Donegal defeat Monaghan to claim Ulster title

Donegal 4-11

Monaghan 0-15

Geraldine McLaughlin fired Donegal to a second TG4 Ulster senior football title in three seasons on Sunday afternoon, as Micheál Naughton's charges claimed a 4-11 to 0-15 victory over Monaghan.

McLaughlin landed 2-6 as Donegal claimed the silverware back from last year’s winners.

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Donegal went to Monaghan’s Clones backyard and announced themselves as All-Ireland contenders with an impressive win.

Goals proved crucial, with McLaughlin scoring two, while sidekick Yvonne McMonagle and Roisin Friel also raised green flags for the winners.

In what was a repeat of the 2015 decider, beaten Lidl League Division 1 finalists Donegal emerged victorious to once again book an All-Ireland quarter-final spot.

Friel struck for the opening goal in the fourth minute, and when McMonagle flicked home their second 10 minutes later, the warning signs were already flashing for Monaghan.

Lethal forward line

A lethal Donegal forward line meant business while, at the other end, the team were also defensively sound.

Ellen McCarron, who finished with eight points, kept Monaghan in touch, while the Farney girls had goalkeeper Linda Martin to thank for some fine saves.

Monaghan had goal chances of their own, but McLaughlin struck as half-time approached and Donegal were 3-5 to 0-9 clear at the break.

McLaughlin bagged her second goal three minutes after the restart and Monaghan were left with a mountain to climb.

Donegal lost Niamh Hegarty to the sin-bin but held tight to the finish.

Monaghan, who had penalty claims waved away when Laura McEnaney appeared to have been fouled, had Gráinne McNally yellow-carded in the second-half.

Donegal: A McColgan; T Doherty, E Gallagher, N McLaughlin; T McCafferty, C Hegarty, A McDonnell; K Herron, K Guthrie (0-2f); G Houston (0-1), N Hegarty (0-1), E Ward; R Friel (1-0), G McLaughlin (capt) (2-6, 0-4f), Y McMonagle (1-1). Subs: P McGroarty for R Friel (43), D Foley for A McDonnell (61).

Monaghan: L Martin; R McKenna, J Fitzpatrick, S Coyle; A McAnespie, S Courtney, G McNally; C Courtney (0-1f), E McAnespie; L McEnaney (co-capt), E McCarron (0-8, 0-4f), E McKenna (0-2); C McAnespie (co-capt) (0-2), C Mohan (0-1), R Courtney (0-1). Subs: R McKenna for S Coyle (43), L Jones for E McKenna (53).

Referee: C Dourneen (Cavan).