ULSTER LADIES U16 B CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMI FINAL: DOWN 3-10 FERMANAGH 2-6

The Down U16 team secured the Ulster B title in Emyvale on Sunday with a commanding victory over Fermanagh. The Mourne girls took to the field seeking to overturn a defeat to the Erne side earlier in their Ulster campaign. However they got off to the worst possible start when Fermanagh slotted home a goal in the first minute. Given the shaky start, it took Down some time to settle into the game but they regained their composure eventually when full forward Grainne Kelly hit the net after a well worked attack. They followed this swiftly with a goal and a point from Saval player Lorraine Havern. The teams exchanged points for the duration of the half but it was Down who went into the changing rooms with the upper hand, leading 2-4 to 1-3 and giving themselves a great chance of lifting the Ulster title.

Down started the brighter of the two teams in the second half but didn’t capitalise on the wealth of possession they had in the first quarter. Fermanagh punished this with a goal to bring the gap down to two points. However a goal from Newry Shamrocks player, Orla Fegan and points from sub Natashya Lennon and corner forward Cara Laverty restored the cushion and allowed the mourne girls to finish strongly and claim the Ulster title for the first time.

Down will have been delighted with their performance, which is a testament to the work put in both by themselves and their management team, John McCarthy and Noel Haughey. The basis for the win came from a very solid back line unit, with Niamh McGowan and Clonduff’s Paula Gribben particularly good. Grainne Kelly, who featured for the senior team last week was at the heart of everything Down created, and always looked dangerous in attack. And while every Down girl contributed to the win, the Player of the Match award must go to Newry Shamrocks Sinead Fegan who gave a captain’s performance throughout, with a phenomenal workrate both in defence and attack. This win is the third trophy for Down’s underage teams this year given the U14’s recent Ulster success and with an All Ireland quarterfinal to come, Down U16s will no doubt be aiming for bigger and better things.

Down team:

Christine McCarthy, Grace Cole, Niamh McGowamn, Ciara McArdle, Roisin Torney, Paula Gribben, Catherine Boden, Clara Fitzpatrick, Sinead Fegan (capt), Sheena Kelly, Grainne Kelly, Orla Fegan, Lorraine Havern, Eimear McKay, Cara Laverty. Subs used: Natashya Lennon, Catherine Digney