Lauren the star of County Down

22 June 2016

THERE is no doubt that Ballymartin’s Lauren Cunningham was the star of the show in Galbally, County Tyrone, at the weekend.

With a personal best of 2-10, Lauren helped Down decimate a good Fermanagh outfit as the Mourne girls booked their place in the Ulster final against Tyrone.

Jordan Magee opened the scoring for Down before Fermanagh levelled with a point from Aine McHugh. A further point from McHugh followed by points from Moane and Maguire put the Erinsiders well clear.

The Down full back line of Alison McCall, Ciara Kearns and Laura Morgan were under pressure, but they withstood Fermanagh’s charges and a superb goal from Magee and a point from Cunningham sent Down in trailing by a point at the break.

It was a different Down on display in the second half. Kate McKay won possession from the restart and released Cunningham who quickly brought the sides level after only 20 seconds.

Down tightened up at the back with Laura Sharvin, Megan Doherty and Kilcoo’s Chara Laverty pushing Fermanagh back into their own half.

Cunningham then scored the first of her two goals. McKay and Magee were winning the battle in midfield and urged on by captain Grainne McClean, they looked to finish off Fermanagh.

It was all Down in the latter stages and they ran out convincing winners.

Down: C McCarthy, A McCall, C Kearns, L Morgan, L Sharvin, M Doherty, C Laverty, K McKay, J Magee (1-2) G McClean (capt), A Keown, L Duffy, N McKibbin, L Cunningham (2-10), L Mason. Subs: Orla Boyle for Megan Doherty. Subs not used: A Pyers, E Madine, C Byrne, S McCann, H Murray, A Greene, J Willigan, M Kavanagh, E Maginn, N Catney, B McErlean, A Flynn, N Price.

Fermanagh: R Gleeson, N McQuaid, C McGuinness, E Cambell, A Maguire, M McDonald, D Maguire (0-1), A Moane, A McHugh (0-2), L Maguire, R O Reilly, Aileen Moane (0-3), S Britons. (1-0), J Doonan (1-3), D McManus. Subs: L McFrederick, C Bogue, S Murphy, C Cassidy, S Gunn.

Down Ladies 3-12

Fermanagh 2-9

ULSTER IFC SEMI-FINAL

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