Watch: Geraldine McLaughlin praises young guns after Donegal beat Galway

Geraldine McLaughlin noted the importance of a home win against Galway with Donegal’s other two Division 1A games taking them on the road.

McLaughlin scored seven points in the 0-10 to 0-7 win on Saturday night.

The Termon woman saw a penalty late in the first half saved by Galway goalkeeper Alanah Griffin. A goal then and Donegal might have gone too far in front for Galway to stay in tough.

“It didn’t faze us,” McLaughlin told Donegal Live.

“If I had scored it, we’d have been well up. Those things happen and we have to deal with them. I don’t worry too much. I just go out again and try to do better in the second half.

“The penalty came at the wrong time, but you have to forget about those things.”

Donegal ladies overcome Galway in League opener

Geraldine McLaughlin hits seven points as Maxi Curran's team win

Donegal face away games against Westmeath and Mayo so a winning start was vital.

In a low-key opening under the Ballybofey floodlights, Donegal got the job done.

McLaughlin said: “Getting a win was very important for us. It was good to get the three points. Today was our only home game in the League so that was very important.

“It’ll be a tough League so getting a win at the very start was great.

“We’re traveling for the next two games. We knew we were in for a tough night, but it’s great that we’ve it over us with the win.”

Donegal were four up, 0-6 to 0-2, at half-time, but Galway were able to stay within touching distance.

“Galway have been top four in the last few years,” McLaughlin noted.

“It was tough out there. It’s the first game in quite a while.

“It’s very important to stay in Division One and to compete at this level. It’s good for Donegal ladies football.”

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Maxi Curran’s squad has a relatively youthful feel to it these days and McLaughlin hailed the contributions of those younger faces.

“I felt my age there today,” McLaughlin said.

“The girls who have come in this year are brilliant. We have new players coming in and they pulled us through. 

“They drive us on and they keep us young running after them. They’re class. They showed here.

“It can be messy at times in February matches, but our ball retention was really good at times.”