Hard work continues for Katie Dowds and the Donegal ladies in promotion hunt

The Donegal ladies are three wins from three in Division 2, and forward Katie Dowds is hoping to keep that momentum going as they host Cavan in Ballyshannon this Sunday (throw-in 2pm).

Donegal made it three wins from three against Tyrone in Aghyaran last weekend, winning convincingly by 3-9 to 1-8.

Tyrone, who were relegated from Division 1 last year and won the All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2025, were the only other side to have a 100% record after two games, but James Daly’s side ended their perfect start.

And Sean MacCumhaills star Dowds scored a point in the first half, before two second-half goals in a brilliant performance that put down another marker on their aspirations in achieving promotion.

“When Tyrone had two wins, and we did as well, and we had both played the same two teams, then it gave us a good challenge to see where we’re at, and if we were at the standards that we’d hope to be at, so we were very happy with the way we played.

“We did everything that we’ve been working on in training, so we’re happy with that, and the vibes are good in the squad.

“We are happy with where we’re at so far, and we do still have a lot of training to do if we want to get promoted, but we’ll be working hard over the next couple of games and hopefully we can get to where we want to be at the end of the league.”

Donegal scored just two goals in their Division 2 campaign last season, but have already hit seven goals so far, while the Red Hands had hit eleven goals in their first two matches, but only found the net once late on against Daly’s side.

So it was an all-round solid performance from the Green and Gold, and Dowds admits that their squad’s competition for places has helped increase their output on matchday.

“Our forward play was good there, we moved the ball fast, and we weren’t taking it into contact as much as we had over the last couple of games. We never really get many goals in a game either, so we’re happy out.

“Their goal was probably coming, but we didn’t give them a lot of space, and we weren’t letting them in for the goals like they had been in their first couple of games, so that was another positive.

“Management has had a lot of decisions to make over the last couple of games, and everyone is really pushing for a place in the team.

“Training is so intense, and everyone knows their space isn’t guaranteed on the starting team every week, so it’s good to have that to push us on in training, and it keeps us switched on.”

Cavan are the visitors to Ballyshannon on Sunday, boasting an unbeaten record after a draw with Mayo and two wins over Tipperary and Wexford.

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It’ll present another big challenge for Dowds and co., but playing at home will be a boost.

It’s a busy time for the teenager, who is a first-year pharmacy student at Queen’s University and lining out for the O’Connor Cup team at the Belfast school.

“Being at home is definitely a big advantage for us. We’re used to our own pitches in the county, and the travel can just take it out of you a bit, but we’re looking forward to it, and hopefully it goes well.”

“It’s a busy time, but I don’t mind that. I really like Belfast, so I’m enjoying it.

“We have a game every second Thursday, so it gives me a bit more time to recover. We had three games between Sunday to Sunday, so it’s tough with less time to recover.

“We played DCU in our first game, and we were beaten by five points, but they won it last year, so it was good to see where we’re at.”