bonner had Glenfin in seventh heaven as they won back the Donegal ladies SFC crown in style.
Glenfin 7-7 Termon 2-10
By Chris McNulty at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park. Pictures by Joe Boland, North West Newspix
Bonner hit five goals – all of them in the first half – as Glenfin got the silverware back in their hands thanks to a 12-point win over old rivals Termon.
Bonner, who has recently been retained for a third campaign in 2020 by Australian Rules side Greater Western Sydney Giants, was the star turn as Glenfin prised the cup back from Termon’s clutches after a year.
Termon had dethroned Glenfin in last year’s decider, but here there was no repeat as Bonner – who had been an absentee from the 2019 final – blasted her side to a memorable win.
Glenfin’s Yvonne Bonner scores one of the Glenfin goals. (North West Newspix)
Danielle McGinley and Brenda Carr hit second-half goals as the Paul Bonner-managed Glenfin toasted a memorable win.
Termon were shaken from their boots before they could get motoring and although Geraldine McLaughlin hit 1-6, including a goal from a penalty, they were unable to stir Glenfin from the driver’s seat. Termon’s woe was compounded when McLaughlin was helped from the pitch with an injury in the second half.
Four goals in the first 20 minutes from the deadly Bonner had the An Gaeltacht Lár side 11 points in front and left Termon facing a mountain.
Glenfin’s Grainne Houston is surrounded by Termon’s Roisin Friel and Nicole McLaughlin. (North West Newspix)
A pair of early Geraldine McLaughlin points had Termon in front by the seventh minute but Glenfin struck fire with three goals in seven minutes.
The opener arrived when Karen Guthrie picked out Bonner and a low finish found the bottom corner of the Termon net. The Donegal ace was given much too much freedom in the opening quarter and she reaped vast dividends.
Less than two minutes later, Bonner fired home a second goal.
With Termon still reeling, Bonner was set away by Katie Long for a third goal. Bonner surged past Niamh Friel before blasting past Maureen O’Donnell.
Termons Chelsea Gorman keeps possesion despite the close attention of her Glenfin markers. (North West Newspix)
Bonner chipped in to seal her hat-trick with a cool and clever finish in the 20th minute to widen the deficit further still.
Just when Termon – with three-in-a-row from McLaughln, Roisin Friel and Roisin McCafferty – began to find a groove, Bonner twisted the knife once more. Bonner appeared to have attempted a point, but her shot flew into the net for her fourth and Glenfin’s fifth goal.
A monster Karen Guthrie free from 40 metres helped Glenfin to lead by 11 points, 5-4 to 0-8, at half-time. Guthrie had posted an excellent 1-12 in her side’s semi-final win over Moville last weekend and she landed five points here.
Termon inched their way back with McLaughlin slamming a penalty past Sharon Conaghan after being fouled herself. When McLaughlin drilled over in the 45th minute, Termon were within seven points.
Termon’s Shannon Mc|Laughlin is surrounded as she attempts to play a pass during the final against Glenfin. (North West Newspix)
However, just before the water break in the second-half, Glenfin bagged their sixth goal when McGinley batted to the net after getting on the end of a dropping Bonner free.
Glenfin sub Carr converted after O’Donnell saved well from Bonner.
Late in the game, Roisin McCafferty drilled to the net from a free, but it was scant consolation as Glenfin’s name could already have been inscribed.
Glenfin: Sharon Conaghan; Sinead McGinty, Annie Logue, Mary Martin; Gemma Glackin, Anne Marie McGlynn, Karen Ward; Katy Herron, Grainne Houston; Katie Long, Karen Guthrie (0-5, 3f), Kathy Ward; Danielle McGinley (1-0), Yvonne Bonner (5-2, 2f), Caoimhe McGlynn. Subs: Brenda Carr (1-0) for Ward (52), Ciara Ward for McGinty (55), Lauren Martin for C.McGlynn (61) Coleen McGrath for McGinley (63).
Termon: Maureen O’Donnell; Niamh Friel, Emer Gallagher, Meabh McDaid; Chelsea Gorman, Evelyn McGinley, Eimear Alcorn; Roisin McCafferty (1-1, 1-0f), Nicole McLaughlin; Shannon McLaughlin, Bridget Gallagher, Olive McCafferty (0-1); Lucy O’Flynn, Geraldine McLaughlin (1-6, 1-0pen, 1f), Roisin Friel (0-2). Subs: Maria Carr for McDaid (27), Aibhe McDaid for Gorman (35), Ciara McGarvey for O’Flynn (40), Jodie McFadden for G.McLaughlin (60), Annie McLaughlin for Alcorn (60)
Referee: Siobhan Coyle (Gaeil Fhánada).
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