Trainor leads the way as Down open in style

Trainor leads the way as Down open in style

5 February 2014

DOWN Ladies got off to the best possible start in their debut in the Tesco HomeGrown NFL Division 2 tie with Meath at the Abbey CBS, Newry, on Saturday.

Down came away with the points after a hard fought game which saw the Mourne girls go in leading at the break by four, but they went behind early in the second half before running out eventual winners in a nailbiting finish.

Although the scoring wasn’t opened until eighth minute, the game was played at a high tempo from the outset. When Lauren Cunningham was deemed to have been fouled just outside the 13, Down veteran Aileen Pyres stepped up to confidently put the ball over the bar and Down’s first competitive score of the 2014 season was marked down.

Meath were soon to get on the scoresheet too with a well taken goal from Emma Troy. Down took it all in their stride and kept their heads, played football, and were rewarded with a goal of their own from Kyla Trainor a few minutes later putting Down back in front.

There was some nice combination play between Jordan Magee and Clara Fitzpatrick in midfield, ensuring the Down forward line were provided with plenty of quality ball.

The resourceful Eimear Kane spotted Lisa Morgan in space, laid the ball off and Morgan duly put it over the bar from a very tight angle. Pyres was to get on the scoresheet twice more in the first half and along with a Lisa Morgan point, a Trainor goal and a point, Down went in at the break four points up.

The second half wasn’t as clear cut as the first. Down came out and looked to have lost their shape somewhat and Meath saw an opportunity to get back in this game and they weren’t found wanting.

Meath’s Katie O’Brien was a thorn in Down’s side throughout the first half and was instrumental in taking the majority of the scores and scoring chances throughout the game and opened the scoring with a point from play in the opening of the second half.

When O’Brien stepped up to take a free, which was no doubt destined to go over the bar, it just ped short at the last second and dropped behind Down ‘keeper Sinead Brannigan, catching not only Brannigan by surprise, but O’Brien too.

It was the shot in the arm Meath needed and they went in front a short time later with another pointed free, after Eliza Downey was sin binned for an infringement.

Meath were breaking with the ball more regularly now and putting the Down backs under pressure, but with a back line made up of seasoned campaigners Eliza Downey, Sinead Fegan and Cora McKibben, Meath faced a formidable task and the girls played some lovely clean football, with Orla Fegan, Niamh Magowan and Orla Boyle, who replaced Eimear Kane at the break, working extremely hard throughout the second half breaking down numerous Meath attacks.

Down made a number of changes in the second half, with Meghan Doherty replacing Grainne McClean and Jess Foy coming on for Sinead McNamee who had shortly before taken a great score from play before combining with Pyres, who herself, took a fine point from play.

Drama ensued in the closing minutes of the game. With Down leading by two, Meath needed a goal and when a Meath forward went down near the square with very little contact involved, the referee was quick to consult with her umpires and signal for a free in, much to the dismay of the Meath management, who felt a penalty should have been awarded.

Meath took the pointed score and Brannigan took the goal kick, crucially finding Meghan Doherty in space and Down were quick to go on the attack again, keeping possession all the time in the closing minutes and eventually going out deserved winners of their opening game.

Down’s next game is an away trip to Galway.

Down: Sinead Brannigan, Cora McKibben, Eliza Downey, Sinead Fegan, Orla Fegan, Niamh Magowan, Eimear Kane, Clara Fitzpatrick (0-1) Jordan Magee, Grainne McClean, Kyla Trainor (1-2), Sinead McNamee (0-1), Lauren Cunningham (0-1), Lisa Morgan (0-3), Aileen Pyres (0-4). Subs: Orla Boyle, Meghan Docherty, Jess Foy, Tash Ferris, Clara Mulvenna, Hannah Murray, Aisling Burns, Cara Cunningham, Grainne Hughes, Emily Martin, Clare O’Neill.

Meath: Irene Munnelly, Mary Coyne, Maire O’Shaughnessy, Sarah Powderly, Elaine Plunkett, Michelle Peel, Emma Troy, Shauna Bennett, Alise Smith, Stephanie Byrne, Katie O’Brien, Alice Davis, Geraldine Doherty, Brigetta Lynch, Laura Dempsey. Subs: Roisin Williams, Meabh Downey, Shauna Ennis, Aine Bennett.

Down Ladies 1-12

Meath Ladies 2-8

LADIES’ NFL DIVISION 2