Experimental Donegal lose out to Galway in LGFA Division 1 opener in Tuam

Kate Slevin kicked the final five points as Galway began their Lidl National Football League Division 1 campaign with an impressive win over an understrength Donegal at Tuam Stadium.

Galway 0-11 Donegal 0-6 

The Claregalway forward was decisive when needed after two Susanne White frees - which brought her tally for the day up to five - levelled the game at 0-6 to 0-6 and Donegal appeared to be in the ascendency.

However, Slevin slotted over a fine point before substitute Megan Glynn was fouled for a penalty which Slevin fired over the crossbar. Slevin added two more points from frees before rounding off a swift counter-attack to kick the final score of the game as Galway secured victory in the first game of the 2023 season.

The first scoring chance fell Galway’s way as Róisín Leonard kicked an excellent pass over the top for Slevin but Donegal goalkeeper Aoife McColgan was brave, stood her ground, and won a free out.

Róisín Leonard did open Galway’s account with a ninth minute free but Donegal’s response was swift as White curled over a close range score. Aoife O’Rourke hit back when she fired over a placed ball of her own.

Donegal were missing the missing the quality of 2022 TG4 Senior Player’s Player of the Year Niamh McLaughlin in midfield while Geraldine McLaughlin, who kicked seven points in last year’s league fixture, was another notable absentee, as were Karen Guthrie, Yvonne Bonner and Niamh Hegarty.

Maxi Curran’s charges levelled the contest again when Roisin Rodgers and Katie Dowds combined to set up the dangerous White. White then turned over the Galway kickout and earned herself a free which she converted to give Donegal a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 20 minutes.

However, Galway took over for the remainder of the half as Maghnus Breathnach and Fiona Wynne’s side showed great patience in attack to create a scoring opportunity for Ailbhe Davoren to convert. Slevin and O’Rourke (free) found the target to help give Galway a 0-5 to 0-3 half time lead.

Dungloe's Saskia Boyle, who was making her first start for Donegal's seniors, and Róisín Leonard traded efforts before two White frees levelled it on the resumption. However, Slevin produced a scintillating final quarter as Galway powered home to claim maximum points.

Galway scorers: K Slevin 0-6, (2f, 1 pen), A O’Rourke (2f) and R Leonard (1f) 0-2 each, A Davoren 0-1.
Donegal scorers: S White 0-5 (4f), S Boyle 0-1.

Galway: A Griffin; K Geraghty, S Ní Loingsigh, E Gavin; C Cooney, B Quinn, A Molloy; A Davoren, C Cleary; L Coen, R Leonard, S Brennan; L Noone, A O’Rourke, K Slevin. Subs: M Glynn for Cleary (ht), C Miskell for R Leonard (41), T Leonard, for O’Rourke (45), S Healy for Molloy (51), M Seoighe for Noone (58), E Power for Davoren (59).

Donegal: Aoife McColgan (Malin); Saskia Boyle (Dungloe), Evelyn McGinley (Termon), Niamh Carr (Milford); Amy Boyle Carr (Naomh Conaill), Tara Hegarty (Moville), Roisin Rodgers (Naomh Muire); Susanne White (Killybegs), Emer Gallagher (Termon); Katie Dowds (Sean MacCumhaill's), Shelly Twohig (St Mary's, Convoy), Katie Long (Glenfin); Ciara McGarvey (Termon), Cait Gillespie (Aodh Ruadh), Laoise Ryan (St Eunan's). Subs: Jodie McFadden (Termon) for N Carr (28), Shannon McGroddy (Termon) for Ryan (ht), Catherine Boyle (St Eunan's) for Gillespie (ht), Ava Walsh (Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin) for Long (47), Shauna Higgins (St Eunan's) for McGarvey (59), Codie Walsh (St Mary's, Convoy) for White (59).
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).