Down Ladies book spot in semi-finals

28 August 2013

DOWN Ladies travelled to Clones on Saturday looking to secure an All-Ireland semi-final place for themselves in 2013 and that’s exactly what they did.

It was Down who set their stall out early with a first minute goal when Clara Fitzpatrick quickly gathered up a breaking ball and spotted Tash Ferris on a blistering run.

Ferris took a terrific goal without breaking a stride and Down set the pace for the rest of the match.

Sligo were quick to reply with a point from play at the other side by Roisin Colleeney and another by half forward Karen Maloney. But again Tash Ferris stepped up to the mark and took a fine point from play, keeping Down’s nose just in front.

This was very much the pattern for

the next 15 minutes of play with Down

and Sligo trading points, with Sligo’s Louise Brett, Siobhan O’Sullivan and

half back Aine Gormally all getting on the score sheet, with Lisa Morgan pointing for Down.

Sligo then moved in front against the run of play with Karen Moloney again getting on the scoresheet with a thunderous shot, low and hard under Down’s Christine McCarthy into the back of the net.

Sinead McNamee took her scores when needed and Down are never a team to panic when they go behind and a pointed free by Tash Ferris was quickly followed by some skilful play by Down captain Sinead Fegan.

She spotted Megan Doherty on a run, who quickly laid it off to Ferris in space and she took a fine point from play leaving just a point between the teams.

Down were awarded a penalty just before the break when Ferris was brought down while heading for goal. Down stalwart Lisa Morgan coolly stepped up to the spot and made no mistake dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

Sligo responded with a point from play as they went in at the break trailing 2-4 to 0-6.

Down opened the scoring in the second half with a fine pointed score from young Lauren Cunningham from Ballymartin.

This was followed by a pointed free by Tash Ferris and another attempt at goal by Ferris was knocked out for a 50. Sinead McNamee tagged on a point before Clara Fitzpatrick buried the ball in the back of the Sligo net. Down looked to be in full control of the game at this stage and a further point from play by Trainor put Down in front by seven.

Ladies’ football is an unpredictable sport and after Trainor’s point, Sligo came back with two unanswered points by Karen Moloney and a goal by Roisin Colleeney after the ball literally rolled slowly over the line following a foray in the box.

Sligo now trailed by just one point and the Down support were scratching their heads wondering what had just happened. But the girls on the field have learnt some hard lessons in their campaigns this year and they weren’t about to let Sligo get back in the game that easy.

Down veterans and two girls on opposing sides the previous Saturday in the Down Senior Championship final, RGU/Castlewellan’s Kyla Trainor and Bryansford’s Natasha Ferris led Down’s resurgence in this quarter.

Ferris found Trainor on a run and quickly laid the ball off to her and Kyla buried it in the back of the net, putting Down back in front by four.

After Down’s ‘keeper Christine McCarthy suffered a knee injury saving a certain goal chance, she made way for Katie Farrell and Tash Ferris who had been outstanding was replaced by Grainne Kelly. Cunningham also had a good game and was replaced by Amy Nicholson.

Sligo made a late surge and Roisin Colleeney again found the net and Down found themselves under pressure yet again. This was quickly followed by another point putting just one between the sides.

But up steps Trainor again and when a shot on goal by Laura Sharvin was saved, Kyla was there to gather the ball up and bury it deep into the Sligo net. Another point by Morgan and Down were into the All-Ireland semi-final against Cavan on Saturday.

Down: Katie Farrell, Christine McCarthy, Cora McKibbin, Laura Sharvin, Orla Boyle, Eimear Kane, Niamh McGowan, Sinead Fegan, Clara Fitzpatrick, Grainne Kelly, Meghan Doherty, Grainne McClean, Orla Fegan, Lauren Cunningham, Kyla Trainor, Natasha Ferris, Katie Farrell, Hannah Murray, Hazel Jordan, Sinead Brannigan, Emer McKay, Ciara McArdle, Clare Fitzpatrick, Nicole Mulholland, Amy Nicholson, Sinead McNamee, Ciara O’Higgins, Colleen McShane, Sinead Ennis, Lisa Morgan.

Down 5-10

Sligo 4-8

ALL-IRELAND IFC QUARTER-FINAL

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder