Niamh Boyle happy to get back in amongst the medals with Donegal ladies

Donegal ladies star Niamh Boyle was delighted to pick up another medal with the county after their Division 2 triumph over Cavan.

The St Naul’s clubwoman picked up her only silverware with Donegal in the 2019 season as they blew Armagh away by 5-12 to 1-9 in the Ulster final.

Donegal did win another provincial title in 2023, but Boyle wasn’t involved, and there weren’t many of the current side involved at that time, so it’s a first for many players and a long-awaited one for Boyle.

“It’s my first medal since 2019 when we won an Ulster title, from then, but it’s a first league title for me and a lot of these girls. And for this group, to get that bit of silverware will give us confidence going into the championship.

“We were delighted to get that performance because we knew it was in us, and it was about getting it on the day. We’ve been training hard the last two weeks in preparation for it, and it was great to show up.”

The 2-7 to 0-8 win wasn’t straightforward on Saturday, with Cavan 0-4 to 0-2 ahead at the break.

Having lost to the Breffni county in the league, Donegal were well prepared for them, and when they got level in the second half, it looked like there would only be one winner.

But as Róisín Rodgers was yellow-carded and Donegal went down to 14 for ten minutes, they had to overcome that difficulty, and they did so in style, with Mia Bennett palming in for a big goal.

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The introduction of substitutes in the final quarter and a second goal from Katie Dowds put the game to bed.

“Cavan finished top in the league, and they’re an excellent team, so it was always going to be a tough battle.

“I think when Róisín went off for the sin bin, that we actually stepped up more, and we had to give that extra effort, and we did that.

“Then the subs coming on like Ulitah (Boyle) and Eva Gallagher, the fresh legs really helped us to get over the line.

“Our work rate is huge in the team, and everyone wants to work hard for each other, and it really paid off.

“We’ve great depth there, and it’s very competitive for places in there. We’re pushing each other on in training and week on week you don’t know who is going to be starting, nobody is guaranteed of their place, which helps.”