Donegal 2-10
Waterford 1-8
Donegal held off the challenge of Waterford in a thoroughly enjoyable All-Ireland Group 2 opener in Lifford on Saturday afternoon.
The home side’s ability to convert scores at important stages of the game proved decisive although Waterford will be disappointed to have lost this game.
They enjoyed plenty of possession, especially in the second half, but were guilty of some poor wides when they were still very much in touch.
Waterford face Meath at home next weekend and this defeat means they must beat the All-Ireland champions if they are to hold out any hope of qualifying from their group.
They started this game well, scoring an early goal through Lauren McGregor. But within 90 seconds, Donegal had scored a goal at the other end when Niamh Hegarty scored from a penalty.
At half-time, Donegal led 1-6 to 1-2, but again Waterford started the new half well and took the game to their opponents.
But they were unable to make their dominance of the ball count on the scoreboard and when Donegal scored a second goal through Amy Boyle Carr six minutes in, Waterford’s task was all the more difficult.
That goal put Donegal 2-7 to 1-3 ahead and in control. Credit to Waterford, they kept plugging away and managed points through McGregor, Kate McGrath and Kellyann Hogan.
But Donegal had done more than enough to hold on for victory.
Donegal scorers: Niamh Hegarty 1-3, Suzanne White 0-3, Amy Boyle Carr 1-1, Ciara McGarvey 0-2, Katie Dowds 0-1
Waterford scorers: Lauren McGregor 1-4, Kellyann Hogan 0-2, Aine O’Neill 0-1. Kate McGrath 0-1.
Donegal: Claire Friel; Niamh Carr, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Nicole McLaughlin; Amy Boyle Carr, Laoise Ryan, Tara Hegarty; Emer Gallagher, Niamh McLaughlin; Roisin Rodgers, Katie Long, Katie Dowds; Niamh Hegarty, Katy Herron, Suzanne White.
Subs: Shannon McGroddy for Ryan; Ciara McGarvey for White; Geraldine McLaughlin for Niamh McLaughlin; Saskia Boyle for Long; Sophie McFeely for Dowds.
Waterford: Evelyn O’Brien; Cora Murray, Karen McGrath, Aoife Murray; Aoibhe Waring, Kate McGrath, Emma Murray; Brid McMaugh, Aine O’Neill; Kellyann Hogan, Annie Fitzgerald, Eve Power; Laura Mulcahy, Catherine Hynes, Lauren McGregor.
Subs: Katie Murray for Hynes; Abby Murphy for Waring.
Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)
