Details

Date Time Competition Season
11 June 2022 5:00 pm All Ireland Senior Championship 2022

Match Report

SFC: McLaughlin bags 7 as Donegal edge Waterford

Geraldine McLaughlin scored 0-7 to help Donegal earn a hard fought win over Waterford in the opening round of the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship at a blustery Birr.

BY TOMÁS MCCARTHY

Maxi Curran’s side led by six points early in the second half but had to hold off a late rally from a determined Déise outfit. A goal from substitute Aisling Mullaney left just one point between them entering the closing stages, before Yvonne Bonner sealed victory for Donegal.

On an afternoon of sunshine and showers, Hannah Power and Geraldine McLaughlin (free) traded early points. Lauren McGregor edged Waterford back in front as the Waterford blanket defence frustrated their opponents. Donegal full back Evelyn McGinley was sin-binned on 14 minutes for a trip on Annie Fitzgerald.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Katy Herron levelled matters at 0-2 to 0-2. Geraldine McLaughlin’s second free put Donegal ahead for the first time on 22 minutes. The Ulster runners-up had a goal chance off Waterford’s short kickout but Megan Dunford cut out the danger.

Curran’s side led 0-3 to 0-2 after a cagey opening half. Waterford absorbed three minutes of Donegal pressure before Laura Mulcahy made a big catch on the edge of the square.

Geraldine McLaughlin tapped over another free three minutes into the second half. Waterford were then awarded a penalty as Katie Murray was pulled back after her sister Emma sent her through on goal. Kellyann Hogan fired the spot kick right and wide, however.

At the other end, Katie O’Hanlon saved a low shot from Geraldine McLaughlin. The TG4 All-Star attacker was fouled earlier in the move and converted her fourth free of the evening.

She added two more before substitute Susanne White scored from play to make it 0-8 to 0-2. Chloe Fennell then kicked Waterford’s first point in 33 minutes. Pat Sullivan made a double substitution and it worked straight away as Mullaney slipped the ball to the bottom corner.

Geraldine McLaughlin nearly caught out O’Hanlon with a lob but her shot landed over the bar instead of under. Points from Kate McGrath and Bríd McMaugh left just one between them with nine minutes left.

Nevertheless, Bonner nailed a point from 40 metres with six minutes left to get Donegal across the line after a close encounter.

Donegal

1Roisin McCafferty Goalkeeper
2Niamh Carr 19 Defender
3Evelyn McGinley Defender 20'
4Tanya Kennedy Defender
5Shelly Twohig Defender
6Nicole McLaughlin Defender
7Amy Boyle Carr 20 Defender
8Katy Herron Midfielder 24'
9Niamh McLaughlin Midfielder
10Yvonne Bonner Forward 56'
11Niamh Hegarty Forward
12Susanne White Forward 41'
13Blathnaid McLaughlin Forward
14Karen Guthrie Forward
15Geraldine McLaughlin Forward 3', 29', 33', 36', 40', 40', 48'
16Aoife McColgan Goalkeeper
17Shauna McFadden Defender
18Jodie McFadden
19Deirdre Foley 2
20Tara Hegarty 7 Defender
21Katie Long Forward
22Niamh Boyle Defender
23Roisin Rodgers Defender
24Codie Walsh
25Emma McCrory
26Shauna Higgins
27Saskia Boyle Forward
29Danielle McGinley
30Laoise Ryan Forward

Waterford

1Eimear Gallagher Goalkeeper
2Kate McGrath Defender 48'
3Megan Dunord Defender
4Hannah Power Defender 1'
5Mairéad Wall 21 Defender
6Laura Mulcahy Defender
7Karen McGrath Defender
8Emma Murray Midfielder
9Aine O’Neill Midfielder
10Lauren McGregor 17 Forward 14'
11Kellyann Hogan Forward
12Annie Fitzgerald 18 Forward
13Katie Murray Forward
14Chloe Fennell 19 Forward 42'
15Aoife Murray Forward
16Katie Geoghegan
17Aisling Mullaney 10 Defender 46'
18Aileen Wall 12
19Rebecca Casey 14 Defender
20Laura Cusack Defender
21Bríd McMaugh 5 Forward 53'
22Caoimhe McGrath Defender
23Aoibhe Waring Midfielder
24Eve Power Defender
25Cora Murray Defender
26Sheena McGuckian Forward
27Greta Nugent
28Caragh McCarthy Forward

Ground

St. Brendan's Park, Birr
Birr Urban ED, The Municipal District of Birr, County Offaly, Leinster, Ireland

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