Match report by Daniel Doherty
Donegal 4 – 3 Carlow (AET)
After a super win against Limerick in the semi finals the Donegal 2011 team were determined to get their hands on silverware when they faced Carlow.
Donegal got off to a flying start when Mollie Elliott did brilliantly to stay on her feet after a challenge from the Carlow keeper and slot home to make it 1-0. Ten minutes later Mollie was played through again and she made no mistake in front of goal to double Donegal’s lead. Carlow started to come into the game but the Donegal defence was well marshalled by their keeper Megan McGinley. As Donegal weathered the Carlow storm towards the end of the half Mollie Elliot found herself in another great position and she rifled home to give Donegal a 3-0 lead at half time.
Carlow came out in the second half all guns blazing and got one back just after the restart giving Carlow something to fight for. There was a great battle in Midfield with Donegal trio Aisling McGinley, Ava Greer and Alex Crawford keeping Carlow at bay a while longer. Carlow got their second midway through the half which set up a breathtaking finish to the game. Carlow pulled level in added time from a free kick.
We were heading for extra time….
Extra time started how the game finished with Carlow putting pressure onto the Donegal defence but Leanne Gordon and Emily Doogan stood tall denying Carlow access to Megan McGinley’s goal.
Donegal came out in the second half of extra time with the travelling support pushing them to find a winner with Tara McDaid and Amy Lateef leading the charge. With 5 minutes left on the clock the Carlow defender took down Ruby Sheridan in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Ava Greer stepped up and buried her effort into the bottom corner sending the Donegal support wild. The game wasn’t over yet Carlow still pushed to bring the game to penalties but again the Donegal defence weren’t going to be beaten again.
That’s how the game ended a thrilling game for the viewers with Donegal coming out victorious claiming the U14 Bowl. Congratulations to Brid McGinty, John Francis Doogan, Olivia Sleigh and their squad on a great achievement.
Player of the match on the day was Mollie Elliott.
