ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE FINAL Donegal 2-12 Waterford 0-16:YVONNE McMONIGLE produced one of the individual performances of the season as Donegal held off valiant underdogs Waterford to claim the TG4 All-Ireland women's intermediate championship.
The Division Two champions were expected to account for the Division Three runners-up but they were made to fight right up to the final siren, as Waterford finished on the attack in search of a goal that would have snatched the honours. McMonigle finished with 2-5 from play and it was the full forward’s contribution that ensured Donegal would be making a quick return to the senior ranks having been relegated last season.
Waterford flew out of the traps with Michelle and Sinead Ryan amongst the points and they moved into a three-point lead.
With Gráinne Enright sin-binned, McMonigle got on the scoresheet with a spectacular point, while Amy Jordan was forced into a brilliant save by Eilish Ward. Noreen Hegarty was inches away with a goal effort as well before also hitting the post and having another piledriver saved by Jordan.
McMonigle did find the net eventually in the 22nd minute with a left-footed drive and though Geraldine McLaughlin had a goal disallowed, Donegal still led at half-time by 1-7 to 0-8.
Within two minutes of the resumption, McLaughlin fired to the roof of the Waterford net to put Donegal five points clear.
Dual star Gráinne Kenneally, who will play in the replay of the junior camogie All-Ireland next week, was switched back on McMonigle to excellent effect thereafter.
Two members of Ireland’s World Cup rugby squad were introduced within seconds of each other, Niamh Briggs for Waterford and Nora Stapleton for Donegal, and it was Waterford who upped their display, points from Michelle Ryan, Elaine Power and Linda Wall bringing them level.
McMonigle replied with two breathtaking points and McLaughlin also hit the target as Donegal held out for victory.
DONEGAL: R McClafferty; D Toner, D Foley, K Wilson; C Hegarty, M Herron, T McCafferty; A McDonnell (0-1), K Guthrie; G Houston (0-1), N Hegarty; K Feeney; E Ward, Y McMonigle (2-5), G McLaughlin 0-5 (3f). Subs: N Stapleton for Foley (41 mins), K Keeney for Houston (49), R Freel for Feeney (51).
WATERFORD: A Jordan; N Dunphy, L Ryan, L Hogan; G Enright (0-1), M Foley, M Wall; M McGrath (0-1), E Power (0-1); L Wall (0-2), M Ryan (0-8 all frees), G Kenneally; A Wall (0-1), S Ryan (0-2), M Delahunty. Subs: N Briggs for Delahunty (40 mins), A Dunphy for M Wall (45 mins).
Referee: D McEnery(Westmeath).
