Glenfin had 13 points to spare as they went goal crazy against Maigh Cuilinn in this afternoon’s senior ladies final at Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta in Downings.
Glenfin 7-10 Maigh Cuilinn 3-9
By Chris McNulty in Downings. Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Evening without their county contingent, Glenfin were in little trouble.
Grainne Houston, Colleen McGrath (2), Gemma Glackin, Lauren Martin, Laura McKenna and Karen Ward hit the goals for the An Gaeltacht Lár side in an emphatic victory.
They were three goals to the good at half-time and rammed home their dominance with another four second-half majors.
Ahead of Donegal’s Ulster Senior Ladies Championship semi-final with Monaghan on Saturday in Clones, Glenfin had to line out without county aces Yvonne McMonagle, Karen Guthrie, Anna Marie McGlynn and Katy Herron.
But Glenfin got off to a fine start with Glackin (2) and Kathy Ward on target before former Donegal player Houston netted their first goal.
Glackin was to the fore and it was from her assist that Houston took possession before firing past Roisin Ni Chonghaile.
Katie Ní Arthuir kept Maigh Culinn in it, but Glenfin hit another two goals before the changeover.
Sinead McGinty sent McGrath on her way and McGrath surged into the space that opened before riffling home.
It got even better for Glenfin when Martin latched onto Kathy Ward’s pass and bagged a third goal for the Donegal side, who had been given a bye into the final.
Maigh Cuilinn defeated Termon in their semi-final yesterday, but Glenfin had a healthy nine-point lead – thanks to the goals – as they parted for the refreshments with McGrath on the mark in added time with a point.
Francis Martin’s Glenfin had the ball in the net again early in the second half as substitute McKenna struck gold.
They margin was widened again when Karen Ward slotted home.
Ailbhe Ní Dhubharaun scored the first of her two goals for Maigh Cuilinn on 43 minutes, but Glenfin didn’t lift the feet,.
Just a minute after Ward’s goal, McGrath finished off her second of the day.
Megan Ni Dhabharun netted another for Maigh Cuilinn, but Glackin brilliantly found the bottom corner to take her perusal haul to 1-4 for the day.
Ni Dhabharun beat Sharon Conaghan a second time late on, but McKenna clipped over the final score of the game to seal a 13-point win.
Glenfin: Sharon Conaghan; Mary Martin, Mary Ward, Tara Martin; Sinead McGinty, Annmarie Logue, Jemma Bradley; Kathy Ward (0-1), Grainne Houston (1-0); Katie Long, Karen Ward (1-0), Colleen McGrath (2-1); Lauren Martin (1-1), Gemma Glackin (1-4, 2f), Danielle McGinley. Subs: Laura McKenna (1-3) for McGinley (15), Ciara Ward for Bradley (48), Sharon Doherty for M.Martin (51), Maggie Farrelly for Long (54), Shauna Doherty for McGrath (56).
Maigh Cuilinn: Roisin Ni Chonghaile; Grace Ní Cuminn, Ailbhe de Paor, Emily Ní Mhaoldiedh; Fiona Ní Flarthartha, Ruth Ní Broschain, Taylor Breatnach; Emma Ní Arthuir, Katie Ní Arthuir (0-4f); Ella de Faoite, Ailbhe Ní Dhubharau (2-2), Rhian Ní Cionnath; Sinead Ní Dhonnacha, Megan Ni Dhabharun (1-3), Amy Ní Dhughán.
Referee: Shaun McLaughlin (Malin)
