New era begins as John McNulty names Donegal team for Division 2 opener

Donegal manager John McNulty has named his side to face Laois in the opening round of their Division 2 league campaign. 
 
Kilcar’s Eva Gallagher is set to make her senior starting debut this weekend at half-forward following on from her successful 2023 campaign where she captured an All-Ireland Minor C title with Donegal last August. 
 
McNulty takes over from Maxi Curran, who spent six years at the helm as Donegal boss, where he guided the green and gold to three Ulster titles. 
 
After failing to win a single league match last season and getting relegated to the second tier, the Kilcar native hopes to start off on the right track this Sunday at Laois’s Centre of Excellence 
 
Laois contested the 2023 Division 2 Final, losing out to Armagh, and will be hoping for another strong run. 
 
Niamh McLaughlin returns as Donegal captain and hopes to guide what is a rather young squad, following the departure of key players such as Karen Guthrie, Yvonne Bonner, Emer Gallagher, Nicole McLaughlin, Geraldine McLaughlin, Roisin McCafferty, Tanya Kennedy, Shelly Twohig and Niamh Hegarty – all who played in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Meath in 2022. 
  
Donegal: Clare Friel (Gaeil Fhánada); Shannon McLaughlin (Termon), Abigail Temple Asokuh (MacCumhaill’s), Evelyn McGinley (Termon); Shauna McFadden (St Eunan’s), Nicole Gordon (Urris), Tara Hegarty (Moville); Roisín Rodgers (Naomh Mhuire), Niamh Boyle (St Naul’s); Eva Gallagher (Kilcar), Niamh McLaughlin (Moville) (capt), Katie Dowds (MacCumhaill’s); Susanne White (Killybegs), Katy Herron (Glenfin), Amy Boyle Carr (Naomh Conaill).