Report: Second half display seals league title for Donegal

Donegal 2-7
Cavan 0-8

By Damien Donohoe

DONEGAL were crowned Lidl National Football League Division 2 champions after a powerful second-half display saw them overturn a three-point deficit to defeat Cavan in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Cavan made an impressive start and looked in control for long periods. Ella Sheridan led the charge, opening the scoring inside the first minute before adding further frees as Cavan built a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 22nd minute. Sinéad Greene also chipped in with a fine effort as Cavan dominated possession but struggled to fully capitalise.

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Donegal, however, finished the half strongly. Katie Dowds got them up and running with a well-taken point before adding a second soon after, leaving just two between the sides at the break to 0-4 to 0-2.

Cavan stretched their lead early in the second half through another Sheridan free, but Donegal quickly found their rhythm with the wind at their backs. Susanne White converted two frees to close the gap before Ciara McGarvey levelled matters following a slick attacking move.

Donegal were reduced to 14 players when Roisin Rodgers was shown a yellow card seven minutes after the break, but they responded well. The turning point arrived shortly after when Mia Bennett reacted quickest to palm the ball to the net after an initial effort dropped short, giving Donegal a lead they would not relinquish.

Cavan responded through Catherine Dolan, but Donegal pushed on with points from Dowds and substitute Eva Gallagher to open up a four-point cushion. Any hopes of a comeback were ended when Dowds finished clinically for Donegal’s second goal after a clever assist from McGarvey.

Despite a late point from Sheridan and a strong defensive effort, including a fine save from goalkeeper Evelyn Baugh, Cavan couldn’t bridge the gap. Donegal’s clinical finishing and second-half dominance ultimately proved the difference as they claimed the Division 2 title.

Scorers:

Donegal: K Dowds 1-3, M Bennett 1-0, S White 0-2f, C McGarvey 0-1, E Gallagher 0-1.

Cavan: E Sheridan 0-6 (4f), S Greene 0-1, C Dolan 0-1.

DONEGAL: C Friel; N Carr, E McGinley, S McFeely; T Hegarty, F McManamon, S McFadden; C Brennan, R Rodgers (c); B McLaughlin, K Dowds, N Boyle; S White, M Bennett, C McGarvey.
Subs: E Gallagher for C Brennan; U Boyle for M Bennett.

CAVAN: E Baugh; S Kelly, A Kennedy, S Greene; C Charters, D Lynch, Z Fay; M Fitzpatrick, K McCormack; C Dolan, E Sheridan, N Keenaghan; S Lynch, A Sheridan, K M Reilly.
Subs: E Brady for Fitzpatrick; L Crowe for D Lynch; C McCaffrey for McCormack; N McCorry for Reilly; C Lynch for Keenaghan.

Referee: A Gallagher (Dublin).