There were five hat-tricks scored on Monday night in the latest round of games in the Donegal Women’s League Under-12 League.
Kilmacrennan Celtic’s Siobhan Cameron went one better, mind, as she scored four in her side’s stunning comeback win over Gweedore United, who went three-up early on with an Orla Doyle hat-trick.
Grace Murphy’s treble fired Bonagee to their first win of the season at Finn Valley, Harriet McCrossan’s trio saw Lagan continue their good form with a win at Mulroy M and Aobha Harrigan netted three as Illistrin won well in Raphoe.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 5 Gweedore United 4
This game started at a fast pace with both teams having possession in midfield.
Gweedore took the lead on five minutes when the excellent Orla Doyle broke through the Kilmacrennan defence to slot past the keeper.
Kilmacrennan nearly got back on terms when Sarah McFadden struck the crossbar with a super free kick.
Gweedore took control with Doyle adding two more goals
Kilmac reshuffled and soon Siobhan Cameron stepped up with three superb solo efforts and the sides were back level.
Thinking the hard work was done Kilmac sat back and Gweedore punished with a great strike from Mary Ann Ward.
Again Cameron got on the ball, powered forward and crossed for Maeve Brady to slot home at the far post for 4-4.
Everyone was happy to share the points but Cameron had other ideas scoring in the dying minutes with another powerful run and shot.
It was a brilliant game for all there to see it.
Cameron was the player of the match but Gweedore can be proud of their efforts.
Raphoe Town 0 Illistrin FC 6
A hat-trick from Aobha Harrigan helped Illistrin to a comprehensive victory over a young Raphoe Town side at Deele College on Monday night and from the outset there was never any danger of a shock.
The visitors took the lead in the second minute and by half-time they were three goals to the good.
Nicole McDaid, Erica Gallagher and Claire Gallagher were the other goalscorers on the night for an Illistrin team who played some really excellent football on the night.
Raphoe battled hard throughout and led by captain Shania McMonagle they also played some good football.
Ella McCarron had an excellent game, while Muireann O’Donnell made some good stops and Sadie Logan some fantastic tackles at the heart of the defence.
Samara McBrearty and Marie Sweeney also combined well at times, but with more than half their squad still U10 the young Raphoe side were no match in the end for the very impressive Illistrin girls.
Finn Valley 1 Bonagee United 5
A strong performance from Bonagee gave them their first win of the season with three first half goals from Hannah Hopkins and Grace Murphy (2).
The lighter Valley team gave a good gutsy performance throughout and created plenty of chances which they just couldn’t convert.
Bonagee United Under-12s
Tara Kate Geoghegan broke through early in the second half for the Finn-siders and finished with great aplomb much to the delight of the large home support. Valley continued to attack but were caught on the break later in the half with Hopkins and Murphy adding to their tally.
Valley were well served by Sheila McElchar, Abigail Temple-Asokah and Tara Kate Geoghegan but all in all its was a good team performance by the home team.
Bonagee’s goals were well taken by Hannah Hopkins and Grace Murphy and others to excel were Eva Harvey in defence and Amy Callaghan in midfield. Alisha Alcorn was solid in goals for the visitors and distributed the ball well.
Finn Valley Under-12s
Gweedore Celtic 1 Mulroy Academy S 3
Gweedore Celtic took on Mulroy on a blustery Monday evening. In the first half, Gweedore Celtic had the wind behind them but it was Mulroy that started well and had a number of chances early on.
The Celts defence were excellent throughout the match with sisters Bridin, Maria and Caitlin McCombs working really hard, as did the goalkeeper Mary Kate McGinley, who prevented a number of chances going in.
Gweedore worked hard in midfield and found themselves on up midway through the first half with a great goal from Maeve Boyle.
Gweedore kept the pressure on looking for that second goal with a number of chance going wide.
Mulroy’s defence stood strong with Kelly Carr, Meabh McAteer and Aoife Sweeney playing fantastic.
The second half seen Mulroy come out and play attacking football and it wasn’t long before the sides were level with a goal from Megan McLaughlin.
Mulroy keep the pressure on and Gweedore found it hard to move forward with Mulroy taking every opportunity to keep the ball in the oppositions half and they got their second goal with Leah McLaughlin putting them ahead.
Gweedore found it hard to get the momentum back but tried their best to get another goal.
However, it was Mulroy who got last goal of the game coming from a penalty taken by Megan McLaughlin and she made sure it went into the back of the net.
Mulroy Academy M 1 Lagan Harps 4
Lagan Harps continued with their winning streak when they beat Mulroy M 4 goals to 1 in Rabs Park, Kerrykeel.
A good competitive game in the first half, which saw Lagan getting on the score sheet after just five minutes, followed closely by a Mulroy M equalsier from Clodagh Heron.
The first half ended one-all.
Lagan came out fighting in the second half and scored their second goal of the match just two mins in.
Mulroy were unable to resist the determination of Lagan and with good balls through the middle by Lagan saw them take two more goals.
Both teams gave fine performances:, Aalya playing well for Lagan when she came on and Sinead was strong in the midfield. Catherine, Rachel and Hannah worked hard for Mulroy.
Harriet McCrossan continued her fine form with a hat-trick for Lagan and Kelsey Coll netted the other.
RESULTS
Monday
Finn Valley 1 Bonagee United 5
Gweedore Celtic 1 Mulroy Academy S 3
Mulroy Academy M 1 Lagan Harps 4
Kilmacrennan Celtic 5 Gweedore United 4
Raphoe Town 0 Illistrin FC 6
- The Under-12 League will resume again on Monday, May 29
| U12 League | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Lagan Harps | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 15 | 9 |
| Mulroy M | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 9 |
| Illistrin | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Kilmacrennan Celtic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 9 |
| Mulroy S | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 6 |
| Gweedore United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 4 |
| Gweedore Celtic | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 4 |
| Bonagee United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 3 |
| Swilly Rovers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 3 |
| Raphoe Town | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 3 |
| Finn Valley | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | -14 | 0 |
TOP GOALSCORERS
Harriett McCrossan (Lagan Harps) 9
Siobhan Cameron (Kilmacrennan Celtic) 7
Clodagh Herron (Mulroy Academy M) 6
Erin Doherty (Lagan Harps) 5
Maeve Boyle (Gweedore Celtic) 4
Rachel Friel (Mulroy Academy M) 4
Aobha Harrigan (Illistrin) 4
Hannah Hopkins (Bonagee United) 4
Grace Murphy (Bonagee United) 4
Iseult Ni Mhatuna (Mulroy Academy M) 4
