Craig the hat-trick hero as Donegal U14s win an All-Ireland camogie title

The Donegal Under-14 camogie team were celebrating All-Ireland glory yesterday.

Donegal defeated Louth in the Division 5 final in Dublin.

After defeating Cavan, Carlow and Monaghan to top their group, they took out Down in the semi-final.

And in the final, the Tir Chonaill girls were 4-5 to 3-2 winners.

Avril Craig netted the first Donegal goal and the determination of Sadhbh Mullan and Eimear Eimear Ní Bhaoighil kept Louth at bay.

Craig netted her second goal, via a superb ground strike.

Roisin Buckley scored a perfect point while under pressure from three Louth defenders.

Buckley added two more points and Donegal were 2-5 to 0-1 ahead at half-time.

Louth hit two goals early in the second half, but Donegal hit back as Ellen Canavan netted just after being brought into the action.

Lily Doherty and Maria Kealy added to the scoresheet with a point each.

Louth responded with another goal but Craig answered this by running through the Louth back line to seal her hat-trick.

The Donegal girls came through with the final score 4-5 to Louth 3-2.

Manager Laurence Doherty credited the success for this All-Ireland win to the commitment of this group of girls to their county training. Doherty acknowledged the depth of panel needed for this competition and the contribution made by each and every girl on this U14 county team.

Donegal squad: Alana Brown (St Eunan’s), Ellen Canavan (Four Masters), Avril Craig (Burt), Sophia Deehan (Burt), Lily Doherty (Four Masters), Tori Ellis (Letterkenny Gaels), Clodagh Ellison (St Eunan’s), Rihanna Gallagher (Carndonagh), Maria Kealy (St Eunan’s), Caoimhe Lynch (Burt), Sinéad MacIntyre (St Eunan’s), Mary Kate McCrossan (Carndonagh), Sadhbh McGrath (Burt), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh), Elishia Moyne (Carndonagh), Sadhbh Mullan (Carndonagh), Meabh Neill (Four Masters), Eimear Ní Bhaoighil (Letterkenny Gaels), Róisín Ní Bhuachalla (Four Mastes), Eimear O’Donnell (Carndonagh), Siobhan O’Donnell (St Eunan’s), Alisha Tobin (St Eunan’s), Blaithin Toland (Carndonagh), Kate Tourish (Burt), Brianna Tully (Carndonagh), Zoe Whoriskey (Burt).

Mentors: Laurence Doherty, Marie Moyne, Claire MCDermott, Joe Kealy, Shirley Doherty.