Down Ladies pipped at post

1 February 2017

MEATH Ladies had a sting in their tail when they beat Down in the opening NFL fixture at Ballykinlar on Sunday.

Meath’s Emma White opened the scoring before Down’s Colleen Lennon played some great football and scored a point from play and two points from frees in the first 20 minutes.

It took Down a while to get going, but some brilliant defence and turnover from Sinead Fitzsimons, Chara Laverty and Laura Morgan helped the home team settle.

Aisling O’Reilly and Niamh O’Sullivan were best for Meath in the first half as they scored five consecutive points between them in a purple patch midway through the first half.

Downpatrick’s Adair Trainor was impressing in and around the middle of the field and ‘keeper Christine McCarthy made several superb saves to keep Down in the hunt.

Kyla Trainor scored another Down point, set-up by fellow RGU team-mate Adair Trainor and two points from Lauren Cunningham and one from Adair Trainor ensured Down went in at the break trailing 0-8 to 0-7.

Down started started the second half full of purpose and worked the ball well out of defence with Laoise Duffy registering the first score of the half.

Aoife Keown, Lauren Cunningham and Clara Mulvenna tagged on scores, but Meath’s Niamh O’Sullivan created several points and a goal from Blathnaid Keogh as the visitors moved out of sight.

Although the result did not reflect the play, it’s important to consider that Meath were relegated from Division 2, and there was some encouraging play from a relatively new young Down squad.

Down Ladies will now face Leitrim in Ballykinlar on Sunday in the second round of fixtures.

Thanks to Ballykinlar GAC for providing their club facilities and all their members that helped with refreshments and lunch.

Big shout to James Magennis for bringing in last-minute supplies and to Paula Gibney, and Mary O’Shaughnessy, for stepping in to do the linesmen.

Thanks also to the host club’s Rosie Connor, who sang Amhrán na bhFiann

A minute’s silence was held before the game for former Down Ladies player Ciara McGreevy who passed away last week. Rest in peace, Ciara.

Down Ladies 0-11

Meath Ladies 1-16

LIDL NFL DIVISION 3

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