Donegal delight with Ulster U-14 LGFA Ulster Gold final success over Monaghan

Donegal were crowned Ulster U-14 LGFA Ulster Gold final winners following a dramatic win over Monaghan at the Tyrone Centre of Excellence in Garvaghey on Saturday.

Monaghan had the wind behind them for the first half, Donegal the second. Donegal started the sharper and earned a free, which was dispatched by Adah Gill for the first score of the game.

This was quickly followed by a goal from Donegal’s Sarah Lett, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the Monaghan net. Sarah then added to her tally with a point and put Donegal four points in front.

Monaghan showed their composure and got themselves straight back into the game, scoring 1-2 without reply from Donegal.

Monaghan’s first score of the day came from a free, converted by captain Dija Sidabraite. This was followed by a shot from Saoirse Nic Gabhan, which beat the Donegal keeper just under the crossbar. Dija Sidabraithe then converted another free to bring the sides level with 15 minutes played.

Both teams had settled into the match but found it hard to break down each other’s defence. It took a free for Donegal by Adah Gill to put Donegal her team back in front. But the half was far from finished and an attack from Monaghan resulted in a goal by Robyn Beattie.

At half-time, Monaghan led 2-2 to 1-3. Donegal, with the wind at their backs in the second half, were first to get the scoreboard moving again. A free kick-out of the Monaghan defence fell into the hands of Donegal’s Clodagh McAteer, whose quick thinking saw her lob the out-of-position goalkeeper and into the net.

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This was followed up by a great run from Donegal’s Ella Brennan down the wing to get herself a point and put her team two points ahead. Again, Monaghan were not going to give up that easy, and replied with a goal from Cait Higgins, beating Donegal’s Caitlin McBrearty at the near hand post, putting them one up.

The game was soon back to level terms again when Megan Doherty got a point for Donegal. Donegal’s Adah Gill converted two more frees to put them ahead by two. With just over 10 minutes still to go, Monaghan brought the deficit down to the minimum when Robyn Beattie got a point from play. This was nullified by a point for Donegal from Kate McMenamin.

With five minutes to go, Monaghan reduced Donegal’s lead again from a free by Robyn Beattie. Monaghan then piled on the pressure, but Donegal held strong to see the game out and win by one point at the final whistle.

Donegal scorers: Sara Lett 1-1; Adah Gill 0-4, 3f; Clodagh McAteer 1-0; Ella Brennan, Megan Doherty and Kate McMenamin 0-1.
Monaghan scorers: Robyn Beattie 1-2, 1f; Saoirse Nic Gabhan and Cait Higgins 1-0; Dija Sidabraite 0-2, 2f.

Donegal: Caitlin McBrearty, Zarhina Carr, Molly Friel, Grace McCafferty, Ruby McGee, Aoibheann Gallagher, Danielle Gallagher, Caoimhe McGonagle, Ella Brennan, Clodagh McAteer, Adah Gill, Sara Lett, Kate McMenamin, Maya Barr, Megan Doherty. Subs: Clara Gillespie, Amber Loughrey, Jenna Britton, Aoife Gallagher, Megan Fallon. Panel: Caoimhe Sleigh, Maria McGee, Caoimhe Harkin, Eimear Doherty, Faye Casburn, Leah McMonagle, Sara Crawford, Niamh McGrenra, Ailbhe Breen, Cliodhna Robinson, Ava Greer