Donegal girls advance to Shield after third place finish in Gaynor Cup group

The Donegal Women’s League are into the knockout stages of the Gaynor Shield in Limerick today after finishing third in their group with DDSL, NERL and Derry.

Donegal won their opening game on Monday with a 1-0 win over neighbours Derry, thanks to Bonagee United striker Tara McDaid, as she showed great pace to latch onto a ball over the top and slot under the Derry goalkeeper.

Their second match against NERL saw them go a goal down after a quarter of an hour through a corner that was headed in by Róise Dorgan.

But again, it was McDaid who levelled the game with five minutes to go, taking one touch at the edge of the box before curling into the net.

Their final game was against the well-fancied DDSL side, who had won their first two games and they made it three from three as Faith Dawson and Isabella MacLeod scored in the second half.

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NERL’s 1-0 win over Derry meant they had a better goal difference and finished second.

Donegal now face Carlow and District in the knockouts of the Shield, with the game taking place at 4pm on Wednesday.

Donegal Women’s League Gaynor Cup squad: 

Goalkeepers: Megan McGinley (Milford United) Caitlin McBrearty (Letterkenny Rovers). Defenders: Emily Doogan (Keadue Rovers), Leah Ward (Keadue Rovers), Aoife Kilpatrick (Milford United), Leanne Gordon (Milford United), Brooke Johnston (Raphoe Town). Midfielders: Kate McMenamin (Finn Valley), Amy Lateef (Lagan Harps), Alex Crawford (Drumbar United), Ava Greer (Milford United), Aisling McGinley (Letterkenny Rovers). Wingers: Neasa Diver (Gweedore United), Caoimhe Sleigh (Finn Valley), Ella Brennan (Illistrin), Ruby Sheridan (Bonagee United), Rhea Robinson (Bonagee United) Mollie Elliott (St Catherine’s). Strikers: Savanna Keys (Letterkenny Rovers), Tara McDaid (Bonagee United)