Armagh 1-11 Donegal 0-06

Niamh Hegarty opened the scoring with a great individual point but that was quickly cancelled out by a Caroline O’Hanlon free kick. Armagh dominated the early exchanges with Dervla Toal, Mags McAlinden and Laura Brown particularly influential. Points from Caroline O’Hanlon, Meabh Moriarty and Mags McAlinden saw Armagh race into a 6-3 lead. Minutes later corner forward O’Hanlon took a pass from Shauna O’Hagan and planted a cracking shot to the top right hand corner of the net. A Sinead McCleary point saw Armagh finish the half with a flourish leaving the half time score Armagh 1-07 to Donegal 0-03.

The pace of the game dropped in the second half with Donegal never really threatening to eat into Armagh’s lead. Armagh played some very effective football and they always had a player available to take a pass. Caitlin Malone opened Armagh’s second half scoring with a great point. Donegal briefly threatened with points from Elish Ward and Kelly Wilson but the Armagh defence stood firm. Clodagh McCann and Dervla Toal in particular thwarted numerous Donegal attacks. Any time Denise Hagan was threatened she was more than fit for what the Donegal attack could throw at her.

A brace of Caroline O’Hanlon points and a fine effort from Maria O’Donnell left the scoreline reading 1-11 to 0-06 and ensures Armagh Ladies will compete in the Senior championship next year.

Armagh D Hagan, C Marley, D Toal, N Marley, G McAlinden, C McCann, R McKeever, M Moriarty (0-1), S McCleary (0-1) L Brown (0-1), M McAlinden (0-1), M O’Donnell (0-1), C O’Hanlon (1-05), C Malone (0-1) S O’Hagan Subs used: S Reel for L Brown, K Mallon for C Malone, S McCoy for M O’Donnell

Donegal R McCafferty, T McCafferty, S Faulkner, L Malarky, D Foley, C Hegarty, G McCafferty, N Stapleton, A McDonnell, E Ward, K Guthrie, A Doherty, D Toner, N Hegarty, T Doherty