The action continues apace in the Donegal Women’s Leagues with goals galore across all the Leagues.
The Under-12 League will resume June 12 as there are no games on Bank Holiday Monday. The Under-14 League will break for Gaynor Cup preparations after the series of games on June 7, while the Under-16 League is now on a break until June 30 due to the State Examinations and the Gaynor Cup.
Pictured above: The Mulroy Academy (M) squad who scored seven on Monday night.
DONEGAL WOMEN’S LEAGUE UNDER-12 LEAGUE
Illistrin FC 4 Kilmacrennan Celtic 0
Thankfully the rain eased at the start of this game and both teams played out a great match.
The home team started brightly but Kilmacrennan were always dangerous on the break.
Illistrin were dominating the possession but the Kilmacrennan defence stood strong with defender Siobhan Cameron and goalkeeper Eilish Russell in particular playing well.
Illistrin took the lead in the 15th minute when defender Erika Gallagher made a great tackle in her own half before breaking up the left side.
Her speculative shot found its way to the far corner of the net when it zipped of the wet surface. It was soon 2-0 when Nicole McDaid’s looping shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance.
Darcey Kelly and Grace Nugent were defending very well against the Kilmacrennan forwards throughout the first half.
The away team grew into the game more in the second half and, with Siobhan Cameron in midfield, they carried more threat going forward.
Claire Gallagher and Sarah McGinley were combining well with Sarah Robinson for Illistrin.
For Kilmacrennan Meabh Brady, Sarah McFadden, and Lauren Doherty were playing well.
Ciara Molloy gave the home team some breathing space when her long range effort deceived the Kilmacrennan keeper.
Alexandra O’Donnell made some great saves in the second half as the visitors went in search of a goal and some good defending by Meabh Devenney, Aoife Toye, and Aobha Harrigan kept the score at 3-0.
Ciara Molloy scored her second goal with 10 minutes to go with a great long range effort.
Myah McBride and Leanne McGettigan went close to adding to the score near the end but Eilish Russell made some great saves.
It was a very sporting game and well refereed by Frank Duffy.
Lagan Harps 5 Mulroy Academy (S) 1
Lagan U12 girls had a fine win on Monday evening against the young Mulroy Academy (S) squad. L
agan dominated the first half with Harriett McCrossan scoring twice, and Erin Doherty, Tanya Gillen and Kelsey Coll all scoring one each.
Emma Gribben came close after a great run down the right but Leah McLoughlin made a great save.
Sinead Deasley had two fine long range shots just over the bar while there was some solid defending by Leesha Kelly and Chantel Peoples.
Lagan changed things in second half with the introduction of Sophie Canning, Mia Devenney, Kelsey Gallagher, Shauna O’Donnell and Amy Doherty who all did well. Mulroy got a hold of game in the second half with Aoife Sweeney, Kellie Carr and Meghan McLoughlin solid in defence, the engine of the team Jessica Coll and Eva Blaney working hard in mid field.
With ten minutes gone in the second half, Mulroy were credited with the only goal of the second half when a cross from Meghan was headed into the net by the determined Jessica Coll.
Olivia Friel had a fine effort saved by Lagan keeper Aoife Sweeney.
Kate McAteer, Hannah Gibbons and Kate McAdoo also did well for Mulroy.
Raphoe Town 2 Bonagee United 2
A last-minute Grace Murphy equaliser rescued a draw for Bonagee United at Raphoe on Monday night.
Bonagee were on top in a hard-fought encounter at Deele College. Katherine Hopkins shot the Bonagee side in front from close range after Raphoe failed to clear.
The second half was a different story and it didn’t take long for Samara McBrearty to draw Raphoe level.
Raphoe dominated the second half and Rocha McCullagh put them in front with a well-deserved goal.
However, with just seconds remaining, Murphy popped up to level the tie.
Gweedore United 0 Mulroy Academy (M) 7
Mulroy Academy M had a magnificent seven at Gweedore United on Monday night.
Their goalkeeper, Hannah Gallagher, was in top form at one end of the field while Bryonna McGovern and Emma McGrenaghan were dominating the play.
The goalscorers for Mulroy M were Clodagh Heron (3), Rachel Friel (2) and Iseult Ni Mhatana (2).
TERRY LEYDEN UNDER-14 LEAGUE
Mulroy Academy 0 Illistrin 3
Illistrin came away from Rabs Park with the points in this Under-14 game that was moved to Sunday.
Paddy McDaid’s team continued their good form this season as they maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Aisling Coll, Sinead McBride and Orla Gallagher hit the goals for the Illistrin side as they hit top spot. Coll and McBride had them two in front before half time and, with ten minutes remaining, Gallagher made safe the win.
ARENA 7 UNDER-16 LEAGUE
Swilly Rovers 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic 3
Aoife Kelly had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, which was well saved by Allanah McFadden.
Aisling Irwin for Swilly sent a through to Molly Diver in the middle who played out to Orlaith Connolly who shot was well saved by Amy McLaughlin in the Kilmac net.
In the 25th minute, Helena McGee scored for Kilmac. She scored a second goal two minutes later.
Just before half time Molly Diver took the ball down in the middle of the field and lobbed it over the head of the Kilmac ‘keeper.
Ten minutes into the second half, Kilmac got their third from Ciara McGarvey.
In the 70th minute, Kelsey McAteer scored for Swilly.
Kilmac had a chance with few minutes remaining only for Ciara McElwaine to put it wide of the post.
Bonagee United 0 Lagan Harps 4
Lagan Harps maintained their pursuit at the summit of the Under-16 League on Friday night with a fine win over Bonagee at Dry Arch Park.
A brace each from Bronagh Gallagher and Orla McGrath sees the Lagan side hot on the coattails of Mulroy. Gallagher and McGrath netted doubles in what was a superb team display by the Orchard Park girls.
RESULTS
Donegal Women’s League Under-12 League
Monday, May 29
Raphoe Town 2 Bonagee United 2
Illistrin 0 Kilmacrennan 0
Gweedore United 0 Mulroy Academy M 7
Lagan Harps 5 Mulroy Academy S 1
Terry Leyden Under-14 League
Sunday, May 28
Mulroy Academy 0 Illistrin 3
Arena 7 Under-16 League
Friday, May 26
Silly Rovers 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic 3
Bonagee United 0 Lagan Harps 4
FIXTURES
Terry Leyden Under-14 League
Wednesday, May 31, 6.30pm
Swilly Rovers v Gweedore United
Raphoe Town v Finn Valley
Bonagee United v Lagan Harps
* The Donegal Women’s League, Under-12 League will resume on Monday, June 12
* The Arena 7 Under-16 League will resume on Friday, June 30
FIXTURE NOTICE
From June 1, all underage games in the Donegal Women’s League will kick off at 7.30pm. This arrangement will be in place until the end of the season.
PRO NOTICE
Clubs are reminded to submit match results and match reports to the Donegal Women’s League PRO on 087-9499073 or by email to chrismcnulty86@gmail.com Penalties will be imposed for non compliance.