New-look Donegal ladies begin Division 2 campaign away to Clare 

Donegal are taking to the road for their opening round of the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 with an away encounter with Clare, in Doonbeg, on Sunday afternoon (throw-in, 1pm). 

The weekend’s game is one of three away and four at home for new manager James Daly and his management team of assistant Bernard McGeehan and mentor and forwards coach Karen Guthrie. 

Tyrone native Daly was appointed boss just before Christmas following the surprise departure of John McNulty after just one season in the top job. 

MacCumhaills club man McGeehan has been recruited to the set-up following two seasons guiding the fortunes of Tyrone outfit Aghyaran and, before that, a term managing his home club.

Former star Guthrie has returned to the setup after retiring the season before last. 

“It’s a well-used cliche at this stage but it is literally one game at a time for us with the aim of being competitive and learning from game to game,” McGeehan said.

Donegal follow up Sunday’s encounter with another away to Westmeath. Ulster rivals Monaghan are next up at home with their last trip against Roscommon.

And they round off the campaign with three games in a row against Galway, Tipperary and Cork. 

“Division 2 in football, regardless if it’s club or county, is always competitive. You usually have half of the teams going all out for promotion and the other half are battling to avoid relegation. 

“But I think it is fair to say this year’s Division 2 looks like being the most competitive in years with the relegation of Galway and Cork from last season.

“Galway were beaten All-Ireland finalists in 2024 and we all know Cork's record over the past 20 years or so. 

“Tipperary, Westmeath and Monaghan are all seasoned league campaigners and Clare and Roscommon are the two promoted teams from last year. “ 

However, the assistant manager feels the league draw with three away games and four home games has been favourable to Donegal.

“Logistically the draw has been kind to us. I know you can take no team for granted and there are going to be no easy points. 

“But having Galway, Cork, Tipperary and Monaghan at home, probably the three strongest teams, is a plus”. 

It is widely recognised that Donegal are into the second year of a real transition following the retirement of a host of quality and experienced players.

Due to a change to the AFLW playing season in Australia,  Donegal are going to be without two leading players this season. 

Last term’s captain Niamh McLaughlin and Amy Boyle-Carr are both fully committed to Aussie Rules in 2025 Down Under. 

McGeehan admits it’s a serious blow but one that can’t be helped. 

“The two girls are a huge loss. But we still have a strong squad and the bulk of last year’s panel that finished in third place in the league table.

In all, up to 11 of the Donegal team that defeated Kildare to retain senior football championship are named in the 25-woman squad revealed this week. 

“We still have most of that team that defeated Kildare back on board and they will be the backbone of this year's team. “

Clare Friel,  Shannon McLaughlin, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Evelyn McGinley, Katie Dowds, Niamh Boyle, Tara Hegarty, Roisin Rodgers, Eva Gallagher, Susanne White and Niamh Carr are the survivors from the starting XV that defeated Kildare 0-9 to 0-8 to insure senior championship football again this season.  

READ NEXT: Donegal ladies opening league game away to Clare to be streamed live 

And as well as Niamh McLaughlin and Boyle-Carr, Tara Hegarty and Caoimhe Keon have also dropped off the scene.

“Tara has called time on her county career and it is a case where Caoimhe, who is in college in Galway and between studies and work replacement; she just could not give the commitment required.” 

Veteran Katy Herron, who came in off the bench against the Lilywhites,  has not returned to training. 

But the management retains some hope that the 2015 Ulster winning captain will return to the fold in the coming weeks.

“Katy had a busy schedule over Christmas but is training away on her own to build up her fitness. We  are monitoring her progress and we hope to have her back in the next couple of weeks”.

Apart from a few minor niggles  McGeehan expects to have a fully fit squad for Sunday’s opener against Banner County. 

“It will be best foot forward on Sunday and hopefully we can get the new season up and running with a win.” 

Roisin Rodgers has been named the new team captain while Evelyn McGinley and Suzanne White will share the vice-captain role. 

Donegal league squad: Gaeil Fhánada: Claire Friel; Sean Mac Cumhaill: Abigail Temple Asokuh, Katie Dowds; An Tearmainn: Evelyn McGinley, Shannon McLaughlin, Ciara McGarvey, Jodie McFadden; St Eunan's: Shauna McFadden, Sophie McFeeley, Feena McManomon, Laoise Ryan; Charn Domhnaigh: Amy Porter; Buncrana: Tara Rose Mahon; Naomh Muire: Roisin Rodgers;

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin: Rhiana McColgan, Niamh Harkin, Ava Walsh; Naomh Naille: Niamh Boyle; Naomh Columba: Leeza Cunningham; Cill Chartha: Eva Gallagher; Killybegs: Suzanne White; Na Dunaibh: Julie Trearty; Robert Emmets: Abbie McGranaghan; Aodh Ruadh: Cait Gillespie; Ard An Ratha: Mia Bennett; Kilmacud Crokes: Niamh Carr