Early Galway goal blitz sees off Donegal in inaugural LGFA All-Ireland U20 final

CHAMPIONS: Galway players celebrate with the cup, Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Galway 3-11 Donegal 1-9

Three first-half goals from Galway saw them lift the inaugural All-Ireland U-20 Championship title against Donegal in Tubbercurry.

Player of the Match Alisha O’Malley hit 2-8 for the victors, including two early goals, while Ava Heneghan also found the net to open up a lead that Donegal could never claw back.

While Donegal got the first score through Sara Thomas, O’Malley’s point attempt caught Ellie McGarvey out for a goal inside two minutes.

Saoirse Murray and Aisling O’Neill traded quick points before O’Malley posted another 1-1, pointing first before winning a short kick-out and firing into the roof of the net on ten minutes.

O’Malley and Lucy Ward traded frees, but captain Klara Banek pointed soon after as Galway led by seven.

And they got a third goal on 21 minutes as Aoibhinn Madden found Heneghan, who struck the bottom corner.

Donegal then lost Alanna Boyle to a yellow card, while Ward kicked another free.

Heneghan was taken down for a penalty, and O’Malley stepped up to complete her hat-trick, only to be denied by a good save from McGarvey.

Banek then received a yellow just on the half-time whistle, as Galway led by 3-4 to 0-4.

O’Malley added another free soon after the break, while Sara Thomas had a shot blocked over for a point.

Caitlin Fletcher found the net after Thomas hit the bar, but O’Malley responded with two from play.

Chloe Costello and Fletcher kicked further scores, but three O’Malley frees kept them at bay.

And Katie Slattery hit a late point, while Fletcher kicked a two-pointer just before full-time as Galway held out for the win.

Scorers for Galway: A O’Malley 2-8 (5f), A Heneghan 1-0, S Murray, K Banek, K Slattery 0-1 each.

Scorers for Donegal: C Fletcher 1-4, L Ward 0-2 (2f), S Thomas, A O’Neill and C Costello 0-1 each.

GALWAY: E Ryan; K Reynolds, L Seoighe, S Coleman; R Quinn, C McCabe, A Madden; K Slattery, S Murray; A Murray, S Banks, K Banek (capt.); I Murray, A O'Malley, A Heneghan.

Subs: R Noone for Heneghan (41), S Melia for Banks (48), Z Ratjher for S Murray (53). A Nash for I Murray (57), G Farragher for Reynolds (60).

DONEGAL: E McGarvey; N Devlin, R Doherty, S Ryan; M Diver, T Rose Mahon (capt.), R McLaughlin; L Ward, K McMullin; M Ní Ghallchóir, M Brady, A Boyle; C Fletcher, A O'Neill, S Thomas.

Subs: L McKeever for Diver (51), M McAteer, S Doherty and N Walsh for Brady, Boyle and Ryan (59).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).