The opening round of the Lidl Ladies National Football League paired Galway and Donegal at Tuam Stadium.
Galway 0-11 Donegal 0-6
By Charlie Collins
Maxi Curran’s team was missing a number of experienced players and that gave the manager the opportunity to include a number of younger players in the starting lineup.
Saskia Boyle , Laoise Ryan , Cait Gillespie, and Ciara McGarvey were all included in the forward line.
Susanne White replaced Shannon McGroddy in the named team at full forward and she scored all three Donegal first -half points from frees as they trailed by two points at the break, 0-05 to 0-03.
Donegal had led by a point, 0-03 to 0-02 with those White scores but Galway responded well with the last three points of the half to lead by two.
Galway’s scorers were Aoife O Rourke (2), Roisin Leonard, Ailbhe Davoren and Kate Slevin.
Donegal’s Saskia Boyle and Galway’s Roisin Leonard exchanged early second-half points and then Suzanne White’s fourth score of the game left just a point between them, 0-06 to 0-05.
White’s fifth point levelled it at 0-06 apiece, in the 46th minute , but three quick points from Kate Slevin , one from a penalty after sub Meg Glynn had been fouled and Slevin put it over the bar left the home team three points ahead, 0-09 to 0-06 and in control.
Slevin made it four in a row for both herself and Galway to leave four ahead as Donegal’s challenge faded against the tough elements and conditions.
Kate Slevin made it five in a row for Galway with her sixth point to round off the scoring and a five point win for the home team.
Donegal: Aoife McColgan; Niamh Carr, Evelyn McGinley , Emer Gallagher, Amy Boyle Carr , Sarah Doherty, Tara Hegarty, Shelly Twohig , Roisin Rodgers, Saskia Boyle (0-1) , Katie Long , Laoise Ryan, Cait Gillespie, Susanne White (0-5), Ciara McGarvey.
Subs: Jodie McFadden, Shauna Higgins, Katie Dowds, Ava Walsh.
