Half-time report: Donegal ladies put in terrific first half in Ulster final

DONEGAL ARE IN a great position at half-time in the Ulster Ladies final in Clones.

The side managed by Michael Naughton are 3-5 to 0-9 up on Monaghan but there’s still work to be done yet.

Donegal grabbed a goal on four minutes, which deflected in off Sharon Courtney from Roisin Friel’s shot following a centre from Karen Guthrie. It gave Donegal a 1-1 to 0-1 lead and eight minutes later, there was further reason for cheer.

Yvonne McMonagle won the race against Linda Martin in the Monaghan goal to bravely punch home a second Donegal goal. The Glenfin forward finished off a move that had involved Niamh Hegarty and Katy Herron and Donegal were 2-2 to 0-2 in front.

Donegal almost grabbed a third goal on 13 minutes only for Martin in the Monaghan goal to save from Geraldine McLaughin after an inventive crossfield pass from McMonagle, who was at the corner-flag.

Then, when Niamh Hegarty hit the Monaghan crossbar three minutes before half-time, Monaghan survived the follow-up as Rosemary Courtney blocked McMonagle’s rebound on the line. However, Herron’s clipped 45 released McMonagle in space and she squared for McLaughlin to slap in a third Donegal goal.

Monaghan, though, have looked lively with Ellen McCarron – sister of Jack from Monaghan’s men’s team – having scored five first half points.

More to follow …