Down U16 Ladies Drop a Game in Ulster Championship Against Antrim
Ulster Ladies U16 Championship 2023
Tier 2 Round 2
Final score Down 1 – 08 Antrim 4 – 10.
Down hosted Antrim in the second round in tier two in the splendid surroundings of Teconnaught G.F.C writes Paddy McCrickard.
After initial briefings our referee for the day Oliver McKenna got the game underway.
Straight from throw in Antrim were on the front foot, with a brand of direct, decisive football, which Down were having difficulty getting to grips with. Within five minutes Antrim raised their first green flag.
The Down girls rallied, and with some resolute defending from our full back line and centre half, the Mourne girls tried valiantly to curb the Antrim attack.
Down were getting the ball up the field, but it just wasn’t sticking, with the defence and midfield trying to stem attacks that seemed to come in waves.
Two of these attacks were brilliantly kept out by our goalkeeper Erin Gough, with point blank saves, it was a difficult first half which ended Down 0 – 01 Antrim 2 – 06.
Down management made several changes at half time, and this definitely swung things in favour of the home side.
Antrim were put on the back foot, with some incisive running and scoring from the rejigged forward division.
Just as Down were beginning to claw their way back into the game, with a goal of their own, and a few points tagged on, Antrim again raised the green flag.
The Down girls to their credit kept trying and pushing to the end, unfortunately they left themselves too much to do after the first half, which was extremely uncharacteristic of this team.
Final score Down 1 – 08 Antrim 4 – 10
On behalf of the team and management thanks to the County Board for the food provided for the girls, and to Teconnaught for the use of their magnificent facilities.
Next up for Down is an away game against Derry on 29th April.
Down Team: E Gough, P Richards, E Morgan, E Austin, Z Kelly , M Murdock, A Downey, E Napier, N McConville, N Madine, N McGinley, C Kearney, E Sergeant (0-3 (2F)), C Donnelly, I McCarron (0-1), C Lavery, A McKay, A Wolfe, C McGrath, C Byrne Convery, E O’Kane, E McCrickard, E Hamill, G Flanagan, G McMullan, G Kelly, L Magee (1-4 (3F), MK McMahon, M McEvoy & M McEvoy.
