Dublin defeated Donegal ladies thanks to a strong second-half performance at Parnell Park today.

Dublin 2-17 Donegal 3-7

Micheál Naughton’s Donegal were level at the break, 2-2 to 0-8, after a brace of Geraldine McLaughlin goals, but the Dubs proved too strong in the second half and won by seven points.

McLaughlin’s first goal came in the 19th minute when the Termon woman drilled home after Niamh Hegarty’s shot fell short.

Three minutes later, McLaughlin slotted home a penalty and it leveled the tie with neither side scoring again until the break.

Carla Rowe struck a goal for Dublin early in the second half and when Lyndsey Davey added another during a purple patch for the Dubs, it was going to prove too steep a climb for Donegal.

Hegarty did get in for a third Donegal goal, but the task proved too arduous and Dublin done enough.

Donegal: Laura Gallagher; Treasa Doherty, Ciara Hegarty, Kate Keaney; Therese McClafferty, Nicole McLaughlin, Emer Gallagher; Katy Herron, Karen Gutherie (0-1); Grainne Houston, Niamh Hegarty (1-2), Eilish Ward (0-1); Roisin Friel, Geraldine McLaughlin (2-2, 1-0pen, 2f), Paula McGroary (0-1). Subs: Kaneshia McKinney, Deirdre Foley, Niamh Carr, Caroline Gallagher.