Donegal senior women’s gaelic footballers were edged out by All-Ireland champions Meath in Sunday’s Lidl Division 1 league final at Croke Park as the Royal County added the NFL title to their trophy cabinet on a final scoreline of 2-8 to 1-9.
It was Meath’s first Division 1 title in the county’s history – but there hanging in the closing moments as Maxi Curran’s Donegal, trailing by two points, search frantically for a late goal to snatch victory.
Donegal team captain Niamh McLaughlin (pictured), won the final’s Player of the Match award.
The former Irish underage soccer international scored a vital penalty to bring Donegal back into the game in the opening half, after an assured start by Meath, which saw them lead by 1-6 to 0-2 at one stage.
The Ulster side trailed by just a point at half-time, 1-6 to 1-5 – and they led briefly in early stages of the second half.
But Niamh O’Sullivan’s scored a second goal for Meath to move them clear again and, despite a determined push by Donegal in the closing stages, they eventually held on to win by two points.
Listen to Niamh McLaughlin’s interview with Ocean FM Sport’s Paddy McGill after the game.
Lidl NFL Division 1 final result
Meath 2-8 Donegal 1-9
Division 2 final
Kerry 1-12 Armagh 0-12.
