Waterford advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals as Donegal crash out

Waterford are through to the quarter-finals of the TG4 All Ireland SFC for the first time since 2021 as they overcame John McNulty’s side who now bow out of the championship for this season and head to a relegation play-off. 

Eve Power’s first-half goal propelled Pat Sullivan’s team to victory under the sunny skies at Walsh Park. Emma Fitzgerald, making only her second senior appearance for the Déise, impressively converted six frees. Hannah and Niamh Power were standout performers in defence. 

Donegal now face a relegation play-off next month, with Susanne White contributing four points out of seven for McNulty’s side against Waterford in their six-point defeat. 

The scoring was opened by a free from Déise captain Kellyann Hogan in the third minute. Donegal quickly responded as Amy Boyle Carr maneuvered through the Waterford defence to score. Lauren McGregor earned a free for the home side, which Emma Fitzgerald duly converted. 

In the sixth minute, Eve Power emerged from a goalmouth scramble and unleashed a powerful shot off her left boot, which found the Donegal net with the aid of the crossbar, bringing the score to 1-2 to 0-1. Susanne White replied with a free at the other end. 

The hosts missed four opportunities to extend their lead. A foul on McGregor in the 20th minute allowed Fitzgerald to score her second free. Waterford remained patient against Donegal’s tight defence, with a point from dual star Mairéad O’Brien extending their lead to 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time. 

The lead grew to eight points early in the second half, with Fitzgerald adding two more frees and McGregor scoring from play, making it 1-7 to 0-2. Waterford full-back Hannah Power bravely blocked a goal attempt from Susanne White, who later ended a 28-minute scoreless spell for Donegal with a free. 

McGregor struck the post with a shot before Fitzgerald scored her fifth free, restoring Waterford’s eight-point advantage. Donegal made substitutions, and Eva Gallagher scored with her first touch, followed by two points from White. However, Donegal then missed four consecutive attempts. 

Katie Herron reduced the gap to four points in the 54th minute, but that was as close as Donegal got. A late point from Emma Murray delighted the home fans before Fitzgerald scored her sixth free with the final kick of the match. 

Scorers – Waterford: E Fitzgerald 0-6, 6fs; E Power 1-0; E Murray, L McGregor, M O’Brien and K Hogan (f) 0-1 each. Donegal: S White 0-4, 3fs; K Herron, E Gallagher and A Boyle Carr 0-1 each. 

Waterford: E O’Brien; C Murray, N Power, K McGrath; A McNulty, E Murray, A Murray; H Power, E Power; A Fitzgerald, K Hogan, K Murray; E Fitzgerald, L McGregor, M O’Brien. Subs: C McCarthy for O’Brien (40), C McCarthy for McGregor (44), C Carroll for K Murray (56), A Waring for A Fitzgerald (60). 

Donegal: C Friel; S McLaughlin, A Temple Asokuh, E McGinley; K Dowds, N Boyle, T Hegarty; R Rodgers, N Carr; C Keon, N McLaughlin, A Boyle Carr; S White, K Herron, K Long. Subs: B McLaughlin for S McLaughlin (36), E Gallagher for Long (36), J McFadden for Keon (42), L Cunningham for Dowds (57). 

Referee: S Mulvihill (Kerry)