So close and yet so far for Donegal ladies

Cork . . . . . . 2-11

Donegal . . . 0-11

So close and yet so far!

It was just not to be Donegal’s day as a physically stronger and very astute Cork side had just too much power and panache in Dr Hyde Park on Saturday.

Two goals seperated the sides in the end with Orla Finn and super sub Saoirse Noonan striking with deadly effect in the 15th and 56th minutes for the Rebelettes.

Karen Guthrie of Donegal in action against Roisin Phelan of Cork during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Cork and Donegal at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile 

Donegal had two great goal chances themselves, but team captain Karen Guthrie could only watch as her rasping shot skimmed the crossbar in the 28th minute.

And Sarah Jane McDonald had a good chance of a goal brilliantly blocked by Cork corner back Eimear Meaney.

Tir Conaill also hit three fairly bad wides in the run up to halftime.

And they gave possession away at crucial times which Cork punished ruthlessly.

Cork settled swiftly and ace free taker Orla Finn was fouled but inexplicably hit the 14 metre free wide.

Donegal looked a bit hesitant and Eimear Scally ruthlessly punished them when Ciara Hegarty gave away possession and the flying Cork forward arrowed her way through the Tir Conaill defence before landing the first score in the 2nd minute.

Finn then made up for the earlier easy miss with a simple tap over two minutes later.

Cork were on top, but also hit three bad wides before Geraldine McLaughlin produced a bit of magic in the 10th minute by creating and finishing a point.

This was quickly by another point from team captain Karen Guthrie to level matters.

But Cork struck swiftly like a rattlesnake at a table- cloth with Scally converting from an acute angle.

Guthrie equalized again with a superb effort from the wing in the 16th minute.

Shauna Kelly of Cork in action against Sarah Jane McDonald of Donegal during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Cork and Donegal at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon. PICTURE: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 

DISASTER STRIKES

But disaster struck for Tir Conaill in the 20th minute when Cork’s powerful wing forward used all her power to cut through the Donegal defence before finding Finn on the edge of the square.

And the fair-haired Finn had the simplest of tasks of tapping home to the net.

It was a big blow to Donegal but Guthrie replied with a cooly converted free after Geraldine McLaughlin was fouled.

Doireann O’Sullivan and Finn stretched the Cork lead to 1-6 to 0-4, as Donegal hit three bad wides from Yvonne Bonner, Geraldine McLaughlin and Katy Herron.

But they created a great goaling chance in the 28th minute when Guthrie found herself clear on goal, but her hard hit shot skimmed the crossbar to leave Cork leading by 1-6 to 0-5 at the break. 

The second half was a real cat and mouse affair with Cork repeatedly moving five points clear, only for a determined Donegal hauling them back to just a goal defecit.

And the Rebelettes produced teenage sensation Saoirse Noonan who kicked a 25 metre free with all the aplomb of a veteran with her first touch of the ball in the 35th minute.

Donegal came out of their defensive game plan which had brilliantly restricted the deadly Cork attack to just a goal until the 57th minute when Noonan showed the ice cool nerves of a veteran before hitting Cork’s final goal.

Geraldine McLaughlin evaded her tight markers and hit a few fine points from frees and play.

But Cork’ vast craft and experience saw them through to yet another All-Ireland decider.

PROUD

But this Donegal team has done themselves and their county proud and they continued to press to the bitter end.

They will be back next year a year older, wiser and stronger!

DONEGAL: Laura Gallagher, Treasa Doherty, Nicole McLaughlin, Deirdre Foley; Therese McCafferty, Ciara Hegarty, Anne Marie McGlynn; Katy Herron (0-1) Karen Guthrie (0-42f) Olive McCafferty, Niamh Hegarty, Sarah Jane McDonald; Geraldine McLaughlin (0-53f) Yvonne Bonner (0-1), Kate Keaney. Subs: Aoife McDonnell for Kate Keaney (16) Eilish Ward for Niamh Hegarty (46), Amy Boyle Carr for Kate Keaney (53), Niamh Hegarty for Anne Marie McGlynn (56)

CORK: Martina O’Brien, Eimear Meaney, Roisin Phelan, Melissa Duggan; Maire O’Callaghan, Shauna Kelly, Emma Spillane; Ashling Hutchings, Hannah Looney; Ciara O’Sullivan, Libby Coppinger, Eimear Scally (0-2); Aine O’Sullivan, Doireann O’ Sullivan (0-3), Orla Finn (1-3f). Subs: Saoirse Noonan (0-3f) for Aine O’Sullivan (37), Orlagh Farmer for Orla Finn (37). Orla Finn for Ashling Hutchings (50)

Referee: Brendan Rice (Down)