2 wins from 4 for Donegal as they beat Monaghan in Ulster derby

Lidl NFL Division 1 Rd 4

Donegal 1-7 Monaghan 1-4

By Alan Gunn

DONEGAL made it back-to-back victories after a hard fought win over Ulster rivals Monaghan in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

For Monaghan they had their chances to have taken something from the game but wasted a number of opportunities particularly in the opening half. Yvonne Bonner’s goal on six minutes the highlight of an error-ridden opening half that ended with the visitors ahead 1-4 to 0-2.

The Glenfin forward had rattled the crossbar with 25 seconds on the clock as Donegal started the brighter and by the 13^th minute, led 1-2 to 0-0 – Karen Guthrie and Katy Herron with the points. At the other end, Monaghan were wasteful and after seeing her sister, Cora, miss two frees, Rosemary Courtney took over and converted for her sides opening score on 16 minutes.

Bonner responded with a free but it was Monaghan that were enjoying more of the possession and had a glorious goal chance when Eimear McAnespie drove with just Laura Gallagher to beat on 23 minutes. Rosemary Courtney and Guthrie exchanged points before the break.

Herron stretched the lead on the resumption but the home side hit back with a goal from Aisling McAnespie before Rosemary Courtney’s free suddenly left it a two-point game. Donegal were offered a great chance to take control again when a foul on Bonner saw them awarded a penalty, but the same player saw her effort rattle off the post and from the rebound, Edel Corrigan turned the ball around the post.

Geraldine McLaughlin was sent from the bench to a loud roar from the travelling support before Guthrie with a free moved her side three clear. With 12 minutes remaining McLaughlin played in Bonner for a point but back came Monaghan and a drive from Aisling McAnespie went over off the top of the crossbar.

That was to be the final score of the game as both sides missed chances in the final 18 minutes – including the six additional – as Donegal held out for the win.

Scorers

Monaghan: A McAnespie 1-1; R Courtney 0-3, f;

Donegal: Y Bonner 1-2, 0-1f; K Guthrie 0-3, 0-1f; K Herron 0-2

Monaghan: E Corrigan; R McKenna, H Kingham, J Fitzpatrick; A McAnespie, S Courtney, S Coyle; H McSkeane, M Atkinson; E McAnespie, K Duffy, R Courtney; E Woods, C Courtney, C McAnespie. 

Subs: McAnespie for Woods (19), F Courtney for E McAnespie, T Scott for McSkeane (both 49), B Ward for Atkinson (60) 

Donegal: L Gallagher; T Doherty, N McLaughlin, O McCafferty; E Ward, C Hegarty, A McDonnell; K Herron, E Gallagher; K Guthrie, N Hegarty, B McLoughlin; R Friel, Y Bonner, S J McDonald.

Subs: G McLaughlin for Ward (37), C Grant for McDonald, G Houston for E Gallagher (both 49)

Referee: K McKeever (Armagh)