McLaughlin hat trick seals victory for Donegal
- Feb 10,2013
McLaughlin hat track seals victory for Donegal...
Dublin 2-07 Donegal 3-10
Donegal came away from a rain soaked Chanel College, the new home of Parnell's GAA club, with an invaluable six point win over Dublin. Donegal star forward Geraldine McLaughlin was in superb form throughout the sixty minutes giving both Leah Caffrey and Rachel Byrne a torrid afternoon in the Dublin defence. McLaughlin ended the game with a personnel tally of 3-5 with 3-3 scored by the Termon ace from play.
Dublin received an early blow when 2011 All Star Elaine Kelly, picked up a leg injury in the warm up her place taken by Hannah Tyrell of Round Towers Clondalkin. Worryingly, Dublin's injury list is beginning to mount up with the Jackie's losing the services of both Orlagh Egan (shoulder) and Niamh McEvoy (knee) in last Sunday's opening round versus Meath.
Dublin will be disappointed with today's encounter their lack or preseason training combined with match sharpness was evident while Donegal under new manager Hugh Molloy had the look of a team who had wintered well. Donegal supported each other totally throughout the match while their astuteness and fitness levels, noticeably a measure ahead of their metropolitan's rivals.
However Dublin interim manager, Paul Gilheaney will be heartened by the performances of Sinead Goldrick, Sinead Finnegan and Noelle Healy who battled hard for the Sky Blues throughout the sixty minutes. Plus the return of Rachel Ruddy was a welcoming sight as the Ballyboden St Endas star, having been introduced at half time had taken time out from her Dublin duties to prepare for her clubs white collar fund raising boxing event.
As the old saying goes "no silverware is won in February" so Dublin although disappointed with todays results will now refocus ahead of next weekend's away trip to the midlands and a clash with Leinster foes, Laois. Laois under new manager, Tom McKittrick have secured two wins out of two in the league to date following victories over Donegal and Tyrone respectively.
Else where in division one Cork overcame the challenge of Meath while the clash of Mayo and Monaghan was postponed due to an unplayable pitch. Mayo manager and former Dublin boss, Peter Clarke was a spectator in Chanel College today no doubt taking notes as Mayo will welcome Donegal to the west next Sunday.
Dublin: Emma Merrigan, Rachel Byrne, Sinead Goldrick, Leah Caffrey, Natalia Hyland, Sinead Finnegan, Niamh Keane, Amy McGuinness, Noelle Healy, Ciara Ruddy, Lyndsay Davey, Siobhan Woods, Sinead Aherne, Denise McKenna, Hannah Tyrell.
Subs: HT Rachel Ruddy for Keane, HT Amy Ring for Ciara Ruddy, HT Rebecca Davey for McKenna, Emma McDonagh for Aherne.
Scorers: Siobhan Woods 1-01, Sinead Aherne 0-04 (2F), Denise McKenna 1-00, Lyndsay Davey 0-01, Amy McGuinness 0-01 (1F)
Donegal: Roisin McCafferty, Orla Carr, Nicole McLaughlin, Katie Herron, Trese McCafferty, Deirdre Foley, Emer Gallagher, Karen Guthrie, Ciara Hegarty, Roisin Friel, Niamh McLaughlin, Lorraine Molloy, Aisleen Cunningham, Eilish Ward, Geraldine McLaughlin
Scorers: Geraldine McLaughlin 3-05 (2F), Karen Guthrie, Eilish Ward, Deirdre Foley and Lorraine Molloy 0-01 each
Referee: James Flood (Wexford)
Photos from the game can be found on GAApics.com click here
