A CRACKING Donegal Schools Under-17 match finished all square between Loreto, Letterkenny and Deele College this afternoon.
Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny 2 Deele College, Raphoe 2
There was nothing to separate two evenly-matched teams in an end-to-end contest.
The game was in the balance right until the end with a share of the spoils deserved.
Deele took the lead when Ella McHugh was quickest to react in a crowded goalmouth. McHugh, daughter of former Finn Harps star Kevin, fired past Emma Doherty from close range.
Nicole McDaid tested Tianna Hannigan from just inside the box, but the young Deele ‘keeper saved superbly.
Deele, with the likes of Ellie Barron, McHugh – who always looked dangerous – and Iesha Kelly involved, threatened to get in behind again, but Caitlin Hume and Aibhe McDaid had the Loreto defence well marshalled.
Hannah Hopkins and Gaby O’Donnell were dangerous for the home side, but Deele’s defence stood strong.
Loreto drew level just 40 seconds into the second half when Katelyn Doherty struck.
Hannah Hopkins almost put Loreto ahead, but her shot from the right-hand side crashed against the bar.
While the in-form Hannigan kept Deele on level terms, Loreto were in front when Doherty raced in to score her second.
Loreto looked like they might hang on for a win, but Deele levelled the game when Lucy Canning shot home from a 20-yard free kick.
There was chances at either end and Loreto might have snatched it. Ailisha Tobin fired just wide after a strong run through the middle by the lively Amy Callaghan.
Right at the end, Aibhe McDaid powered her way through from defence and another effort by Tobin from distance came back from the crossbar.
