Down Ladies won their first ever Ulster title on Sunday, overcoming a very strong Fermanagh side on Down 0-15 Fermanagh 1-06 in a exciting Ulster Gaelic Football Final in Aughnamullen, Co.Monaghan writes Barry McConville.
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Kyla Trainor, Joint Captain, Lisa Morgan, Vice Captain, and Niamh McGowan, Joint Captain delighted to bring the silver to County Down.[/caption]
Fermanagh opened the scoring with a point from play from Sharon Little and it wasn’t until the 9th minute that Down got on the scoreboard with a pointed free from Grainne McClean. It was Little again soon after who put Fermanagh in front with a goal, followed by two more points.
Down’s Lisa Morgan got a fine score from play followed by another point from Grainne McClean, with Sinead McNamee putting over two well placed points also to keep Down within a score of Fermanagh. However, credit must also go to Katie Farrell in goals for Down who made a number of crucial saves in the first half and denied Fermanagh at least two sure goal chances.
Lisa Morgan made way for Kyla Trainor late in the first half and Jess Foy came on for Grainne McClean. Down went in at the half all square with Fermanagh having pulled back the deficit of the goal Down 0-6 Fermanagh 1-03
The second half opened again with a Fermanagh score from Joanne Doonan but it was soon cancelled out by a superb score from a tight angle by Aileen Pyres of Down. Pyers took another from play shortly after and Down began to nose in front.
It was just after this score that a mêlée in the square resulted in Jess Foy fisting the ball over the bar for a point but unfortunately collided with the keeper at the same time and landed badly on the ground. Medics were soon on the scene and the game was delayed for over 30 minutes while Jess received treatment and was taken to hospital, the latest reports on her condition at writing were that she was doing fine and would make a full recovery.
Lauren Cunningham came on for the injured Jess Foy and made an immediate impact on the game getting on the score sheet with a point from play followed by another from Pyres. Fermanagh’s Caroline Little who was always a constant threat to Down, took a fine point from play, but Down were dominant at this stage having the majority of possession .
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The Down Ladies celebrate after their win over Fermanagh.[/caption]
Down made a couple of changes in the second half with Jordan Magee making way for Grainne Kelly and Orla Fegan came on for Mairead Grant. Down were winning the majority of kick outs with some top class fielding from Player of the Match Meghan Doherty who combined well with Karen McMullan and Eimear Kane whose pace Fermanagh were finding it hard to compete with.
A late goal by Down which was given by the umpires but overruled by the referee and disallowed, didn’t affect the eventual outcome of the game as Down had enough left in the tank regardless to go out comfortable winners with six point margin.
Down will now enter the All-Ireland series at the quarter final stages and they will be hoping to go one better than last year when they were defeated in the Semi-Finals by Cavan in Breffini Park. The Mourne girls have worked very hard for this Ulster title, but their work isn’t done yet, and although they’ll enjoy the win, they’ll be back training and hoping to go even further this year, and who would bet against them? Down Squad: Sinead Brannigan Ballymartin, Orla Boyle Castlewellan, Eliza Downey Annaclone, Hannah Murray Bredagh, Jordan Magee Mayobridge, Niamh McGowan Saval, Sinead Fegan Saval, Eiméar Kane Saval, Meghan Doherty Carryduff, Karen McMullan Castlewella, Kyla Trainor Castlewellan, Grainne Kelly Annaclone, Aileen Pyres Annaclone, Lisa Morgan Castlewellan, Mairead Grant Annaclone, Katie Farrell Rostrevor, Clara Fitzpatrick Bryansford, Jess Foy Carryduff, Eirin Robinson Carryduff, Sinead McNamee Mayobridge, Grainne Hughes Bredagh, Laura McNamee Mayobridge, Cora McKibbin Bryansford, Emily Martin Burren, Grainne McClean Bryansford, Orla Fegan Saval, Cara Cunningham Castlewellan, Lauren Cunningham Ballymartin, Emma McPolin Rostrevor, Claire O’Neill Burren, Paula Gribben Clonduff, Hannah Magorrian Carryduff, Nicole Mulholland Teconnaught, Laura Taylor Rostrevor, Clara Mulvenna Rostrevor,
Manager: Mark Copeland Coaches: Ryan McShane, Diane O’Hora, Locky Leneghan Selector: Kevin Leneghan
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