Finn Valley came out on top in this tight end to end encounter for the Donegal Women’s League U12 Charity Shield which was an excellent advertisement for girls football in front of a large crowd at Ballyare on Monday evening.
Ballyraine 1 Finn Valley 2
The visitors started strongly with a lot of pressure and India Falls causing lots of problems but Niamh McLaughlin was in excellent form in defence for Ballyraine while Jessica Patton pulled off a number of good saves.
Finn Valley finally broke the deadlock with Abigh McMenamin giving them the lead direct from a corner.
Ballyraine came out all guns blazing in the second half with Emer Cassidy and Mya McMonagle getting on top in midfield.
However Finn Valley doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty that was coolly dispatched by Abigh McMenamin for her second of the night.
Cara Shiels then pulled one back for Ballyraine when she finished well from 10 yards.
It led to a grandstand finish with Ballyraine piling on the pressure but Finn Valley held on with Marie Kelly, Anna Dowds and Caoimhe McNulty holding firm in defence for a hard fought victory with Leah Lawne collecting the shield on behalf of her team.
