Down Manager Bernie McNally was left with much to ponder after Down's victory over rivals Armagh in this Ulster Senior Championship semi-final at sunny Mullabrack on Sunday.

While by and large Down were the better team over the hour McNally will be concerned that at times Down were caught flat-footed and only for some excellent goalkeeping from Teresa Magowan the Mourne girls could have found themselves in trouble. McNally though will no doubt be pleased with the performances of some of the Down's fringe players, particularly Brenda Gallagher who had an outstanding game at right-half forward.

Down started the game the brighter of the two teams and dominated the opening minutes but failed to put any scores on the board, despite a number of clear cut chances. Indeed it was Armagh who scored the first point of the day on eight minutes with their first visit into the Down half. Mairin McAleenan levelled matters a minute later but the Down applause had hardly stopped when Olive McGeown goaled for the Orchard County.

A couple of quick McAleenan points, one from a 45, pegged back Armagh's lead to a single point before Brenda Gallagher restored Down's lead with stunning strike from 20 metres to the roof of the net.

Armagh's response was a solitary point from Mary Black but with McAleenan adding another two points and Deborah Kelland getting in on the act with a pointed free, Armagh found themselves trailing 1-2 to 1-6 at the interval.

Brighter start from Armagh

Armagh were quickest out of the blocks at the start of the second half. With Bernie McBride and Mary Black getting the better of the midfield exchanges and Joan Murphy dominant at centre-half back, it was backs against the wall stuff for Down as Armagh came looking for quick and early scores to get themselves back into the game.

Despite their pressure though, Armagh couldn't find a way through a solid Down defence and as Armagh had done at the start of the first half, it was Down who scored against the run of play with a point from Fiona Duff. Niamh McGeown replied with a point for Armagh but with McAleenan adding a further 1-3 to her tally, along with points from Ann Morgan and Katrina Fegan, neither McGeown's point nor points from Black (0-2) and Patricia McEvoy (0-1) had any bearing on the final outcome of the game.

Preparations have been going well ahead of Down's All-Ireland semi-final clash with Roscommon on August 15th and this tough competitive fixture against Armagh was just what was needed. But thoughts though must now turn fully to that Roscommon game and the chance to make it to Croke Park.

Paul Welsh
Fairplay sport and leisure
PEIL one sport one passion
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