Donegal take all three points as they cruise to victory over Cavan

A much more experienced and physically powerful Donegal had no trouble in disposing of this game as they overcame a youthful Cavan side in the Max McGrath Memorial Park in Redhills on Sunday.

Suzanne White and Katie Herron went on a scoring spree up front-hitting a combined tally of 3-13.

At wing-back the athletic Caoimhe Keon turned in a player of the match display while the lively Niamh McLaughlin was at the heart of all that was good about John McNulty’s side.

Cavan battled hard but simply could not match the power and panache of the winners.

Donegal began brightly with their lively centre-back Katie Dowds hitting a fine point after just three minutes.

That set the pattern for considerable dominance in the opening half against an inexperienced Cavan side who are clearly in transition.

The towering White added another point in the ninth minute.

But Donegal had the ball in the Cavan net in the 11th minute after a searing run from the explosive Jodie McFadden ended with a perfect cross into the Breffni girl’s square.

The ball was met by Katie Herron but referee Gerry Canny disallowed the goal after consultation with his umpires.

But there was no denying a vastly superior Donegal side as they tacked on points from the speedy Shannon McLaughlin, Katie Herron and Suzanne White to edge into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead by the 20th minute.

Their first goal came from a lovely pass from Niamh McLaughlin to Herron who smashed home a great goal as White added another point to push Donegal to a 1-8 to 0-1 lead, with the sole Cavan score coming from a pointed free from sub Amy Wharton, as Donegal led by 1-8 to 0-1 at the break.

Cavan started brightly on the resumption and could have had an early goal, but Zara Fay blasted the ball over the bar from point-blank range.

Their midfielder Ally Cahill lofted over a fine point - but with Herron and White virtually unstoppable up front - Donegal cantered clear with the greatest of ease.

They got their second goal in the 8th minute of the second half after Cavan keeper Evelyn Baugh saved well from Katie Long but the ball fell to the feet of White and she first timed to the net to put Donegal into a 2-10 to 0-3 lead.

The contest was well over as both sides emptied their benches with Herron netting again to leave Donegal ahead by 3-12 to 0-3 by the 45th minute.

Wing-forward Jodie McFadden got in on the goal-scoring act when she hammered the ball to an empty net by the 50th minute.

John McNulty brought on a plethora of subs but it did not halt Donegal’s impressive scoring rate.

The hard-working Amy Boyle Carr pointed as did sub Eva Gallagher in a most impressive win.

A badly outgunned Cavan side was relying on sporadic breakaways and had further points from subs Niamh McCrory and Abbi Connors. But this was an easy win for Donegal who banished some of the blues from that recent defeat to Tyrone.

Scorers - Donegal: Katie Herron 2-6; Suzanne White 1-7, 4f; Jodie McFadden 1-1; Katie Dowds 0-2; Amy Boyle Carr, Abbie McGranaghan, Eva Gallagher, and Evelyn McGinley 0-1 each. Cavan: Ally Cahill 0-2; Amy Wharton 1f, Niamh McCrory, and Abi Connors 0-1;

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh; Aine Brady, Anne Brady, Ciara Brady; Christina Charters, Roisin Dolan, Lucy Crowe; Ally Cahill, Caoimhe Halpin; Zara Fay, Sarah McCabe, Dearbhle McCaffrey; Kayle Brady, Rebecca McLaughlin, Erin Longair. Subs: Amy Wharton for Dearbhle McCaffrey (14), Aine Smith for Caoimhe Halpin (35), Niamh McCrory for Erin Longair (40), Abi Connors for Christina Charters (48 ), Niamh Gunn for Sarah McCabe (51).

Donegal: Claire Friel; Shannon McLaughlin, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Evelyn McGinley; Caoimhe Keon, Katie Dowds, Tara Hegarty; Roisin Rogers, Niamh Boyle; Amy Boyle Carr, Niamh McLaughlin, Katie Long; Suzanne White, Katie Herron, Jodie McFadden. Subs: Patrice Boyle and Eva Gallagher for Katie Long and Jodie McFadden (48) Sophie McFeely for Shannon McLaughlin (50), Abbie McGranaghan for Katie Herron (56), Shauna Higgins for Tara Hegarty (59), Chelsea Gorman and Sara O’Boyle for Evelyn McGinley and Caoimhe Keon (60).

Referee: Gerry Canny (Mayo)