Swilly Rovers had the edge on Mulroy Academy S in the Donegal Women’s League Under-12 Charity Shield final in Ramelton this evening.
Swilly Rovers 3 Mulroy Academy S 2
Captain Claire McCarron, Caitlain Doherty and Susie Diver got the goals for Swilly, who were pushed all the way by battling Mulroy, who might well have taken the game to penalties.
McCarron and Doherty had Swilly 2-0 up by half-time, but Mulroy hit back twice in the second half.
Swilly clung on to collect the Charity Shield following an exciting tussle.
The proceeds from the game are going towards the purchase of a defibrillator for Mulroy player Keri Sweeney.
Mulroy’s Kaylagh Sweeney was first to threaten as she weaved in before firing just wide of the Swilly goal.
Keri Sweeney presents Swilly captain Claire McCarron with the Charity Shield
Doherty had two chances, one from a well-worked free-kick, for Swilly, but was similarly off cue.
The lively Sweeney got in again, but had no joy a second time as she attempted to break the deadlock.
Swilly stole a march in the 19th minute when McCarron forced her way through and fired past Lisa Marie Gallagher.
Just two minutes later, Swilly doubled the lead as Doherty struck gold.
Laragh Blaney went close to pulling a goal back before half time but, early in the second half, Blaney did pull one back.
Swilly defender Aibbie McLaughlin somehow denied Blaney a second moments later after the Mulroy player managed to get around ‘keeper Aine Connolly. McLaughlin’s block would prove so crucial.
Diver restored the two-goal cushion but, in the dying light, Aoife Carr made them sweat as she netted a second for Mulroy Academy S.
Swilly Rovers:Aine Connolly, Aibbie McLaughlin, Claire McCarron, Susie Diver, Keeley Boyle, Beth Kerr, Caitlain Doherty, Keeva Allison, Ava Fennell.
Mulroy Academy S:Lisa Marie Gallagher, Clodagh Gibbons, Caoimhe Friel, Leah Roche, Blathnaid McAteer, Kaylagh Sweeney, Kylagh McGinley, Ella Martin, Laragh Blaney. Subs: Emma McGranaghan, Aoife Carr.
Referee: Sean O’Donnell.
