LAGAN HARPS’ grip on the Donegal Women’s League is showing no signs of loosening after an emphatic win over Glenree United at Orchard Park.
Lagan Harps 5 Glenree United 0
All the goals arrived in the first half with Amy Boyd’s brace going alongside strikes by Ciana Brogan, Nadine Crawford and Amanda Callaghan.
Bríd McGinty’s team had the foot off the gas in the second half, but had the work done by the time the oranges were peeled at the interval.
[adrotate group=”37″]Cathal McGinley’s Glenree, to their eternal credit, never gave in and Julie Trearty almost bagged a goal late in the day, but Niamh Mailey palmed her attempt over the crossbar.
A few of Glenree’s players were leg weary from their exploits in the Under-16 Gaynor Cup at the weekend and ruthless Lagan took advantage.
It did take them 23 minutes before Brogan curled in a sumptuous opener. Crawford took a corner short on the left-hand side and Brogan wonderfully sailed a shot across Claire Friel and into the net.
Before even Glenree could draw breath, Lagan had their lead doubled as Boyd raced through and deftly touched past Friel from a long ball by Chantel Kelly.
[adrotate group=”70″]But for Friel, the ordeal would have been greater for Glenree.
The goalkeeper saved well from Brogan after she was played in by Caroline Gallagher, whose influence on the game grew after the early stages.
Gallagher might have put Lagan ahead after six minutes, but a superb save by Friel kept her at bay when the Buncrana native surged into the box.
Gallagher twice tested Friel from distance, but the Glenree ‘keeper saved on both occasions.
It had been Glenree who had the first openings of the night, but Brenda Sweeney was twice thwarted by Mailey from good positions.
And yet, by the time Marty Quinn blew for half-time, Glenree were a handful behind.
Lagan’s third arrived just past the half-hour as Boyd clipped in from close range.
Two minutes later, Crawford’s speculative effort from distance beat Friel and the gracenote arrived late in the half when Callaghan tapped in when Friel couldn’t hold onto Gallagher’s drive.
[adrotate group=”74″]Brogan warmed Friel’s palms three times in the second half and Michelle Kelly also went close to adding to the tally, but Lagan had inflicted enough damage and another big win was claimed by the Manorcunningham representatives.
Lagan Harps: Niamh Mailey, Aine Deasley, Kaneshia McKinney, Chantel Kelly (Aoife Page), Michelle Kelly, Caroline Gallagher, Amanda Callaghan, Nadine Crawford, Amy Boyd, Ciana Brogan.
Glenree United: Claire Friel, Siobhan Sweeney, JJ McGinley, Niamh McDevitt, Emer Trearty, Noelle McMenamin, Hannah Shiels, Orla McGonigle, Brenda Sweeney, Julie Trearty.
Referee: Marty Quinn.
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