Dungloe crowned Division 2 winners following victory over Gaeil Fhánada

Dungloe are celebrating back to back Donegal LGFA league titles following this afternoon's Division Two win over Gaeil Fhánada, in Downings.

Dungloe 3-9 Gaeil Fhanada 1-9

Saskia Boyle, Ava Caulfield and Patreece Boyle scored the goals  for the Tony Boyle managed side.  The girls from Rosses Park, already looking to Division One football for the first time next season ahead of Sunday’s final, started well. 

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, the champions in waiting set their stall out from very early and with Caulfield and Cora Wallace pulling the strings  in the middle of the field and Katie Wallace, Claire Diver, Rhianna McCready and Ulitah Boyle busy up front, they raced into an early lead. 

They led 0-3 to 0-1 after 14 minutes thanks to points from Wallace, McCready and Uilitah Boyle and as they pushed up on the Gaeil Fhánada defence, they were 0-6 to 0-2 up by the 21 st minute. 

Miriam Carr scored the two points for Gaeil Fhánada who were restricted to limited break out of their own half. 

And it even got better for Dungloe when Wallace picked out Caulfield with a delightful pass to send the midfielder through on the Gaeil Fhánada posts to smash to the roof of Roisheen McGinley’s net for a 1-6 to 0-2 scoreline.

Tara Katie Geoghegan and Saskia Boyle added the tally before Mairead Coll pulled a point back on the stroke of half-time for a 1-7 to 0-3, Dungloe lead at the break. 

Caulfield and Claire Diver extended the Dungloe lead on the resumption. And they were on their way to victory when Caulfield got on the end of a good move for a second Dungloe goal. That was in 40 minutes and a 2-9 to 0-4 lead.

With Gaeil Fhánada manager John McConigley ringing the changes responded well to the Dungloe goal. The game was originally fixed for the Bridge, Dunfanaghy but was moved to Downings because the pitch at the St Michael’s ground was waterlogged. 

Lauren Carr and Eimear Sweeney landed points and when Carr converted from the penalty spot with under ten minutes remaining the fat was back in the fire. 

The Dungloe lead was now down to six points. But a third Dungloe goal, with the clock ticking on full time, sealed the win. Boyle was quickest to react there when the ball came back off the upright to drive home for a 3-9 to 1-6 scoreline.

Gaeil Fhánada continued to press in injury time and scored three late points but it was Dungloe who were crowned champions and promoted for the second season in row. 

Dungloe scorers: Ava Caulfield 1-1, Rhianna McCready 0-3, 2f, Saskia Boyle, Patrice Boyle 1-0 each, Katie Wallace  0-2, 2f, Ulitah Boyle, Tara Katie Geoghegan, Claire Diver 0-1 each. 

Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Lauren Carr 1-2, 1-0 pen, 1f, Miriam Carr 0-3, Rachael Sweeney  0-2, Hannah Shiels, Caoimhe Walsh 0-1 each. 

Dungloe: Ellie McGarvey; Laura Doherty, Ellie Ward, Breena Boyle; Sara O’Boyle, Saskia Boyle, Aine Boner; Ava Caulfield, Cora Wallace;  Katie Wallace, Claire Diver, Rhianna McCready; Ulitah Boyle, Patrice Boyle, Tara Kate Geoghegan.  

Subs; Arianna Bonner for L Doherty (5, inj); Bridgín Walsh for A Bonner (41); Aoife McGee for B Boyle(45).

Gaeil Fhanada: Rosheen McGinley; Meabh Duffy, Victoria Gallagher, Meabh McAteer; Aoife Gibbons, Margaret Friel, Caithlín Heraghty; Eimear Sweeney, Eimear Gibbons; Siobhan Sweeney, Miriam Carr, Lauren Carr; Hannah Shields, Caoimhe Walsh, Mairead Coll. 

Subs used; Rachael Sweeney. Aishling Howe, Shauna Howe, Ciara Friel, Jessica Coll, Iseult Ní Mhathona, Clare Friel, Niambh McDevitt, Eiibhlin Shields. 

Referee; Declan Callaghan (Kilcar).