Ladies’ double vision

The Donegal Minor Ladies are bidding to complete a remarkable All Ireland Double when they take on Galway in the national final this Saturday. The side boasts Inishowen talent from around the peninsula with Moville’s Ciara Hegarty, Orlaith Furlong and Niamh McLaughlin, Buncrana’s Mairead Walsh, Carn’s Roisin McDonald and Urris girls Colleen Kearney and Kayla Farren. The current crop of underage ladies footballers are part of a golden generation who have won Ulster Honours at U14 and U16 level and last year reached the All Ireland finals at U16 and minor level. While the U16s bravely fell at the final hurdle, the minors recorded an historic victory over Clare to bring home the county’s first ever national ladies title. Many of last year’s Under 16s have now graduated to minor level and team coach David McLaughlin believes the experience of losing last year’s final will stand to those players on Saturday. “I think one of the strengths in this team is that there are players who have both won and lost an All Ireland Final last season,” said the Greencastle man. “The girls who have won one will be hungry for another while those who lost will want to raise themselves after suffering disappointment last year.” The side booked their place in the decider by overcoming Leinster Champions Laois in a high scoring win in Mullahorn, County Cavan where, just us in their Ulster Final win over Down, they overturned a half time lead to emerge victorious. McLaughlin continued; “We didn’t underestimate Laois as it takes a good side to win the Leinster Championship, it was a tough game but a good one to come through. We played into the breeze in the first half and just like the Ulster Final went in a point down at half time. But it’s a testament to the character and belief in the panel that they were confident on both occasions that they could come back. “In an All Ireland Final you know whoever you play it won’t be easy. Galway have come through a semi-final with Cork who were the All Ireland winners two years ago. Kenny Griffin and I watched them in the Connaught final and I was very impressed. They are strong through the middle and have a good forward line.” “This is probably the last chance a lot of these players will get to win an All Ireland at minor level so it’s a huge game. We enjoyed great support in last year’s final and I would appeal to all the local clubs in Inishowen to come out and support is. Even 50 more fans can make a massive difference for the players. “I’d like to thank our sponsors the Finn Valley Voice and Magees Butchers in Letterkenny and all the supporters who have come to the games this year and hopefully we can win it for them.” The Inishowen girls involved on Saturday’s final are profiled on page 59 of this week’s ‘Inish Times’