CAVAN 0-4
DOWN 3-09
Top Scorer, Lyndsey Cunningham
The Down
Ladies team finished off their National League campaign with a compelling win
over Cavan in Templeport. The Mourne girls took to the field knowing that a
third win out of four would guarantee them a spot in the Divison Two playoffs
and made no mistake in grabbing the prize.
Down had the
better of the opening spoils as Aileen Pyers and Frances O’Connor had early
shots at goal but it was Cavan who made their mark on the scoreboard first. A
speculative drive across the goal by midfielder Carmel Rogers was palmed away by
the Down keeper only for Elaine Costin to fire over from the fourteen-yard
line. Unfortunately for Cavan, it was to be one of few scores they would get on
the day. Kyla Trainor got the Down bandwagon rolling on five minutes as a high
ball into the square rebounded out for the Downpatrick player to fire over. Her
score was followed up forty seconds later with a goal from Michaela Downey as a
quick ball up the middle of the field from captain Eilish McConville saw her
beat her defender and hit the net from close in. Down’s third score in a
matter of minutes came from Lyndsey Cunningham following good play from Kyla
Trainor, especially around the break ball. They compounded their lead with
further scores from Downey (1-1), Aileen Pyers and Grainne McClean (0-1), as
the quality of ball from Down’s half back line being worthy of mention. Cavan
secured their first point since the opening minute of the game as half back
Patricia Lynch pressed forward to score on 17 minutes. They did have some
positive moves forward with Carmel Rogers and Grainne Smith joining up well.
However, some wayward shooting and excellent reading of the game from Down backs
Bronagh McCurry and Aoibheann Downey saw their impact on the scoreboard
limited. Additional scores from Pyers, Maeve McConville (0-1), Kyla Trainor
and an excellent fisted point from Lyndsey Cunningham under pressure, saw Down
hit the dressing room well in control, leading 2-8 to 0-3.
Immediately
from the throw in, Down looked to be picking up where they left off in the
scoring stakes as Lyndsey Cunningham hit the net following a good solo effort
from Aileen Pyers (1-2). The roles were to be reversed two minutes later as
Cunningham (1-2) turned provider. The two players combined well down the middle
of the field with Annaclone player Pyers finishing off well for a point.
Despite the good start to the half from Down, from this point on, the scores
dried up for both sides, with Cavan only scoring once in the half. Down, while
dominating the play, squandered several scoring opportunities although a Kyla
Trainor (0-2) effort that rattled the cross bar did come close late on, and
while Cavan continued to drive forward, their play was characterised by a lack
of penetration with Kerry O’Neill, Aine Keary and Bronagh McCurry particularly
good in thwarting their efforts. This lack of penetration, even with Down’s
scoring drought saw the game over as a contest long before the final whistle
blew.
Team photo
So with a
bye next week, it’s mission accomplished for Down as they reach the Division two
playoffs. Manager Gregory McGonigle was suitably pleased after the game,
commenting, “overall we’re happy with the performance. We hit some great scores
in the first half, but the passing and movement all over the field was a
definite plus. We have some work to do, especially in terms of our second half
performance but we’re through to the playoffs, which is where we wanted to be at
this stage of the year”.
Down Team:
Elaine McCourt, Kerry O’Neill, Aoibheann Downey, Aine Keary, Eilish McConville,
Bronagh McCorry, Patricia McKibben, Mairead Hearty, Michaela Downey, Maeve
McConville, Kyla Trainor, Grainne McClean, Frances O’Connor, Aileen Pyers,
Lyndsey Cunningham. Subs used: Aveen McEvoy, Emma Madine, Karen Keown,
Geraldine Campbell
League Table
Played Points
|
Tipperary
|
3 |
6 |
|
Longford
|
3 |
4 |
|
Down |
4 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
0 |
|
