Home Fixtures Results News Archive Gallery Links
 
 

Donegal take Ulster Minor honours
     
Donegal weathered a second-half onslaught in Ballybofey on Tuesday night to retain the Ulster Minor title on a 3-8 to 1-9 scoreline against Tyrone
The hosts got off to the perfect start with captain Yvonne Mc Monagle finding the net either side of a Ciara Buggy goal to open up a three-goal cushion with only eight minutes played. A shell-shocked Tyrone defence continued to concede, with points from Mc Monagle, Buggy and Marie Herron taking their sides total to 3-3 with Tyrone yet to register a score.
It was the eleventh minute before full-forward Claire Gallagher converted a twenty metre free to open the Red Hand girls account, to which Donegal’s Shiela Campbell responded immediately with a pointed free to restore the twelve point margin.
With a quarter of the game played, Tyrone finally clicked into gear. Jolene Donnelly led the charge from her corner forward berth, as she fired over her sides second score of the day. Donegal ‘keeper Karen Guttery was to have a torrid evening, with almost incessant pressure on her square, and the shotstopper was somewhat unfortunate to have been deemed to have charged out with the ball as referee Paul Swift awarded a free against her. This decision seemed to deal a severe blow to Guttery’s play and confidence, as it left her weary for the remainder of the tie.
Gallagher once again obliged by converting the resultant free kick, and another point from the lively Donnelly further boosted confidence in the Tyrone attack as Gallagher sailed another fine effort between the posts. Wing half forward Claire Mc Alliskey also got in on the scoring act, as her point from distance brought the deficit to seven points.
Donegal staged a late rally of their own and finished the half strongest with points from Niamh Hegarty and midfielder Bridget Gallagher making the half time scoreline 3-6 to 0-6 in the home sides favour.

The half time introduction of Under 16 Captain Neamh Woods to the Tyrone side was to be the key reason for the upturn in her sides fortunes as her ball-winning ability and high work rate proved the platform for many of Tyrone’s best play in the second period. Claire Gallagher pointed first, before a high ball in was spilled by Donegal keeper Guttery for the same player to pounce on the opportunity as she fired to the net.
Tyrone persisted with their high ball tactic throughout the second half and piled the pressure on Guttery who dealt well with the majority whilst receiving little or no protection from the referee as she struggled to field against the Tyrone attackers, but pulled off a string of fine saves to keep her side in front.
Claire Mc Alliskey added her second point of the day before Shiela Campbell pointed to help calm Donegal nerves. At the other end of the field, the bombardment of the Donegal goal area continued as Tyrone added further physical presence to their attack by switching goalkeeper Katrina Daly outfield.
Maire Slane’s point for Tyrone reduced the lead to four points, and Gallagher had a gilt-edged opportunity to further reduce the deficit as Guttery spilled the ball under pressure, but the attackers toe-poked effort could only find the side netting with the goal seemingly at her mercy. Gallagher and Daly hit further wides as Tyrone struggled to turn their possession into scores.
Indeed, they failed to score in the closing fifteen minutes and kicked three further wides as Donegal weathered the storm to protect their slender lead. Tyrone played out the last ten minutes with a numerical advantage as Donegal’s Niamh Hegarty was sin binned for what seemed an innocuous challenge, but it was all hands on deck as the home side not only weathered the storm, but saw Lisa Byrne fire over an excellent individual point on the break to secure a hard-fought win.

Teams & Scorers

Tyrone: Katrina Daly, Cathy Donnelly, Alana Arthurs, Louise Mc Callan, Joanne Donnelly, Lisa Mc Alliskey, Carol Dooher, Mary Cassidy, Sarah Donnelly, Claire Mc Alliskey (0-2), Dearbhla Mc Callan, Maire Slane (0-1), Jolene Donnelly (0-2), Claire Gallagher (1-4), Shauna Mc Quaid
Subs Used: Neamh Woods, Sinead Mc Vey

Donegal: Karen Guttery, Anne-Marie Mc Glynn, Sarah Faulkner, Emma Lawne, Deidre Mc Dermott, Aoife Watters, Aisling Corcoran, Bridget Gallagher (0-1), Marie Herron (0-1), Ciara Buggy (1-1), Shiela Campbell (0-2), Carol Breslin, Niamh Hegarty (0-1), Yvonne Mc Monagle (2-1), Deidre Walsh
Sub Used: Lisa Byrne (0-1)
 
©Tyroneladiesgaa.com 2005    
Site Designed and Maintained by
Eplus Design