SHANNON MCBRIDE was on the double as the Donegal Women’s League under-18s defeated the Galway Women’s League at The Lakeside in Ballyshannon.
Donegal Women’s League Under-18s 2 Galway Women’s League 0
The Glenree United player netted twice in the second half to get their FAI Under-18 North-West Group campaign off to a winning started.
School exams this incoming week meant that Donegal were missing a few bodies and international call-ups for Lagan Harps duo Zoe Green and Caoimhe Walsh meant that they were unavailable.
Donegal opted to play against the wind in the first half.
Grainne Gallagher and Chantelle Kelly marshalled the Donegal defence and restricted Galway’s Eimear O’Kane to long range shots which were comfortable taken by Amy Boyd.
On 27 minutes, Ciara Duffy and Orla Friel worked well on the right before passing to Saorla McGarrigle whose shot was saved by Amy Healy.
Good combination play between Erin Coll and Ciana Brogan sent Amanda Callaghan clear down the left on 35 minutess with her cross falling to McBride but Healy made a good save from close range.
Donegal dominated for long periods of the second half and Brogan got on ball more with great vision past out left to McBride who shot from the corner of the 18 to the top corner just before the hour mark.
Donegal pressed forward again with Aine Deasley cross met by Boyd, who rounded the defender but her shot hit side netting.
Grace Kilmore for Galway made a good run down the middle but the past was intercepted by Gallagher who cleared the danger.
Healy pulled of a great save from a Brogan shot, but McBride made safe the win three minutes from the end with her second goal.
Grainne Gallagher, Chantel Kelly and Orla Friel had all good games but referee James Malseed awarded the player of the game to double goal scorer McBride.
Next up for the Donegal side is a home game against Mayo next weekend.
Donegal Women’s League Under-18s: Amy Boyd, Áine Deasley, Erin Coll, Grainne Gallagher, Chantel Kelly, Orla Friel, Amanda Callaghan, Ciana Brogan, Ciara Duffy, Shannon McBride, Saorla McGarrigle.
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