DONEGAL’S GAA ladies team were well beaten in their final league game of the season by the side which is now dominating the sport – Cork.
Defending champions Cork will now meet Laois in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies’ National Football League Division 1 final on Saturday May 7th.
Rampant Cork, chasing a fourth successive League crown, hammered last year’s Division 2 champions Donegal by 7-16 to 1-10 in their semi-final at Tuam Stadium on Sunday, while Laois recorded a 2-11 to 1-10 victory over Monaghan in Ballymahon, Longford, on Sunday.
Those results have set up a first Division 1 final meeting between Cork and Laois since 1993.
At Tuam Stadium, all six of Cork’s starting forwards scored goals as the holders outclassed Donegal.
Valerie Mulcahy finished as top scorer for the Leesiders with 1-5, Orla Farmer bagged 2-1, Amy O’Shea hit 1-3, Rhona Buckley and Nollaig Cleary collected 1-2 each and Grace Kearney grabbed the other goal.
Cork led by 4-7 to 0-7 at half-time before Geraldine McLaughlin hit a consolation goal for Donegal in the second half from a penalty.
Meanwhile, Laois overturned a two-point half-time deficit to record what will be viewed as an upset against Monaghan.
Martha Kirwan and Sinead Doogue scored the goals for Laois, who trailed by 1-5 to 1-7 at the break, on a day when Tracey Lawlor hit 0-6 for the O’Moore County.
Aoife McAnespie scored Monaghan’s first half goal, but Cora Courtney saw her second half penalty saved by Laois goalkeeper Ciamh Dollard.
Laois introduced their full compliment of five subs and fresh legs made a huge difference in the second half as the winners held on to reach a first Division 1 final since 2003.
RESULTS:
Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals:
Monaghan 1-10 Laois 2-11
Cork 7-16 Donegal 1-10
Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 semi-finals:
Kerry 0-11 Meath 1-11
Dublin 3-12 Cavan 1-9
Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3 semi-finals:
Clare 5-13 Wicklow 2-12
Fermanagh 4-7 Down 1-15
Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4 semi-finals:
Westmeath 2-22 Offaly 1-11
Roscommon 2-15 Louth 2-6
