Down Ladies show their metal against Sligo
Lidl National Football League 2023,
Division 3 Round 2,
29th January 2023, Pairc Esler,
Final Score: Down Ladies 2-08 0-9 Sligo
Down Senior Ladies hosted their first home fixture in a windy Pairc Esler for Round 2 of Lidl National League match against Sligo on Sunday.
After a heavy defeat against Kildare last weekend, the Mourne ladies needed a win.
The first 30 seconds set the scene for the match with Down winning the throw in and Aoife Keown scoring a quick goal, getting the Mournes Ladies off to a good start.
The Sligo attack were denied scores with Down defending in numbers and Natalie McKibben playing superbly as a sweeper.
Kate McKay picked up an injury which led to her being substituted by Amy McGivern in the 4th minute.
Down were denied a second goal chance by a superb save from the Sligo goalkeeper, however this did not deter the Mourne Ladies who kept the pressure on and resulted in a point from Down’s Vivienne McCormack.
Sligo only registered their first score in the 10th minute from a free pointed by Aife Haran.
The determination of Down was evident with intense work rate on the pitch and seen them register the next 3 points from play (Jess Foy, Natasha Ferris & Niamh King).
There was some superb goalkeeping by Down’s McGivern denying Sligo several goal chances. Sligo only scored their second point from play in the 24th minute, followed by a further two points from frees.
A Down attack answered with a Foy & Ferris point from frees to leave Down up by 5 points at half-time
(Down 1-06 Sligo 0-04).
The intensity of the game continued in the second half, with Sligo winning the throw in and registering the first three scores of the second half.
Down only secured their first score of the second half with a Foy point.
A battle between both sides ensued which ended with a great forward pass caught by Sarah Dougherty.
This resulted in further point for Down and her first score of the day.
Sligo substitute Rachel O’Brien who made her presence known scoring a further point for her side.
Then Down sub Aimee O’Higgins made an immediate impact with a beautiful forward pass to Dougherty, who expertly finished it scoring another goal for Down.
Despite the Mourne Ladies being down to 13 players for the last minutes of the game, a good team performance sets them up for their next round match away to Wexford in a week’s time.
Final Score Down 2-08 Sligo 0-9
Down Team: K McKay, A Greene, C Byrne (C), O Boyle, N McKibbin, P Smyth, E McArdle, A Keown (1-0), E Martin, N Scullion, J Foy (0-3), V McCormack (0-1), S Dougherty (1-1), N Ferris (0-2), N King (0-1), A McGivern, A Cull, A Magee, B Rogan, A Laverty, E Sands, A McAlea, A O’Higgins, K Howlett, N Loudon, E Fitzpatrick, N McClory, O Blaney, M Doherty, C Mulvenna.
***
Photos 1-6 are taken by Maurice McKey
Photo 1 – Down Senior Ladies Team 2023
Photo 2 – Down Senior Vice Captain Ciara Byrne, Referee Philip Conway & Sligo Captain Sinead Regan
Photo 3 – Down Senior Vivienne McCormack
Photo 4 – Down Senior Sarah Dougherty
Photo 5 – Down Senior & Minor Niamh King
Photo 6 – Down Senior Natalie McKibbin
