GERALDINE MCLAUGHLIN WAS on song today as an impressive Donegal secured their third Division Two win of this year’s Lidl Ladies National Football League.
Sligo 2-4 Donegal 4-17
The Termon sharpshooter bagged a hugely impressive 3-8, including two converted penalties to give her team maximum points following wins over Westmeath and Laois.
Ulster champions Donegal, managed by Sligo native Michael Naughton, overpowered Sligo at Tourlestrane. The visitors only led by four points at the break, 1-9 to 2-2, but coasted through the second-half against a Sligo side, last year’s Division Three champions, who came into this game on the back of two losses.
Sligo started well and scored 1-2 inside the opening five minutes – the goal from Emma Kevany – to put Donegal on the back foot.
Although down by four points, 1-2 to 0-1, following Sligo’s early surge, Donegal landed six unanswered points to go two points up, 0-7 to 1-2, by the 22nd minute.
Geraldine McLaughlin scored five of these six points and the other came from Donegal’s other top scorer, Yvonne McMonagle, who finished with 1-4.
McMonagle was denied a 19th minute goal when Sligo’s net-minder, Noelle Gormley, tipped away the full-forward’s goalbound effort.
Sligo’s second goal – Emma Kevany set up Stephanie O’Reilly for a good finish after 23 minutes – briefly halted Donegal’s momentum, and put Sligo back in front, 2-2 to 1-7.
But two minutes later Donegal regained the lead when Geraldine McLaughlin converted a penalty. The prolific forward added two more points, bringing her first-half haul to 1-7, to leave Donegal four up at half-time.
The second-half was a non-event for the hosts – Sligo only managed two more points and Donegal added a further 3-8.
Geraldine McLaughlin’s 40th minute goal – a low bullet from close-range – increased the margin to nine points and when Yvonne McMonagle netted in the 53rd minute, from a Geraldine McLaughlin pass, the outcome was confirmed.
The game’s best player completed her hat-trick after 51 minutes when she converted her second spot-kick.
Donegal, whose promotion hopes are viable given the form Geraldine McLaughlin is in, are next in action on Sunday, February 28, when they are away to Meath.
Player of the Match: Geraldine McLaughlin
Sligo: Noelle Gormley (c), Grainne O’Loughlin, Eilise Codd, Anne Marie Coleman, Ruth Goodwin, Lauren Boles, Elaine O’Reilly, Bernice Byrne, Sinead McTiernan, Emma Kevany (1-0), Stephanie O’Reilly (1-0), Sarah Reynolds (0-2), Lisa Casey, Katie Walsh (0-2, 2f), Laura Ann Laffey. Subs used: Denise McGrath, Aimee Cawley-Fox, Ciara Gorman, Aisling O’Gara
Donegal: Laura Gallagher, Teresa Doherty, Katie Herron (0-1), Nicole McLaughlin, Emer Gallagher, Ciara Hegarty, Theresa McCafferty, Karen Gutherie (0-1), Paula McGroary, Deirdre Foley (0-1), Niamh Hegarty (c), Roisin Curran, Eilish Ward, Yvonne McMonagle (1-4), Geradline McLaughlin (3-8, 1f, 2-0 pen). Subs used: Grainne Houston, Emma McGroary, Kaneshia McKinney, Emer Bradley, Kelly Wilson, Roisín Friel, Amber Barrett, Kate Keeney (0-2)
Referee: Garryowen McMahon (Mayo)
Tags: