The games are coming thick and fast in the Donegal Women’s League at all age groups.
There has been little let-up in the drama, even at this early stage of the season.
Pictured above: Raphoe Town Rockets and Bonagee United Under-12s
UNDER-16s
Lagan Harps 4 Bonagee United 1
In a very exciting and skilful game played in the Orchard Park, Lagan saw of the challenge of Bonagee,
In what would be described a game of missed opportunities and a real battling performance by both sides, Lagan dominated the first half.
On 7 minutes Orla McGrath should have given Lagan the lead at the back post after an excellent cross by Gabrielle O’Donnell.
Maria Bonner’s fine shot on 16 minutes saw Lagan take the lead.
Niamh Monaghan made a good save from a free kick by Caitlin Hume.
Clodagh Sweeney converted a corner from Gabrielle O Donnell to extend the lead and Orla McGrath make it three-nil to Lagan just on the half time whistle.
Bonagee battled hard in the second half and after Gabrielle O’Donnell and Orla McGrath both hit the woodwork, Bonagee came on a counter-attack with a fine run by Hannah Hopkins giving no chance to Niamh in the Lagan goal.
Maria Boner wrapped up the scoring on 68 minutes with an excellent finish..
Raphoe Town 0 Illistrin 3
Three goals in the second half were enough to secure victory against Raphoe in this U16 game played on Tuesday night at Deele College.
There was little between the teams at the interval without a goal in the first half, but the visitors had the best of the possession and made it count in the second half.
Erica Gallagher broke the deadlock in a hard fought game on the hour and an awkward bounce from a long clearance saw the ball nick off Jodi McFadden and into the net for the second.
Raphoe pressed to get into the game but Illistrin added to their tally in the final two minutes with a well-struck free-kick from Aisling Coll.
Swilly Rovers 0 Finn Valley 0
Two very depleted teams battled it out to finish with a no score draw.
Valley started strong with Amy Lafferty having an early chance and just caught offside on another occasion.
Swilly came back strong, but Emma Conaghan produced a fantastic save from Anna McFadden’s shot.
Aine Connolly, playing her first game for Swilly under-16s, also had a great effort saved.
Valley had another chance just before half time, but a last second tackle from Orlaith Connolly in Swilly’s defence, cleared the danger.
Swilly started very strong in the second half with both Kelsey McAteer and Anna McFadden creating great chances, but again Emma Conaghan producing fine saves.
Finn Valley still had their chances, with one shot being cleared of the line by Katherine Black.
Both teams produced a very competitive and entertaining game, a draw being the fair result.
Best for Finn Valley: Rachael Lawne, Ciara Lawne, Aine Gallagher and Emma Conaghan
Best for Swilly Rovers: Katherine Black, Orlaith Connolly, Kelsey McAteer and Anna McFadden, with an outstanding performance from Aine Connolly
UNDER-14s
Swilly Rovers 0 Lagan Harps 7
Lagan were out in force at Swilly Park on Thursdau evening evening with Orlaith Doherty leading the charge.
The game started off even with both sides showing promise to open the scoring, but it was Lagan who broke through Swilly’s defence with Doherty splitting through to net her first goal.
Two similar goals followed with Doherty striking two powerful goals past keeper Aine Connelly to bring the game 3-0 to Lagan at half time.
The second half started quickly with Lagan’s Doherty pressing fast to get two more goals within 10 minutes of the whistle.
Swilly didn’t give up hope, continuing to attack through the wing with Kristen Stewart playing up the line into forward Caitlin Doherty only to hit wide of the post.
Lagan pressed on the counter with A’alya Mustafa tapping into the back of Swilly’s net from a Doherty cross.
The final goal of the match came from Doherty bringing her tally up to an impressive 6 goals.
Best player for Swilly was Katie O’Gorman with star of the show Doherty impressive for Lagan.
Bonagee United 0 Raphoe Town 1
Abigail Temple-Asokhu scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half as Raphoe U14s scored a narrow win over Bonagee.
The only goal of the game decided a game that was every bit as close as the score line suggests.
In a game of inches, Raphoe got the edge when Temple-Asokhu got in and made no mistake with a clinical finish.
Bonagee has began brightly with Katherine Hopkins feeding Andrea Cutliffe, but her powerful shot went out for a corner.
Raphoe went close themselves when Ella McHugh got on the end of a Shaniah McMonagle free but shot narrowly wide.
Heather McLaughlin was denied by a fine save from Tianna Hannigan, the Raphoe keeper, before McLaughlin turned provider for Grace Murphy, whose drive was beaten away.
McHugh riffled over the crossbar before Hannigan saved superbly from Murphy.
The ball broke to Murphy, whose follow-up was just over.
