Donegal lose out to Cavan in Ulster LGFA Minor Championship opener

Cavan put in a top class second half to overcome Donegal in the Ulster Minor Championship Round 1 opener at Breffni Park this afternoon.

Cavan 9-13
Donegal 3-3

Cavan stuck the opening goal in the second minute through Ellyanna Madden and added a second a minute later from Catherine Ahearne for an early 2-2 to 0-0 lead.

Donegal, though, managed to score their first goal of the day through Dungloe's Tara Geoghegan on six minutes, before Jodie McFadden scored a point to cut Cavan's lead from eight to four, 2-2 to 1-1.

Here's the Donegal side that will open their NHL campaign against London

Mickey McCann's side open their Allianz League Division 2B campaign tomorrow when London are the visitors to O'Donnell Park

However, Cavan's Abbi Connor goaled then on 11 minutes but when McFadden grabbed a goal, Donegal, who were playing against the wind were 3-2 to 2-1 behind. Codie Walsh, for Donegal on 15 minutes managed to score a third goal for the visitors and it was down to just a point - Cavan 3-2 Donegal 3-1.

Cavan finished the half strongly to go in at the break with a 3-6 to 3-1 lead, with Gemma Beatty kicking four first half points.

In the second half, in terrible conditions, Cavan were on top, with Connor and Aherne scoring third quarter goals for a 5-11 to 3-1 advantage at the three-quarter mark. 

Aoibhe Conaty, Ahearne with her hat-trick goal, as did Connor on 56 minutes. Aine Smith's goal rounded off the win.

Donegal play Tyrone at home on February 26, then Monaghan away and Antrim home, with the top two in the group then progressing to the Ulster final.

Scorers for Cavan: Catherine Ahearne (3-1), Gemma Beatty (0-7, 5f), Abbi Connor,(3-0),  Ellyanna Madden (1-2), Aoibhe Conaty and Aine Smith (1-0), Aisling Doughty (0-2), Niamh Tolan (0-1).

Scorers for Donegal: Jodie McFadden (1-2), Tara Geoghegan and Codie Walsh (1-0), Hannah Hopkins (0-1)

Cavan: Katie Mulvey; Roisin Gunn, Sophie Daly, Siog Reilly; Aoihne Conaty, Christina Charters, Lucy Crowe; Niamh Tolan, Caoimhe Halpin; Gemma Beatty, Ellyanna Madden, Aisling McEnore; Abbi Connor, Catherine Aherne, Aisling Doughty. Subs: Sinead Levingstone, Cara Reilly, Emma McIntyre, Tara McAnnena, Aine Smith Beatty, Ellen Murphy, Uainionn McManus, Meabh Kelly, Amy Kellett, Letizia Sheridan-Seery for Gunn.

Donegal: Tara Breslin (Nomh Columba); Bonnie McLaughlin (Buncrana), Aoibhinn O'Connell (Downings), Ellen Cananvan (Four Masters); Shannon Leech (Moville), Clodagh Sheerin (St Eunan's), Sophie McFeely (St Eunan's); Jenny McGettigan (Termon), Caoimhe Doherty (Urris); Chloe McDaid (Buncrana), Jodie McFadden (Termon), Breda Carr (Glenfin); Jamie-Lee McMahon (Glenfin), Tara Geoghegan (Dungloe), Codie Walsh (St Mary's, Convoy).
Subs: Isla Ní Ghallachóir (Gaoth Dobhair), Abilgal Temple Asouka (MacCumhaill's), Aine Doherty (Milford), Hannagh Hopkins (St Eunan's), Niamh Brown (St Naul's), Sophie Murphy (Moville), Holly Roarty (Four Masters), Serena Crossan-McArdle (MacCumhaill's), Aoife Doohan (St Michael's), Niamh Harkin (Naomh Padraig), Louise Doherty (Letterkenny Gaels), Aobha Pasoma (Downings), Emma Neeson (Red Hugh's)