Tyrone get the better of Donegal in Ulster LGFA Minor Championship

Donegal fell to their second defeat in the Ulster LFGA Minor Championship this afternoon at Pairc Taobhoige in Glenfin.

Donegal 2-5
Tyrone 8-7

Having gone down to Cavan in their opening fixture, Francie Martin’s team faced the impressive Red Hands on a brighter day, but one where the wind could pierce.

Tyrone managed to score the first goal of the game on 19 seconds when Shauna McGurren was on hand to tuck home a rebound after Clodagh Munroe’s effort at a point cannoned down off the upright. However, Donegal responded with a goal of their own through Jodie McFadden, who shot low into the near post on 10 minutes.

With the aid of the elements and penned Donegal in when they hit two more goals by the water-break, with Mia Williamson and then Aine Grimes netting - all three members of the visitors’ full-forward line had goals to their name in the first quarter alone. At the end of that, it was 3-2 to 1-1. Donegal’s other score of the quarter was a well-taken free from Codie Walsh.

Tyrone continued where they left off in the second quarter of the contest, with a fourth goal coming from McGurren, despite the best efforts of Donegal goalkeeper Tara Breslin. Emer McCanny, who had two earlier points to her name, scored the last goal of the half to give Tyrone a 5-5 to 1-2 half-time lead.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Donegal knew they had to make inroads fast. But it was a Tyrone break and another early goal that dealt the blow, with Clodagh Munroe on target. Tyrone added their seventh goal when Williamson finished well.

Here's the Donegal and Tyrone starting XV's for tonight's match

Stephen McMenamin and Oisin Gallen make first starts of 2022 for Declan Bonner's side while the All-Ireland champions welcome back Pádraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan and Peter Harte from suspension, with Kieran McGeary on the bench

Donegal kept battling and managed a second goal through McFadden midway through the second half. This was supplemented with a score by Sophie McFeely. Three-quarters the way through, Tyrone were 7-7 to 2-3 in front.

Kaitlin Gallagher, on the run, smashed home an eighth Tyrone goal and Donegal finished off with a couple of points, with McFadden and substitute Aoife Doohan the scorers.

Scorers for Donegal: Jodie McFadden (2-2, 1f), Codie Walsh (0-1, 1f), Sophie McFeely and Aoife Doohan (0-1).

Scorers for Tyrone: Shauna McGurren (2-1), Mia Williamson (2-1), Emer McCanny (1-3), Clodagh Munroe (1-1, 1f), Aine Grimes and Kaitlin Gallagher (1-0), Emma Conroy (0-1).

Donegal: Tara Breslin (Naomh Columba); Bonnie McLaughlin (Buncrana), Niamh Harkin (Naomh Padraig Muff), Emma Canavan (Four Masters); Shannon Leech (Moville), Clodagh Sheerin (St Eunan’s), Sophie McFeely (St Eunan’s); Jenny McGettigan (Termon), Serena McCrossan McArdle (MacCumhaill’s); Chloe McDaid (Buncrana), Jodie McFadden (Termon), Brenda Carr (Glenfin); Abbie McGranaghan (Robert Emmets), Emma Neeson (Red Hugh’s), Codie Walsh (St Mary’s Convoy). Subs: Isla Ní Ghallachóir (Gaoth Dobhair), Abigail Tempel, Asokua (MacCumhaill’s), Aine Doherty (Milford), Jamie-Lee McMahon (Glenfin), Hannah Hopkins (St Eunan’s), Niamh Brown (St Naul’s), Caitlin McCann (Burt), Holly Roarty (Four Masters), Eirinn Gallen (MacCumhaill’s), Aimee Boyle (Ardara), Tara Geoghegan (Dungloe), Aoife Doohan (St Michael’s), Clodagh O’Connor (Letterkenny Gaels), Louise Doherty (Letterkenny Gaels), Aobha Pasoma (Downings).

Tyrone: Amellia Coyle; Aine Quinn, Olivia McGuinness, Rhianne Monagan; Kaitlin Gallagher, Aoibhinn Daly, Beth Jones; Clodagh McNamee, Emma Conroy; Aine Strain, Emer McCanny, Clodagh Munroe; Aine Grimes, Mia Williamson, Shauna McGurren. Subs: Kerri McCrystal, Anna Campbell, Catherine McCaughey, Ellie May Nugent, Gemma McVeigh, Claire Pinkerton, Leah Martin, Katie Rose Muldoon, Caoimhe McCreesh, Lana Sheehy, Caitlin McCallion, Lucy Conroy, Kelly McCafferty, Aoibheann Gallagher, Emma Holmes.

Referee: Yvonne Duffy.