Just as the Under-14 League is going to a play-off between Illistrin FC and Lagan Harps, the same two clubs will have to be separated in a play-off to determine the winners of the Donegal Women’s League’s Under-12 League.
Both sides won 5-1 on Monday evening, Illistrin getting the better of Gweedore United and Lagan overcoming Swilly Rovers. It means there was nothing between them at the end of the regular League season and a play-off, to be held in September, will now be required.
Illistrin FC 5 Gweedore United 1
Both teams played their final league game in fine conditions at the Illistrin pitch on a lovely evening.
The home side settled quickly into their passing game and created a couple of early chances with Myah McBride and Sarah McGinley going close.
Illistrin (pictured above) broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Sarah McGinley played a great through ball to Claire Gallagher and she dribbled well before finishing neatly to the net.
McGinley turned provider again soon after when she played Nicole McDaid through this time and she made no mistake.
The away team, Gweedore United, kept battling hard in the first half with Mary Ann Ward and Aoife Ferry playing very well.
However, Illistrin extended their lead before half time with two goals from Ciara Molloy. Â The first resulted from her inswinging corner that found the net and the second found the roof of the net after a great shot.
The home team continued to dominate in the second half but Gweedore’s Aoife Ferry and Illistrin’s Erika Gallagher were having a great battle at the other end of the pitch as Gweedore tried to hit Illistrin on the break.
Kiera Breslin made a great run down the right for Illistrin and her cross found Sarah McGinley.
McGinley provided another important assist as she passed to Nicole McDaid who scored from the edge of the box.
Indeed, Gweedore’s keeper Nadia McGee was having a great second half and denied Leanne McGettigan, Sarah Robinson, and Ciara Molloy from extending the lead for Illistrin.
Aoife Ferry got a well-deserved goal for Gweedore when she broke through the defence and finished in stylel. Â Soon after Aoibhin Randles made a great save for Illistrin.
Lagan Harps 5 Swilly Rovers 1
Lagan U12 girls won the last league game on Monday evening defeating Swilly 5-1. With all results same as Illistrin the League title will be decided on a play-off.
The opener came when Sinead Deasley slotted a through ball to Harriett McCrossan with her shot going in under Aine Connolly in the Swilly net.
Aine had an amazing game making five or six top class saves throughout the evening.
Harriett made it two after good work by Tanya Gillen on the right. Erin Doherty scored the third with a long-range shot.
Swilly’s Heather McLaughlin and Julieanne O’Hanlon pressed Lagan and pushed them back into defence with Kirsten Stewart going close only for excellent defending by Iesha Kelly and Emma Gribben.
With minutes remaining to half time, with the Swilly keeper on the ground, the ball fell to Mia Devenney whose excellent shot seemed to be going in top corner, but Emily Irwin headed clear with a more impressive header.
Emily worked tirelessly all evening and controlled the Swilly defence.
In the second half Kelsey Coll sent A’alya Mustafa through who rounded the defender but another great save by Aine.
Swilly got their just rewards for hard work when Tamara Blaney linked up the Eimear Blaney who’s fine shot when in past Amy Doherty in the Lagan net.
With 15 minutes remaining Chantel Dealsey made a good run down the left and pushed ball into the advancing run of Harriett McCrossan, who finished from close range.
Harriett got her fourth when Zarah Gibson and Shauna O’Donnell linked up before sending Harriett clear to calmly finish.
Raphoe Town 2 Gweedore Celtic 3
Two goals from Chloe McCole and a good strike from Meave Boyle helped Gweedore Celtic to a fine victory over Raphoe Town in a cracking game played at Deele College on Monday night.
Raphoe had taken the lead early in the game when fine work from Ella McHugh and Aine O’Flanagan started a move that saw Marie Sweeney smash home from close range.
The home side had chances to extend their lead but the Gweedore goalkeeper was in fine form and made some excellent stops, and once the visitors found their stride they raced into a 3-1 lead at the break with those goals from McCole and Boyle.
It was a far tighter affair in the second half, Ella McHugh playing some excellent stuff for Raphoe and they forced their way back when Alicia McCullagh found the net after a good flowing move from the home team.
The same player had earlier hit the post and Raphoe pressed hard for an equaliser in a riveting second half, but Gweedore defended well and attacked with speed on the break and in the end managed to hold on to a fine win.
Mulroy Academy M 4 Bonagee United 1
Mulroy M finished off their last league game with a fine win over Bonagee in Triagh-A-Locha on Monday evening.
Rachel Friel gave Mulroy M the lead with a well taken goal.
Bonagee goalkeeper Alyeshia ALcorn made a few excellent saves through out the game. The second goal came from Clodagh Heron with a great cross from Iseult Ni Mhathuna.
Mulroy M were leading 2-0 at half time and looked very comfortable. Brianna McGovern came on as sub for Catherine Mcbride who has improved with every game.
Emma McGrenaghan and Rachel Friel worked hard on the left of midfield to get the ball to clodagh who scored her second of the match. Fair play to Bonagee who never gave up and Hannah Hopkins got the visitors on the score board to make it 3-1.
Sophie Gallagher was solid all evening in defence with Emma hunter and Bronnagh Duffy to deny Bonagee any more goals. Eva Harvey was great in the Bonagee defence but Heron still managed to get her hatrick to end the game 4-1.
Grace Murphy and Catherine Hopkins did well for Bonagee. Credit to Mulroy M keeper Hannah Gallagher who was injured, but did great throughout the game.
Finn Valley 0 Mulroy Academy S 3
Mulroy got of to a super start in Finn Valley.
Jessica Coll & Megan McLaughlin started a talented combination tag team with Eva Blaney making a pivital cross that saw Jessica Coll crack home a power goal.
Eva Blaney had a point to prove and a draw was not going be a option for her. She took advantage of her speed and with her usual style landed home number two for Mulroy.
Megan McLaughlin scored a stunning third goal for Mulroy, pulling one right out of the top drawer.
DONEGAL WOMEN’S LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wedndesday, August 16, 6.30pm
Under-14 Cup/Shield/Plate semi-finals
Illistrin FC v Swilly Rovers
Lagan Harps v Finn Valley
Mulroy Academy v Bonagee United
Raphoe Town – Bye
* Plate, Shield, Cup finals on Saturday, August 26
Friday, August 18
Under-16 Shield Final, 6.30pm, Dry Arch Park
Lagan Harps v Finn Valley
Dessie Kelly Under-16 Cup Final, 8.30pm, Dry Arch Park
Mulroy Academy v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Monday, August 21, 6.30pm
Under-12 Cup/Shield/Plate/Rosebowl semi-finals
Lagan Harps v Mulroy Academy S
Illistrin v Mulroy Academy M
Bonagee United v Swilly Rovers
Gweedore Celtic v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Wednesday, August 23, 6.30pm
Under-16 Plate Final
Swilly Rovers v Bonagee United
Monday, August 28, 6.30
Under-12 League, Charity Shield, at Cappry Park, in aid of Bumbleance
Raphoe Town v Finn Valley
Wednesday, August 30, 6,30pm
Terry Leyden Under-14 League, League play-off, at Leckview Park
Illistrin FC v Lagan Harps
Monday, September 11, 6.30pm
Under-12 League play-off, at Leckview Park
Lagan Harps v Illistrin FC