TERMON star Geraldine McLaughlin was the star performer as Donegal senior ladies team guaranteed another season in the Bord Gais Energy Division One next season with a 3-04 to 1-08 win over Mayo in Ballyshannon.
Geraldine was at her star best – and is fast becoming one of the best ladies footballers in the country.
And certainly after her three goals against Mayo, manager Eamon O’Boyle does not disagree.
“Goals win games and we all know that given half a chance Geraldine will put them away,” said O’Boyle.
“We’re now safe in Division One which was our aim at the start of the campaign.”
Mayo’s Sullivan had opened the scoring before Donegal hit back with two points from Yvonne McMonagle who then turned provider with a superb pass to put McLaughlin in for her first goal.
Mayo came back with a couple of points of their own and just before half-time McLaughlin added a second goal with a cool chip of goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne.
Mayo to their credit hit two more scores to leave them two points behind at the break.
At the re-start the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty which Staunton put over the bar.
Within a minute McLaughlin netted for the third time and Donegal stretched their lead to five points through McMonagle – even though two home players were off the pitch for yellow cards.