Cavan ladies go top of the league after huge Ulster derby win

Ladies NFL Division 2

Cavan 1-6

Donegal 0-7

Aideen Coyle at Fr Tierney Park

Sunday’s meeting between Donegal and Cavan in Ballyshannon was a highly anticipated Ulster derby, with both teams entering the tie unbeaten. Donegal came in top of the table, two points ahead of Cavan, with maximum points from their opening games. The side managed by former Cavan ladies manager James Daly were aiming to preserve their 100 per cent record.

Cavan, on the other hand, entered the game full of confidence off the back of successive wins over Tipperary and Wexford, along with an opening-round draw with Mayo.

Cavan won the toss but opted to play against the elements in the opening half and went in at the break level after the hosts squandered ample scoring opportunities in a low-scoring first period. A goal with just over a minute played from Niamh Keenaghan proved crucial as Cavan dug deep to run out two-point winners and go top of the Division 2 league with three games remaining.

Emmet Daly handed Katie Mai Reilly her National League debut, with the Knockbride woman one of three changes from the team that beat Wexford, alongside Lucy Crowe and Micaela Fitzpatrick, who both came into the starting line-up.

Daly’s side made a dream start to the tie as, with 90 seconds on the clock, Niamh Keenaghan rattled the net for the game’s only goal. A superb pass from Christina Charters split the defence and picked out Keenaghan, who finished clinically to the back of the net. Playing with the aid of the breeze, Donegal responded with two points in succession from taliswoman Susanne White and Ciara McGarvey.

Six minutes after her goal, Keenaghan pointed from distance to extend Cavan’s lead to two. However, the Breffni women failed to score for the remainder of the half as Donegal’s defensive structure proved difficult to break down. Despite not adding to their tally, Cavan played a very clever, patient possession game, making it difficult for Donegal to build momentum. Despite creating ample chances, Donegal added just two further points to their first-half tally.

Katie Dowds reduced the deficit to one midway through the half before Donegal hit a hat-trick of wides. As the half-time whistle loomed, a foul on Nicole Gordon led to a scoreable free for White to tap over, leaving the teams level going into the break.

Having trailed for most of the tie, Donegal took the lead for the first time five minutes after the resumption as White fisted over from close range. James Daly introduced Ulitah Boyle, but minutes after her introduction the attacker was shown a yellow card.

Playing with the numerical advantage and with the wind at their backs, Cavan retook control of the contest, outscoring the hosts four points to two during the 10-minute sin bin period.

After an earlier missed opportunity, Keri McCormack cut through the Donegal defence and pointed a fine effort to leave the sides level for the second time. Niamh Keenaghan, continuing her excellent form from the opening half, got her name on the scoresheet once again with a sublime strike.

However, Cavan’s lead was only momentary as the sides were back level when White pointed from a free won by the hardworking McGarvey. Cavan continued to work the Donegal defence and reaped the benefits of patient build-up play with two points in quick succession, pushing them into a two-point advantage as Donegal returned to a full complement of players.

Aishling Sheridan, who was well marshalled by Roisin Rodgers, brilliantly won the ball in front of her marker before pointing. Moments later, Ella Sheridan got her name on the scoresheet with a free from distance.

The table toppers replied with a pointed free of their own from Eva Gallagher to set up a nervy conclusion, as one point separated the sides. However, Cavan finished strongest to secure a deserved victory, having led for the majority of the round four clash.

A superb dispossession from the industrious Micaela Fitzpatrick thwarted Donegal’s final attack and set up Cavan for the insurance score. The ball broke to captain Sheridan, who drove at the hosts’ defence and earned a free. From the resulting kick, Ella Sheridan played a long ball into Aishling Sheridan, who won the aerial ball and pointed her second score of the game to seal the win for the Cavan ladies, who now go top of the Division 2 National League table.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Lucy Crowe, Sinead Kelly, Zara Fay, Emma McIntyre, Christina Charters, Deirbhile Lynch, Micaela Fitzpatrick, Keri McCormack, Niamh Keenaghan 1-02, Ella Sheridan 0-02 (0-01f), Catherine Dolan, Clara Lynch, Aishling Sheridan 0-02, Katie Mai Reilly

Subs: Aisling Doughty for N Keenaghan, Rebecca McLoughlin for C Lynch

Donegal: Claire Friel, Niamh Carr, Evelyn McGinley, Sophie McFeeley, Tara Hegarty, Feena McManamon, Ava Caulfield, Clodagh Brennan, Roisin Rodgers, Blathnaid McLoughlin, Katie Dowds 0-01, Niamh Boyle, Susanne White 0-04 (0-02f), Nicole Gordon, Ciara McGarvey 0-01

Subs: Ulitah Boyle for C Brennan, Mia Bennett for B McLoughlin, Shauna McFadden for N Gordon, Eva Gallagher 0-01 (0-01f) for S White, Cait Gillespie for T Hegarty, Rhiana McColgan for A Caulfield, Jodie McFadden for C McGarvey

Ref: David Hurson (Monaghan)