DONEGAL 1-14 V 1-10 ARMAGH. This was surely the ultimate game of two halves as Donegal, who failed to score in the opening half, came from 11 points down to beat Armagh by 4 points and reach the Ulster Final. With a strong breeze at their backs Armagh dominated the first-half and lead by 1-08 to 0-00 at the break. In what was a very physical encounter throughout Donegal were unable to match their opponents, who really looked up for this championship clash, and if anything, were fortunate not to have been further behind. Aimee Mackin pounced on a poorly taken kick-out to slam home Armagh’s goal in only the third minute and went on to score another three points in the opening half, Lauren mc Conville and Fionnula mc Kenna both scored 0-02, with Aoife Mc Coy 0-01 completing their first-half scoring. Donegal needed a good fast start to the second-half and got it with 1-03 from Geraldine Mc Laughlin in the opening eight minutes and it was game on as Karen Guthrie took control at midfield, Ciara and Niamh Hegarty became big factors and Treasa Doherty, Aoife Mc Donnell and Eilish Ward suddenly found their best form. Aoife Mc Coy put Armagh six points clear in the 40th minute but then Donegal scored seven points in a row to lead for the first time. Katy Herron from play, and Karen Guthrie and Mc Laughlin from frees left three in it in the 44th minute before super scores from Treasa Doherty, Mc Laughlin and two class efforts from Eilish Ward put Donegal into the lead for first time in the 54th minute. Midfielder Caroline O Hanlon levelled it again in the 57th minute but Donegal surged again, Geraldine Mc Laughlin brought he personnal total to 1-07 with a free and one from play and Mc Donnell and Guthrie hit two cracking scores to round off a Brillant comeback and secure a memorable victory and a Ulster final spot. DONEGAL; Denise Mc Elhinney, Treasa Doherty 0-1, Emer Gallagher, Nicole Mc Laughlin, Therese Mc Cafferty, Ciara Hegarty, Aoife Mc Donnell 0-1, Katy Herron 0-1, Karen Guthrie 0-2, Grainne Houston, Niamh Hegarty, Eilish Ward 0-2, Roisin Friel, Geraldine Mc Laughlin 1-7, Yvonne Mc Monagle. SUBS; Paula Mc Grory for Houston ( 44mins ), Caroline Gallagher for Friel ( 60mins ).
