Donegal face highs and lows of penalty shootout drama at Gaynor Cup

Donegal's Gaynor Cup side finished 18th in the standings after the week of competition in Limerick.

After finishing third in their group, Donegal went into the Gaynor Shield competition where they advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Carlow on penalties.

After a scoreless draw, it went to a shootout and Ava Greer, Emily Doogan, Tara McDaid and Megan McGinley all converted their penalties for Brid McGinty and John Francis Doogan's side to win 4-3.

They weren't as fortunate in the final four however as they were defeated 3-1 on penalties to North Tipperary after a 1-1 draw, Amy Lateef scoring in normal time.

And in their final placing match against fellow beaten semi-finalists Sligo/Leitrim, who ran out 2-0 winners on Friday.

Donegal won their opening game on Monday with a 1-0 win over neighbours Derry, with the only goal of the game coming from 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 Róise Dorgan headed in.

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 and with NERL defeating Derry, it meant the Donegal girls finished third in their group.

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).