The action is continuing apace in the Donegal Women’s League with exciting action across all the age grades – here’s a roundup of the latest games.
UNDER-14
Illistrin FC 3 Lagan Harps 0
Illistrin FC welcomed a youthful Lagan Harps team to Illistrin for this final group game. The home team played some great football from the start but were made to battle all the way by the visitors.
Ciara Molloy opened the scoring early in the match after a good ball from Grace Nugent set her up.
She turned inside her marker and found the roof of the net.
Erika Gallagher was a constant threat throughout the first half with Nicole McDaid and Katelyn Doherty providing great through balls.
She got her reward when she latched onto one of these passes and finished well.
Lagan’s main threat was provided by the skilful Niamh Sweeney but there was no way past Darcey Kelly. Emily Irwin, Aobha Harrigan and Meabh Devenney were solid in defence too with goalkeeper Aobhin Randles solid behind them.
Lagan’s keeper Aoife Sweeney produced some great saves in the second half as Ciara Molloy, Erika Gallagher, and Nicole McDaid came close to scoring.
Claire Gallagher and the lively Sarah Robinson did well in the second half.
Molloy secured all three points with another neat finish.
Emma Gribben and Erin Doherty went close for Lagan and young Sophie Canning put in a fine display. Leanne McGettigan and Sarah McGinley worked well in midfield for Illistrin.
Bonagee 5 Swilly Rovers 0
Bonagee had a comprehensive win over Swilly Rovers on Friday. Both teams started brightly with chances at either end however it was Bonagee who took the lead when Ella Black made some space for herself to run into and played a lovely through ball for Grace Murphy to slot it into the corner of the net.
Only two minutes later Bonagee added to their tally when Andrea Cutliffe sent an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.
The second half saw the Bonagee girls wanting more and Hannah Hopkins latched onto a Cliodhna Patton ball and finished well under pressure.
It was Hopkins who was the provider for the hard-working Patton who scored a lovely volley from her corner – a just reward for Patton who had another fine game at right back, working the channel and linking up well with Hopkins throughout the night.
Ella Black played some nice football during the game with Amy Callaghan breaking away on numerous occasions only for her shots to go narrowly wide of the post.
Bonagee added a fifth and Hopkins got her second of the night when she latched onto a ball in the midfield and went one-on-one with the Swilly keeper and finished into the corner.
Cliodhna Patton was player of the Match.
Raphoe Town 0 Mulroy Academy 3
A hat-trick from Megan McLoughlin proved to be the difference on Friday night as Mulroy took all three points from their visit to Raphoe.
The visitors were stronger throughout but found a Raphoe defence marshalled superbly by Shania McMonagle and Rocha McCullagh, hard to break down.
Mulroy did have one chance to break the dealock in the 18th minute but Tianna Hannigan made a superb save.
The deadlock was finally broken when Megan McLoughlin’s superb in-swinging corner found the net despite the last ditch attempt to clear by the Raphoe defence.
With six U12s in their side the Raphoe girls tired in the second half and Mulroy – who played some super football on the night – were able to find more ways through.
Megan McLoughlin nipped in behind the defence to smash home the second ten minutes into the second half and four minutes later she completed her hat trick with another fine goal.
Raphoe battled bravely to the end but were unable to muster a reply and Mulroy held on for the win.
UNDER-16
Raphoe Town 5 Finn Valley 1
A brace of goals apiece from Codie Walsh and Ella McHugh helped Raphoe to a good win against a hard working young Finn Valley side on Thursday night.
Raphoe took the lead in the 9th minute when Holly Johnston’s through ball split the Valley defence and Walsh raced through to score.
Her second was a carbon copy, this time Cora McBride supplying the pass and Walsh finding the net with a cool finish.
Valley’s persistence paid off when a Raphoe defender turned the ball into her own net to leave it 2-1 at half time.
In the second half Walsh turned provider to set up Ella McHugh for a couple of good goals while the Valley ‘keeper and the woodwork prevented Raphoe from adding more.
Raphoe captain Abbie McKnight did finish the scoring though in the final few minutes, racing in from the left wing to slide the ball home from close range to make it 5-1.
Mulroy Academy 7 Bonagee United 0
Mulroy welcomed Bonagee to Traigh-A-Loch on great evening for a game of football.
Mulroy started the stronger of both teams and were creating chances from the start. It took a brilliant free kick from Caoimhne Heron to open the scoring.
Mulroy needed that goal to settle them as Bonagee were applying pressure. The second goal soon followed when Rachel Friel played a through ball to Megan McLaughlin who kept her composure to finish well.
Clodagh Heron got on the scoresheet just before half time with a brilliant finish.
Bonagee were creating chances but the back line for Mulroy were solid with Leah McLaughlin, Olivia Friel, Aoife Sweeney, Alannah Friel and Kate McAdoo having overall great performances on the night.
The second half saw Mulroy start strong and pick up from where they left off applying the pressure from the start.
Bonagee were creating good wide play through Hannah Hopkins who had a good game on the night for Bonagee.
Caoimhne Heron and Megan McLaughlin got on the scoresheet again in the second half to complete a hat-trick each.
Rachel Friel had a brilliant game for Mulroy creating a lot of possession for Mulroy.
