Donegal finished league on a high as they edged past Tipperary in Division 2 win

Donegal survived a late scare to finish their Division 2 National League programme on a high note taking full points from Tipperary in a fine contest at Fethard on Sunday.

The win was not enough to secure a promotion spot for Donegal but they finished a very creditable third in the table and are well-primed for their opening championship tie against Armagh.

Their big concern will be the concession of three first-half goals which put them on the back foot for a considerable time. Firstly the defence was shredded by a Tipperary foray which saw Angela McGuigan finish to the met after seven minutes.

Katy Herron had a 10th-minute goal for Donegal, who were caught napping again moments later as Neassa Towey netted for Tipp after 12 minutes.

Suzanne White had a couple of points for Donegal who once more had their lines breached before half-time, with Marie Creedon netting for Tipperary who led 3-1 to 1-3 at the break.

Donegal tightened up in defence on resuming but was finding it difficult to break down a solid Tipp backline.

The hosts lost goalkeeper Ciara Dwan for a 48th-minute foul and the extra player saw Donegal get a grip, with White twice pointing before Niamh McLaughlin raced through for a Donegal goal in the 54th-minute for the away side to gain a 2-8 to 3-3 lead.

Donegal had Shannon McLaughlin sidelined after 55 minutes and they had their backs to the wall at the end as they tried to hold onto their lead. Aisling Moloney pointed for Tipp on the hour but in injury time Donegal goalkeeper Clare Friel brilliantly saved a shot at goal from Tipp’s Angela McGuigan to deny the Munster side the victory.

Scorers - Donegal: Suzanne White 0-6, 3fs; Katy Herron and Niamh McLaughlin 1-0 each; Niamh Boyle and katie Long 0-1 each. Tipperary: Neassa Towey, Angela McGuigan and Marie Creedon 1-0 each; Aisling Moloney 2fs, and Anna Rose Kennedy 0-2 each.

Donegal: Clare Friel; Shannon McLaughlin, Laoise Ryan, Evelyn McGinley; Caoimhe Keon, Patrice Boyle, Tara Hegarty; Roisin Rodgers, Niamh Boyle; Jodie McFadden, Niamh McLaughlin, Katie Long; Susanne White, Katy Herron, Amy Boyle-Carr. Subs: Lezza Cunningham for P Boyle (42mins).

Tipperary: Ciara Dwan; Cliona O Dwyer, Nora Martin, Emma Cronin; Sarah English, Maria Curley, Katelyn Downey; Laura Morrissey, Anna Rose Kennedy; Heather Spillane, Aisling Moloney, Anna Downey; Neassa Towey, Angela McGuigan, Marie Creedon. Subs: Emma Morrissey for Downey(h/t), Clara English for Spillane(h/t), Lauren Fitzpatrick for Creedon (47mins), Emer McCarthy (52mins).

Referee: Shane Curley