Bonagee United defeat Letterkenny Rovers to secure Women's League and Cup double
Bonagee United, having already retained the Donegal Women's League title, overcame derby rivals Letterkenny Rovers in the Donegal Women's Senior Cup final on Tuesday evening at the Diamond Park
The Bonagee United senior ladies were toasting a double-double on Tuesday evening in Ballyare.
Bonagee United 4 Letterkenny Rovers 1
The Dry Arch Park side overcame derby rivals Letterkenny Rovers to add the Donegal Women’s Senior Cup to the League title already on the sideboard.
Both pieces of silverware have been retained and captain Ciana Brogan won the player of the match award for the second successive final, capping an excellent performance with a superb fourth goal to light up the Diamond Park.
Caoimhne Heron, Eimear Sweeney and Catherine Grier were also on target for Bonagee.
The game was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of Bonagee United clubman Richard Finney, a coach with the club’s under-12s who died earlier in the week.
Heron took her goals tally to 20 when netting the opening goal after two minutes. Heron pounced to steer home from the edge of the box.
With Deborah Kerrigan and Caitlin Fletcher giving Bonagee a real platform down the flanks, they were on top, but couldn’t find a second goal.
Heron was just unable to convert from one searching ball by Kerrigan, while a Catherine Grier free kick was held by Amy Doherty, the Rovers goalkeeper.
Rovers, back in the Donegal Women’s League in 2013 following a long absence, stayed in touch and it took a fine save at her near post by Catherine Fletcher to save from Emma Price while Rebecca McGinley had another effort off target.
Five minutes into the second half, Bonagee doubled the lead. Zara Shortt’s corner found Sweeney at the back post and the defender turned home.
On the hour, Grier - who is bound for Brazil later the year for the World Deaf Futsal Championships - found her range from distance. Grier was another powerful performer for Bonagee on the night.
Fourteen minutes from the end, Brogan found space and let fly from distance. Brogan’s effort gave Doherty little chance.
Rovers kept going and Emma Price broke clear to score for Brid McGinty’s team in the 83rd minute.
Bonagee United: Catherine Fletcher, Siobhan Sweeney, Eimear Sweeney, Zara Shortt, Eva Harvey, Catherine Grier, Ciana Brogan, Caitlin Fletcher, Caoimhne Heron, Bronagh Gallagher, Deborah Kerrigan, Rachel Bogan-Allison Natalie McFadden.
Letterkenny Rovers: Amy Doherty, Lucy Canning, Clodagh Sweeney, Aisling McDevitt, Holly Canning, Danielle Hynd, Enya McBride, Michelle McDevitt, Emma Price, Zoe Dillon, Mia Devenney, Scarlett Kets, Maria Rodrigues De Carvalho, Rebecca McGinley, Sine Ryan, Amy Boyd, Sadhbha Medler.
Referee: Marty McGarrigle.