Donegal face a tough test at St. Loman’s all weather pitch as they saw off Westmeath in their second Division 1A group game.
Westmeath 2-06 v 2-11 Donegal
Donegal fielded without Geraldine McLaughlin and played against the very strong wind in the opening half and despite that started well with two excellent early goals from Karen Guthrie and they proved vital in giving them a half-time lead.
The home side were playing catch-up after those early setbacks and could only manage points and both Karen Guthrie and Suzanne White added points to keep the Donegal’s score ticking over.
They led by 2-03 to 0-04 approaching but a Aine Gaynor goal followed by an Anna Jones point got Westmeath right back into the game at 1-05 to 2-03.
Karen Guthrie added a point from a free to leave Donegal two ahead at the break 2-04 v 1-05.
Suzanne White extended that lead with three points early in the second-half and the gap was out to five again.
However Westmeath, who lost heavily to Mayo last week, were not going down without a fight and responded with a pointed free and then a cracking goal from an acute angle from the impressive Anna Jones to leave just a point in it, 2-06 to 2-07.
That would be Westmeath’s last score as Donegal steadied the ship as Guthrie converted a free and sub Katy Herron did likewise and then added one from play and in the final minute team captain. Niamh McLaughlin rounded off the hard earned victory with a final point to make the final score 2-11 to 2-06 in Donegal’s favour.
Donegal: Roisin McCafferty , Shauna McFadden, Evelyn McGinley, Niamh Boyle, Niamh Carr, Feena McManamon, Tara Hegarty, Nicole McLaughlin, Roisin Rodgers, Suzanne White (0-04), Niamh McLaughlin (0-01), Shelly Twohig, Blaithnaid McLaughlin , Karen Guthrie (2-04), Catherine Boyle.
Subs: Amy Boyle Carr, Emma McCrory, Katy Herron (0-02), Danielle McGinley, Saskia Boyle.
