GREENCASTLE FC WON THEIR third Ulster Ladies Cup in a row as Niamh Hegarty and Sarah Jane McDonald scored four apiece to gun down Lagan Harps on Saturday.
Greencastle FC 8-2 Lagan Harps
The rivals, the big guns of ladies soccer in Donegal, played out a barnstorming contest at The Lakeside in Inch, where Hegarty and McDonald proved too hot to handle.
They ensured that Paddy Hannon’s team (pictured above) retained the crown for the third year in success.
Hegarty’s fine finish opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute, but Lagan hit back.
Indeed, Brid McGinty’s side were ahead by the 14th minute.
Irish Under-17 international Caoimhe Walsh equalised before Nakita Burke drilled the Orchard Park team in front.
A breathless opening continued and the outstanding Hegarty drew Greencastle back on level terms.
The Inishowen side regained the foothold when McDonald tucked a 22nd minute penalty beyond Emma Duffy, the Lagan goalkeeper.
Just two minutes later, Hegarty stunned Lagan when she completed her hat-trick thanks to a superb finish.
Duffy made a couple of interventions to keep Greencastle at bay, but the goose looked cooked when McDonald slotted home for a 5-2 interval lead.
Lagan looked to have a lifeline two minutes into the second half when Amber Barrett, on as a half-time replacement, won a penalty. Barrett’s spot-kick hit the post and an offside infringement meant the rebound was chalked off.
McDonald added to the tally on 51 minutes and Hegarty scored a quick-fore seventh, her fourth of the evening.
Not to be outdone, McDonald added her fourth eleven minutes from time.
Greencastle FC: Sarah Faulkener, Danielle Barr, Karen Henry, Charmaine McDermott, Kathy McLaughlin, Marie Kelly, Shannon McDonald, Shona Kelly, Orlaigh Furlong, Niamh Hegarty, Sarah Jane McDonald. Subs: Melissa McLaughlin for S.McDonald, Niamh McLaughlin for Henry.
Lagan Harps: Emma Duffy, Saorla McGarrigle, Chantel Kelly, Zoe Green, Michelle Kelly, Ciana Brogan, Aoife Page, Kaneshia McKinney, Caroline Gallagher, Caoimhe Walsh, Nakita Burke. Subs: Erin Coll for M.Kelly, Amber Barrett for Page, Amanda Callaghan for Brogan.
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