The Donegal U-16 girls celebrate after their victory Photo: Thomas Gallagher
Donegal 6-22
Leitrim 4-5
The final scoreline might not do justice to Leiitrim but overall Donegal were clear and convincing winners in the All-Ireland U-16C final in Tempo, Fermanagh.
After a difficult start when they went 1-3 to no score behind, the Donegal girls slowly but surely played their way into the game and by half-time they had assumed a measure of control, leading by 2-11 to 3-4.
But it was in the last 20 minutes that they took complete control. They were just three points ahead at that stage, 2-14 to 4-5 but Leitrim were unable to stop the Donegal momentum and they failed to register another score.
Leitrim got the perfect start when Lucie Maye was through but was denied by an unbelievable stop from Aine Walsh in the Donegal goal. However, the ball fell to Aoibheann McWeeney to fire home.
Grace Devaney, Maye and Clodagh Kilrane added points before Mia O'Donnell and her mighty left peg hit Donegal's opening score. She repeated the act in the 9th minute but a great break from Ava Lyons saw Clodagh Kilrane (niece of Louise Foy, Ballyshannon) fired home a third Leitrim goal.
Laura Boyle was denied a goal at point blank range at the expense of a '35' which was pointed by Eva McNamara. The Donegal girls were back on track a minute later when Orla Ward set up Cayla McFadden for their first goal.
Caragh Guckian stretched the Leitrim lead but the momentum shifted after that with Eva McNamara playing a lead role on the '40'. She pointed from play and Mia O'Donnell (2) and Laura Boyle had the sides level.
By the 20th minute Orla Ward hit a second Donegal goal while Cayla McFadden and McNamara opened the gap to five points.
But again Leitrim found a way with Caragh Guckian finding the Donegal net on 23 minutes. The Leitrim side were handed a blow when midfielder Eibhlin Guckian was yellow carded and before half-time Laura Boyle and Cayla McFadden stretched the lead again to leave Donegal ahead by 2-11 to 3-4 at the break.
Cadhla McFadden on the ball for Donegal against Leitrim Picture: Thomas Gallagher
Much of the talk was of the referee, David Hurson of Monaghan who seemed whistle happy with Leitrim winning the free count 14-6.
The second half remained competitive for 10 minutes with Orla Ward opening the scoring for Donegal in the first attack but Leitrim hit back with a fourth goal from Mabel Keane on 34 minutes.
Donegal responded with Player of the Match Eva McNamara hitting two quick points. Mabel Keane added a Leitrim point which was to be their last score.
McNamara added another brace of points before Nicole Bonnar Gillespie made a great burst through the middle to set up Orla Ward for a third Donegal goal.
From there to the finish it was shooting practice for Donegal Mia O'Donnell adding two frees, one which would have been a two pointer in the men's game. She would add another two while Eva McNamara had her eighth point of the game.
Laura Boyle and Cayla McFadden hit two very well worked goals before corner-back Kate McCafferty decided it was time to emulate her dad, Johnny, going forward to hit 1-1 in the final minutes.
It was a very good all-round display. Toni Boyle was a dominant figure around the middle without ever wanting to seek scores like her dad; Laura Quinn and Aoibhinn Wallace were rock solid at the back.
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Donegal scorers: Eva McNamara (1'35'), Mia O'Donnell (2f) 0-8 each; Cayla McFadden 2-2; Orla Ward 2-1; Laura Boyle 1-2; Kate McCafferty 1-1.
Leitrim scorers: Clodagh Kilrane, Mabel Keane, Caragh Guckian 1-1 each; Aoibheann McWeeney 1-0; Lucie Maye (f), Grace Devaney 0-1 each.
Donegal : Aine Walsh (Dungloe), Katie McCafferty (Termon), Aoibhin Wallace (Burt), Sarah Black (Milford), Laura Boyle (Naomh Columba), Laura Quinn (Four Masters), Sofie Campbell (Naomh Conaill), Toni Boyle (Dungloe), Nicole Bonnar Gillespie (Dungloe), Iona McHugh (Ardara), Eva McNamara (Bundoran), Kirsti Boyle (Dungloe), Orla Ward (Malin), Cayla McFadden (Termon), Mia O’Donnell (Dungloe).
Subs: Rachel Gillespie (Aodh Ruadh) for K Boyle (38); Aoibheann McCann for S Campbell (54); Cadhla Gillespie for O Ward (55); Evangeline McDermott for C McFadden (59).
Rest of panel: Elaine McFadden (Cloughaneely), Ciara Daly (St Eunan’s), Katie O’Neill (Killybegs), Sarah Hegarty (Naomh Ultan), Sophie McGee (Sean MacCumhaills), Andrea Reid (Sean MacCumhaills), Cora Cassidy (Four Masters), Clara Kelly (Carndonagh), Aoife Meehan (Cloughaneely), Saoirse Monagle (Malin), Heidi McHugh (Killybegs).
Managers: Dessie McNamara / Paul Gillespie (joint); Coach: Enda Bogle; Goalkeeping coach: Karl Doherty; Stats: Shane McGrath; FLO Officers: Mary Bogle, Jacinta McHugh.
Leitrim: Mollie Harte; Leah Casey, Jane Hanrahan, Kate Kenny; Nessa Fox, Grace Devaney, Ella Gilmartin; Eibhlin Guckian, Mabel Keane; Ava Lyons, Clodagh Kilrane, Aoife Crawford; Aoibheann McWeeney, Lucie Maye, Caragh Guckian.
Subs: Eppie McAllister for A Crawford (22); Kate McNamara for M Keane (42); Megan Doonan for L Casey (59).
Referee: David Hurson (Monaghan)
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