Galway 2-17

 Donegal 0-6

By DARREN KELLY IN BALLYBOFEY

GALWAY’S senior ladies footballers continued their march through Division 2 of the Ladies National Football League on Sunday as two early goals laid the platform for a fifth victory moving them within touching distance of Croke Park and promotion.

Shauna Hynes and Olivia Divilly got the first half green flags against the wind to secure a six point interval lead. But it was a Roisin Leonard inspired third quarter that ensured the Tribeswomen maintained their 100% record, needing just one more point to reach a league final.

Even though Galway arrived as strong favourites, Donegal were also unbeaten and beat their visitors when they last played here in 2022. But the Tir Conaill squad are going through a serious transition with only six of last year’s championship team taking to the field.

They had only six points beforehand with three draws coupled with a win over Monaghan. But big names like Geraldine and Niamh McLaughlin, Yvonne McMonagle, Katy Herron and Karen Guthrie are not currently in the Donegal set-up.

That being said, this was expected to be closer but Galway started with intent as Siobhán Divilly sent Nicola Ward on one of her trademark runs and the 2024 Player of the Year opened the scoring on two minutes.

Donegal were also asking questions and their usual scorer-in-chief Susanne White dropped a dangerous delivery down on Dearbhla Gower on four minutes. The Corofin keeper spilled the catch but was quick to react to deny the inrunning Cáit Gillespie.

Shauna Hynes had a majestic first half and started stamping her authority in the sixth minute when she took Ailbhe Davoren’s pass to fist over from the right. She’d do more damage by the quarter hour but not before Donegal got back level.

Two frees for Jodie McFadden and White made it 0-2 apiece on nine minutes but Galway were waiting to pounce. Hynes fisted over another point, thanks to Olivia Divilly, before the breakthrough came on 13 minutes.

In Division 2 anyway, this Galway side are masters of the 13-player press and when Clare Friel’s kick out landed in Kate Thompson’s hands, the Salthill-Knocknacarra winger saw Hynes stealing in behind the defence and the Milltown forward rattled the roof of the net.

Donegal slowed the contest down and eventually Eva Gallagher held off four defenders to slot over with her left boot. It was only a brief reprieve.

Pictured: Galway’s Ailbhe Davoren who picked off two points in their LGFA National League win over Donegal in Ballybofey on Sunday.