Armagh start strong to defeat Donegal in LGFA relegation play-off

Donegal will have one last chance of surviving relegation after losing out to a fast starting Armagh in the TG4 Ladies Senior Football Championship relegation semi-final in Stewartstown.

The Ulster champions, with the wind at their backs for the first half, stormed into an early five-point lead early on.

Donegal couldn’t get the flags raised and goal chances for Jodie McFadden and Rhíana McColgan went wide, as Armagh continued to add to their lead with Niamh Reel, Caroline O’Hanlon and Lauren McConville all picking up points.

McFadden got Donegal’s first score on 29 minutes, but they trailed 0-11 to 0-1 at half-time.

James Daly’s side had a quick start of their own in the second half as McFadden and Cait Gillespie pointed, but Armagh began to show their experience and were clinical when taking shots on.

And when Roisin Rodgers was black-carded, it was too big an ask for Donegal to come back.

Armagh took advantage of the wind in the opening stages and despite hitting two wides in the first minute, they got going quickly after.

Niamh Henderson broke through the Donegal defence and shot for goal, but Clare Friel tipped it over for a point, and Aoife McCoy added a second score.

Niamh Reel then kicked two points, the second from a free, as Emily Druse fisted over on seven minutes.

After ten minutes without a score, Donegal threatened for a goal when Jodie McFadden showed Maeve Ferguson a clean pair of heels but hit the side netting, while Reel kicked another free.

Two great scores from out on the right by Lauren McConville were added to by O’Hanlon frees either side of those scores, while Rhíana McColgan had another goal chance for Donegal after a neat one-two with Katie Dowds, but her shot was saved by Anna Carr.

McFadden did get a first Donegal point from a free on 29 minutes, but O’Hanlon kicked another free at the other end as Armagh led by 0-11 to 0-1 at half-time.

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James Daly’s side did have a good start to the second half as McFadden pointed inside 30 seconds, while Cait Gillespie fisted over a minute later.

But Armagh were controlled in possession and took their chances when they came, with Catherine Marley kicking over after a good run.

Niamh Reel kicked another free before Katie Dowds fired over a brilliant point at the other end, although it was another setback for Donegal when captain Roisin Rodgers was black-carded.

The only score in that ten minute spell came from an O’Hanlon free to restore the ten point lead as Armagh looked comfortable.

And while McFadden kicked her third point of the game from a free, Reel fittingly had the final say with her fifth score from a free.

Donegal will now meet Leitrim next weekend, with the losing side being relegated to the Intermediate Championship.

Scorers - Donegal: Jodie McFadden 0-3,2f, Cait Gillespie and Katie Dowds 0-1 each

Armagh: Niamh Reel 0-5 (4f), Caroline O’Hanlon 0-4 (4f), Lauren McConville 0-2, Niamh Henderson, Aoife McCoy, Emily Druse and Catherine Marley 0-1 each

Donegal: Clare Friel; Shauna McFadden, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Sophie McFeeley; Blathnaid McLaughlin, Evelyn McGinley, Cait Gillespie; Rosin Rodgers, Rhíana McColgan; Susanne White, Katie Dowds, Feena McManamon; Aoife McDermott, Jodie McFadden, Niamh Boyle. 

Subs: Eva Gallagher and Mia Bennett for S McFadden and A McDermott (43).

Armagh: Anna Carr; Maeve Ferguson, Cait Towe, Roisin Mulligan; Emily Druse, Megan McCann, Grace Ferguson; Catherine Marley, Caroline O’Hanlon; Lauren McConville, Aoife McCoy, Eve Lavery; Kelly Mallon, Niamh Henderson, Niamh Reel. 

Subs: Caoimhe McNulty for E Lavery (36), Aimee Mackin for K Mallon (53), Laura Marsden for C Marley (57), Laura Kavanagh for M McCann (59).