Monaghan peeled away from Donegal to win this afternoon’s Ulster Minor Ladies final in Killyclogher.
Donegal 1-6 Monaghan 0-13
By Charlie Collins in Killyclogher. Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Although Donegal led by two points (1-3 to 0-4) at half-time, Monaghan outscored James McGinley’s team 0-9 to 0-3 in the second half.
Just five minutes into the second half, a pair of Susanne White points had Donegal leading 1-5 to 0-5.
But they would score just one more point over the remaining 25 minutes – via Lauren Carr – and didn’t trouble the scoreboard across the final 20 minutes.
Hannah Sherlock – who scored seven frees – and Jane Drury brought Monaghan marching into the tie and Lauren Garland levelled things up ten minutes from the end.
Kate McClenaghan had scored Donegal’s goal in the first half and came close to adding a second in the 47th minute, but a brilliant block by Macayla Greenan kept her at bay.
Late in the game, Garland, Sherlock (2) and Drury tagged on points to give Monaghan a four-point win.
Earlier in the game, Monaghan hit the front through a Hannah Sherlock free after Donegal goalkeeper Bronagh Gallagher denied Caoimhe Ward with a brilliant early save.
Lauren Garland and Sherlock had Monaghan ahead before McClenaghan finished the Donegal goal.
Amy Boyle-Carr provided the assist after a strong surge into Monaghan territory and McClenaghan’s finish was excellent, giving Claire Duffy in the Monaghan goal no chance of a save.
Susanne White and Lauren Carr added points as Donegal led 1-3 to 0-4 at half-time, but Monaghan had other ideas in the second half.
Donegal: Bronagh Gallagher; Rionach Giles-McMenamin, Megann Ferry, Mary Martin; Aoife Greene, Roisin Rodgers, Aoibh Faulkner; Megan Ryan, Caoimhe Keon; Niamh McDonald, Lauren Carr (0-2), Katie Long; Kate McClenaghan (1-0), Amy Boyle-Carr (0-1), Susanne White (0-3). Subs: Megan Havlin for Long (28), Eimear Alcorn for Ryan (39), Ellie Barron for Greene (46), Niamh Walsh for Carr (55), Saoirse Bonner for White (60).
Monaghan: Claire Duffy; Caoimhe Brennan, Maeve Monaghan, Amy Garland; Eimear Treanor, Jennifer Duffy, Lauren Garland (0-3); Aine Loughman, Aisling McAnespie; Caoimhe Ward, Emily Brennan, Jane Duffy; Hannah Sherlock (0-7f), Jane Drury (0-3), Macayla Greenan. Subs: Michaela Linden for Loughman (48), Emma McKeown for Ward (55).
Referee: Declan Carolan (Down).
