DONEGAL surrendered the Senior Ulster title they won for the first time last year in today’s Ulster semi-final in Co Tyrone as Cavan went away from Killyclogher one point winners.
It’s well-known that a number of Donegal players have travelled to America this summer, but a number of others also chose to leave the panel following promotion to Division One last month.
That aside, Cavan would have been some people’s favourites today – so Donegal’s defeat by the narrowest of margins will be all the more painful.
Amber Barrett opened the scoring for Donegal but ace forward Aisling Doonan levelled things up for Cavan early on.
Donegal’s Karen Guthrie and Doonan (free) traded scores before points from Doonan, Rooney and Caitriona Smith moved Cavan into a 0-05 to 0-03 interval lead.
Doonan was virtually unplayable and continued her free-scoring form into the second half, with Cavan 0-08 to 0-05 clear before Donegal launched a revival.
Milford’s Amber Barrett hit home a goal to give the holders a 1-06 to 0-8 lead but Cavan responded in kind through Amy Rooney and the scene was set for a thrilling finish.
Yvonne McMonagle cut Cavan’s lead to a single point but the brilliant Doonan put two between them again.
McMonagle reduced the deficit to the bare minimum again but Cavan held out to secure a famous win at senior level.
They will now play Monaghan in the final after they caused an upset with a huge 3-14 to 2-04 win over Armagh.
Donegal will feel this was another trophy that got away.