By Charlie Collins
Donegal 1-13 v 2-10 Monaghan
A very early goal and a very late one helped Monaghan to deny another away win in this Division Two league clash.
Donegal led for long periods in this keenly contested encounter with Suzanne White kicking seven points but Eabha Sherry was also in fine kicking form for the home team and her late goal earned them a draw.
Monaghan got a great start with a Leanne Maguire goal in the first minute but Donegal hit back quickly to this early set back with a Suzanne White point from a free, a goal of their own by Nicole Gordon and another point from Jodie McFadden to lead by 1-02 to 1-00.
The scores kept coming at both ends with Sarah Tierney and Leanne Maguire points brought Monaghan level but Nicole Gordon and Suzanne White had Donegal two ahead against 1-04 to 1-02. The scoring pattern continued, Eabha Sherry and Tierney points had Monaghan level again but Suzanne White’s third point had Donegal one ahead after twenty lively minutes of play, 1-05 to 1-04.
The scoring did slow down for a period during which Monaghan’s Shona Brady received a yellow card and then Donegal pushed further ahead with Suzanne White’s fourth point and one from Tara Hegarty to lead by 1-07 to 1-04 after 28 minutes and that’s how it remained until half-time.
Eabha Sherry’s early second-half free narrowed the gap to two again, Roisin Rodgers replied immediately but Sherry converted another free to leave it 1-8 to 1-06 to Donegal and all to play for in an exciting encounter. Two Sherry points brought Monaghan back on level terms but Suzanne White hit two more to bring her total to six and restored Donegal’s two point lead, 1-10 to 1-08.
Sherry and White again exchanged points as we entered the final minutes and they question was , having led for so long despite conceding last goal in the first minute could Donegal hold on for the win. It looked good when Amy Boyle Carr made it a three point game but then disaster for Donegal as Eabha Sherry goaled for home team to bring them level, 1-12 to 2-09.
Katie Long put Donegal but Sherry pointed again and perhaps fittingly this cracking game ended in a draw 2-10 to 1-13 with those goals at the start and near the end proving the key scores for Monaghan.
Another good away result for Donegal to keep their good start to the season going.
Donegal: Clare Friel , Shannon McLaughlin, Abigal Temple Asokuh, Evelyn McGinley, Caoimhe Keon, Nicole Gordon (1-01), Tara Hegarty (0-01), Roisin Rodgers (0-01), Niamh Boyle, Jodie McFadden (0-01), Niamh McLaughlin, Katie Long (0-01), Suzanne White (0-07), Katy Herron, Amy Boyle Carr. (0-01). Subs: Katie Dowds , Eva Gallagher, Jenny McGettigan
