Donegal lose All-Ireland opener to Galway

TG4 All-Ireland SFC

Galway 1-11 Donegal 1-2

By Darren Kelly

GALWAY secured their place in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals as Ailbhe Davoren’s goal before half-time set up this nine point victory over Donegal in Lifford.

The Tribeswomen, having already overcome Tipperary, are now guaranteed to finish Group 1 winners and will host their next game in Tuam Stadium.

Donegal were making their championship bow five weeks after losing the Ulster final to Armagh and worked hard in keeping Galway’s attack limited. Aoife Molloy, starting her first game since an injury in the 2024 league against Mayo, opened Galway’s account on six minutes.

They didn’t score again until the 25th minute and kicked five wides. Donegal kept breaking up opposing attacks but struggled to create at the other end. Molloy also nearly set up Andrea Trill on 19 minutes.

But the breakthrough came six minutes later when 2024 player of the year Nicola Ward spotted a gap, played a one-two with Lynsey Noone, before delivering into Davoren who kicked to the net. An Eva Noone score in the final minute gave Galway a 1-2 to 0-0 interval advantage.

Donegal pushed forward upon the restart but found themselves further behind after being intercepted. Davoren pointed on two minutes; Olivia Divilly converted a free while Andrea Trill and Leanne Coen split the posts to push Galway 1-6 to 0-0 clear.

However, the home faithful were rewarded on 37 minutes when Feena McManamon sent Katie Dowds forward and she registered.

The reprieve was short lived as Galway replied with scores from the three Divilly sisters. Siobhán and substitute Niamh tallied either side of Olivia’s free before Trill made it 1-10 to 0-1 on 24 minutes.

But Donegal, who travel to Tipperary next week to determine Group 1’s runners-up, finished strongly. Susanne White registered a 26th minute free before assisting in their goal. Dowds’ ball forced a save from keeper Dearbhla Gower but Mia Bennett was quickest for the three-pointer.

Olivia Divilly had the final say with her third point on 28 minutes giving the girls in maroon the result, meaning they host another group runner-up in July’s quarter-final.

Scorers

Galway: A Davoren 1-1; O Divilly 0-3 (2f); A Trill 0-2; A Molloy, E Noone, L Coen, S Divilly, N Divilly 0-1 each.

Donegal: M Bennett 1-0; K Dowds, S White (1f) 0-1 each.

GALWAY: D Gower; B Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty; H Noone, N Ward, A Molloy; L Ward, S Divilly; L Noone, O Divilly, A Davoren; E Noone, L Coen, A Trill.
Subs: N Divilly for Coen (44), A O’Rourke for L Noone (49), A Eilian for Ni Loingsigh (49), M Glynn for L Ward (53), M Banek for Davoren (53).

DONEGAL: C Friel; S McFadden, A Temple Asokuh, S McFeeley; B McLaughlin, E McGinley, C Gillespie; R Rodgers, R McColgan; S White, K Dowds, F McManamon; E Gallagher, J McFadden, N Boyle.
Subs: M Bennett for McFadden (HT), A O’Neill for Gallagher (42), TR Mahon for McManamon (54), N Harkin for Gillespie (60).

Referee: Brendan Rice (Down).