THE Donegal Women’s League’s new under-19/senior league began in sweltering heat on Monday evening.
Pictures by Joe Boland, North West Newspix
Bonagee United defeated Drumbar United 3-1 while Lagan Harps won 4-2 against Raphoe Town. Drumbar were appearing at this level for the first time with Raphoe making their return after an absence of a number of years.
At Dry Arch Park, Deborah Kerrigan scored twice for Bonagee United as they began with a hard-earned win over Drumbar United.
On their first outing in senior football, Drumbar gave a fine account and made life difficult for Bonagee.
The home side began superbly with Kerrigan firing in an early opener.
However, Drumbar responded within minutes as Jodie Walker’s cracking shot from wide on the left flew beyond Emma Doherty, the Bonagee goalkeeper.
Bonagee went close with Gabrielle O’Donnell getting in behind, but Drumbar goalkeeper Sarah Canny saved.
Kerrigan shot off target while Chantelle Grant’s thumping effort crashed back off the underside of the Drumbar crossbar. Late in the first half. Eimear O’Herlihy fired into the side netting.
Lily Steele and Shauna Gallagher were strong for Drumbar, but they were powerless when O’Herlihy put Bonagee ahead with a superb effort early in the second half.
Soon after, Kerrigan rolled home her second and Bonagee’s third.
Bonagee were led by the excellent Caitlín Hume for an opening win.
Raphoe Town
Aine Deasley was on the double as Lagan Harps won 4-2 against the returned Raphoe Town.
In a pulsating game, Ella McHugh fired Raphoe in front early in the game.
However, the teams were level at the break as Zoe Green’s superb goal equalised for Lagan.
Another fine effort, this one by Nadine Crawford, put Lagan in front and Deasley netted from a corner to extend the lead.
Caoimhe Harvey’s strike brought Raphoe back into it, but Deasley’s second, with ten minutes to go, secured the win for the visitors.
