Dungloe prove too good for Downings in LGFA Junior A decider 

Dungloe picked up the Donegal Junior A title in convincing fashion on Sunday with a comprehensive nine-point victory over Downings in Ballybofey. 

Dungloe 1-11 Downings 0-5

Tony Boyle’s side more or less dominated proceedings from start to finish at MacCumhaill Park but their opposition did stick with them in the first period. 

And it was Rhianna McCready’s fortunate three-pointer, where her effort from a free clipped the outstretched hands of a Downings defender and went into the net, that really split the sides at the break at 1-5 to 0-4. 

Tony Boyle’s girls had come out of the blocks fast with Ava Caulfield and Tara Kate Geoghegan firing over an early brace of points. 

Aobha Pasoma got Downings off the mark on nine minutes but another pair of Dungloe points, one from Cora Wallace and another from McCready, left it 0-4 to 0-1 on 20 minutes.

It was then that McCready’s dipping effort inadvertently made it to the back of the net to put six in it. Still, Downings would end the half strongly with three points via Lauren McBride, including two from frees.

Indeed, Downings almost scored a goal of their own when Dungloe stopper Ellie McGarvey was dispossessed of possession as she went on her travels, allowing Downings to race in towards the empty net. 

Saskia Boyle showed her experience though to halt that advance and McBride notched over another point for her side. Dungloe’s last score of the half was provided by Katie Wallace to leave four in it at the changeover. 

Downings passed up on a huge goal chance at the start of the second-half when Denise Doherty got in behind Sara O’Boyle. Doherty though, pulled her shot wide of the target and the opportunity to narrow the gap back to a single point was lost. 

Up the other side, McCready added another point and five became the difference. Geoghegan then converted her second free of the contest as matters drifted towards the fourth and final quarter. 

Patricia Boyle then got her name on the scoresheet while McCready plumped her tally further with another converted free. 

Amy McLaughlin had the last say on the scoreboard for Downings and, before the end, Katie Wallace and Saskia Boyle rounded off the scoring in what was a dominant and deserving Dungloe win. 

Dungloe scorers: Ava Caulfield 0-1,1f; Tara Kate Geoghegan 0-2,1f; Cora Wallace 0-1; Rhianna McCready 1-3,2f; Katie Wallace 0-2; Patricia Boyle 0-1; Saskia Boyle 0-1. 

Downings scorers: Luren McBride 0-3,2f; Aobha Pasoma 0-1; Amy McLaughlin 0-1. 

Dungloe: Ellie McGarvey; Ellie Ward, Sara O’Boyle, Laura Doherty; Ava Caulfield, Saskia Boyle, Aine Bonner; Cora Wallace, Bridin Walsh; Katie Wallace, Jasmine Gallagher, Rhianna McCready; Ulitah Boyle, Patrice Boyler, Tara Kate Geoghegan. 

Subs: Elisha Boyle for L Doherty (ht), Clare Diver for A Bonner (ht), Aoife McGee for U Boyle (59) Jessicca Ogelsby for R McCready (60+2)

Downings: Charlie Shevlin; Aine O’Connell, Chloe Hay, Maggie Doherty; Karen Gavaghan, Emer Trearty, Aoibhinn O’Connell; Caoimhe McLaughlin, Amy McLaughlin, Caoimhe Coyle; Aobha Pasoma, Lauren McBride, Denise Doherty. 

Subs: Aoife McMullan for Pasoma (52), Meabh O’Connell for C Coyle (58), 

Referee: Dermot McColgan (Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin).