Down Ladies spring huge surprise on Ulster queens

12 March 2014

REIGNING Ulster champions Fermanagh, who squarely defeated Down last year in the Ulster final, came to Down looking a much-needed win in the NFL to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

However, Down comprehensively defeated the Erne visitors and secured the rights to Division football in 2015, while Fermanagh were unfortunately left looking for a lifeline.

Down opened the scoring with a score from play from Lisa Morgan after a free from Aileen Pyers ped short, and Morgan was there to gather it up and put it over the bar.

Pyers was soon to put another free over and Down began to put their mark on the game.

Megan Doherty made a strong solo and found Kyla Trainor who flicked the ball into the path of Jordan Magee cutting through the Fermanagh defence and she buried the ball in the back of the net.

This was soon followed by a great point from a difficult angle by Orla Fegan and Down led by 1-3 while Fermanagh had yet to score.

It was a full 10 minutes before Fermanagh’s Caroline Little opened the scoring from a free and this was soon followed by another from Maura McDonald.

Down were still attack-focused and it wasn’t long before Grainne Kelly got on the scoresheet when Trainor found her in space and Kelly coolly hit the back of the net.

The sides swapped points at this stage with Joanne Doonan for the Erne girls taking a good score from play which was immediately followed by one from Trainor at the other side. Sinead Fegan, not to be out done by the sister Orla, also got on the scoresheet.

Down were clearly in control with Lisa Morgan making a lot of play and when she found Clara Fitzpatrick open, Fitzpatrick turned her marker and made a lovely lob into the top corner of the net and Down looked to be coasting at this stage.

A small mistake allowed Fermanagh’s Caroline Little make a run on goal. Her shot hit the upright and rebounded out to luckily to Lynne McFedderick eagerly awaiting it.

She made no mistake to hit it low and hard under Brannigan and give Fermanagh a lifeline.

Down had the majority of possession, but Fermanagh soon found the back of the net again with a high lob over Brannigan.

It looked like it was going over for a point only to drop short at the last second for a goal.

Down replied with a point from a free at the end of the first half and the home side went in at the break 3-5 to 2-3.

Fermanagh came out strong in the second half and got an early goal from Marita McDonald.

However, Down kept their heads. Pyers made a terrific solo run and passed for Gleeson to hit the back of the net, and Down let Fermanagh know who was in control.

A point from Little was soon cancelled out by a free from Pyers and the game settled down a little with Down dictating the tempo. Pyers scored another free which was quickly followed by another well taken goal by the same player.

Down dominated the play and Trainor took a good point from play which was soon followed by a goal from the Downpatrick ace after a lay off from Morgan, while she got yet another after a nice lay off from Ann-Marie Murray.

Down looked in control and Grainne McClean took a good score on her left from a difficult angle.

It was all Down at this stage and Clara Mulvenna made a great run and turned two Fermanagh backs to place the ball square in the back of the net.

There was no coming back for Fermanagh and Mulvenna’s goal was the last score of the match. Down were deserved winners and will now be looking forward to an away trip to Kildare on March 27.

Down Ladies 7-13

Fermanagh 3-7

NFL DIVISION 2

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