Greenan shines as Donegal Camogs lose out narrowly in Division 3B opener

The scoring power of Monaghan’s Marie Greenan was the difference as Donegal lost out in their National Camogie League Division 3B opener in Carndonagh on Saturday.

Eunan O’Donnell’s charges were making their senior bow in the newly formed division, and the game was close-knit for the majority, but Greenan’s haul of 5-3 helped the visitors to a two-goal victory.

The other Monaghan goal came right at the start of play, Eileen Cullen smashing into the net before Zoe Whoriskey got a first point for the home side in Foden, and Aoibhinn Randles soon put them ahead as she raised the second of ten green flags throughout the contest.

Greenan got her first score by splitting the posts, and Jane Kelly responded, but another Whoriskey goal gave O’Donnell’s side a good early advantage in the opening quarter.

But full-forward Greenan soon got going, hitting the net twice in a couple of minutes, before Alex Elaurza responded with a major at the other end.

Greenan got her third and Monaghan’s fourth goal, and the sides hit two points apiece before the break, both from Sarah Lambe for Donegal, while Cullen and Greenan pointed at the other end as the Farney County led by 4-3 to 3-4 at the interval.

The scoring at both ends quietened a bit in the second half, but Greenan hit the net a further two times, while Clontibret goalkeeper Rebecca Hammill saved a penalty from Lambe.

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Ciara Coulter pointed for the home side, as Randles hit the net for the final goal of the game, but two points between those Donegal scores from Michelle Morgan kept Donegal at bay.

And Cullen hit the final point of the contest as Monaghan came away with a first win.

Donegal are away to Mayo in their second match next weekend, who beat Mayo 3-11 to 1-10 in their opening game in Darver at the weekend.

Donegal scorers: Aoibhinn Randles 2-0; Zoe Whoriskey 1-1; Alex Elaruza 1-0; Sarah Lambe 0-3,1f,1'45; Jane Kelly 0-1; Ciara Coulter 0-1.

Monaghan scorers: Marie Greenan 5-3,1f; Eileen Cullen 1-1,1f; Michelle Morgan 0-2.

Donegal: Hannah McDermott; Ella Kate Gillespie, Siobhan O'Donnell, Mary O'Neill; Jessica Martin, Sinead McIntyre, Aimee Lafferty; Paige Rushe, Sinead Flood; Alex Elaruza, Sarah Lambe, Zoe Whoriskey; Aoibhinn Randles, Jane Kelly, Ciara Coulter.

Monaghan: Rebecca Hamill; Sioneen Morgan, Mary McManus, Lucy Kindlon; Caoimhe Agnew, Rioghnach Duffy, Kellie Murtagh; Roisin O'Sullivan, Jessica Cullen; Eileen Cullen, Michelle Morgan, Dearbhaile Quigley; Niamh Kelly, Marie Greenan, Abbey Byrne.

Referee: Karol Collins (Galway)