Lidl NFL Division Two semi-final: Donegal 0-13 Cavan 0-6
A STRONG second half performance saw Donegal overcome a spirited Cavan side in Beragh on Saturday to set up a meeting with Westmeath in the Division Two in a fortnight.
In the end seven points separated the sides, but at half-time it was still all very much to play for with the sides locked at four points apiece. However, with the reliable Geraldine McLaughlin hitting eight points, Michéal Naughton’s charges took control on the resumption.
On 20 minutes, Cavan were awarded a penalty but Aisling Doonan fired it wide of the target. At the other end, both McLaughlin and Yvonne McMonagle struck the woodwork.
Before Doonan’s miss the sides had traded two points apiece, McLaughlin and Grainne Heuston for the winners while Rosie Crowe and Doonan were on target for Cavan. The
Donegal duo also struck for their other first half scores with Doonan and Roisin O’Keefe replying.
Donna English edged Cavan in front but five in-a-row from Donegal saw them take control. McLaughlin (three), McMonagle and Amber Barrett all raised the white flag.
Doonan hit a much-needed Cavan point at the end of the third quarter but this was to be their last score.
McLaughlin scored another three points while Deirdre Foley got one as Donegal powered to their second successive league final after losing out to Armagh last year. In the other semi-final Westmeath overcame Clare 4-12 to 1-11 in Banagher.
The lake county girls doing all the dame in a blistering opening half building up an unassailable 4-6 to 0-3 lead, the goals from Ruth O’Connor (2), Joanna Maher and Leona Archibald.