When Temple-Asokhu got her moment, she delivered the goods with a cool finish.
Bonagee set about salvaging the game. Amy Callaghan’s superb play set up Hannah Hopkins, whose powerful effort flashed wide.
Bonagee had a late penalty claim, when Amy Cassidy went to ground, but it wasn’t to be.
Raphoe held out on a night when both teams could leave with their heads held high.
Finn Valley 2 Gweedore Celtic 2
Finn Valley started the game and were quick to settle with a lot of possession, but were unable to capitalise as Gweedore were well organised defensively.
Against the run of play took the lead through Maeve Boyle.
An inspired Gweedore came more into the game and Valley were lucky to survive a few counter attacks.
Gweedore extended their lead before half-time via Lauren O’Donnell.
Shortly after the second half Valley with the aid of the chilly breeze reduced the deficit through Sara Connaghan.
The determined Valley didn’t give up and did manage to get the elusive equaliser through Roisin Lynch who won the ball in midfield and with a fine solo effort drew the sides level.
Kilmacrennan 1 Illistrin 5
Five goals in the first half sealed the deal for Illistrin. They showed strength and determination right from the whistle and got their first goal with just five minutes gone.
Claire Molloy got four of their goals while Nicole McDaid got the other.
Kilmac put in such improved performance in the second half and managed to keep Illistrin scoreless for the whole of part two.
Illistrin still kept the pressure on and went searching for more goals.
It was Kilmac who got the only goal in the second half with about five minutes to go. Emma Price finishing well into the back of the net.
UNDER-12s
Raphoe Town Rockets 1 Bonagee Utd 3
Two goals from Chloe Creevy proved the difference on Monday night as Bonagee came away with three points from a hard fought game against Raphoe in a well-contested game.
On a difficult and extremely cold night for football, the visitors took the lead when Chloe Creevy burst through to score in the 14th minute, while at the other end it took a great save from Megan Patterson to deny Aine O’Flanagan following great work from Samara McBrearty.
The Raphoe captain led the line superbly for the home side, but she was held at bay time and again by Caitlin Fletcher and Ginny Diver who were superb at the back for Bonagee.
When Eva Kelly pounced on a loose pass in the Raphoe defence in the 23rd minute Bonagee doubled their lead, but a superb through ball from Hannah Goudie sent Samara McBrearty away to leave just one goal between the sides at the break.
Raphoe pressed and pressed for an equaliser in the second half, Patterson making a super reaction save to push away a stinging drive from McBrearty and Diver and Fletcher snuffing out wave after wave of attacks led by McBrearty and Enya McBride.
At the other end Aine O’Flanagan who had taken over the goalkeeping duties for Raphoe didn’t have much to do and just was it seemed as if the game would finish with just one goal between the sides, Creevy pounced on a loose ball from a corner and stabbed the ball home.
That was the last action of a well-contested battle and gets the visitors off the mark with their first win of the season.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 7 Ballyraine FC 1
Meave Brady got the scoring underway in the first five minutes.
Natasha McGettigan then put one in the back of the net before Brady scored again making it 3-0.
Emer Cassidy put Ballyraine on the scoreboard with a great goal.
Aoibhe Quinn had to make a few good saves as Ballyraine were on the attack.
Alisha Gallagher then scored for Kilmac after a good corner kick in by Natasha McGettigan.
In the second half, Ballyraine were in fighting spirt but a good ball in from Alisha Gallagher to Lucie McGarvey ended with her putting it in the back of the net.
Gallagher scored again making it 6-1 to the home side and a third for Brady made it 7-1 to Kilmacrennan – a great result for the hosts on a cold bitter evening in Lurgy.
Mulroy Academy 2 Raphoe Town 0
In extremely windy conditions on Monday in Rabs Park, Mulroy Academy took on Raphoe.
The hosts played against a strong wind in the first half but nevertheless managed to score two goals, with Katie Shovelin scoring in the eleventh minute, followed by a goal from Kaylagh Sweeney in the 27th minute.
The second half saw Raphoe ‘s goalkeeper pull off some fine saves to keep a relentless Mulroy Academy at bay.
Great defending by Clodagh Gibbons, Lucy McGonagle and Leah Roche as well as fine performances from Caoimhe McLaughlin and Kaylagh Sweeney proved too strong for Raphoe leaving the final score 2-0 to Mulroy.
Illistrin 4 Milford United 2
Orla Malseed’s hat-trick shot Illistrin to victory over Milford United on Monday evening.
Malseed’s hat-trick was the difference between the sides in a pulsating contest.
The other Illistrin goal was an unfortunate og, while Milford’s goals were netted by Erin Nelis and Chloe McGonigle.
