The Down U16 girls team were deservedly crowned All Ireland B Champions on Sunday following a nail biting three point victory over a valiant Roscommon team.  Playing in sunny Navan in front of a large and vocal Down support, the team sought to secure the first ever All Ireland title by a Down underage team.

The Mourne girls got off to a bad start as Roscommon’s nippy forward line got in amongst the Down defence.  Corner forward Anna McCormack got them off to a dream start with a point from the right wing after just sixty seconds.  This was swiftly followed by a point from Rachel Ryan, after a strong drive forward by the Roscommon captain.  The pressure on the Down defence was eased somewhat by an excellent solo down the right wing from Grainne Kelly, but the Annaclone player’s shot went unluckily to the right of the post.  Roscommon continued their onslaught on the Down backs with three further scores from Ryan and full forward Martina Freine.  However, just as Down’s hopes looked to be heading south, they sprung back to life with a goal from Saval player, Lorraine Havern in the eighth minute.  A drive down the right from Natashya Lennon was followed by a rasping shot across goal but the power of the kick meant the Roscommon ‘keeper could only palm it away, with Havern pouncing to fire it home, sending the sizeable Down support into raptures.

With the nerves settled, Down’s forwards kicked into action, taking advantage of the good ball supplied from midfielders Polly Moane and Clara Fitzpatrick.  A point from Grainne Kelly was followed by goal for Down as the centre forward latched onto a high ball in from Lennon and finished well high to the ‘keeper’s right.  Down ‘keeper Christine McCarthy also played her part with a number of point blank saves to keep Down in the hunt.  Down’s third goal of the half again came from a dangerous high ball in, this time from Bryansford’s Clara Fitzpatrick.  Down’s forwards rose highest to punch the ball over Roscommon keeper, Bridgetta Menton’s head, with Natashya Lennon coming round the back to sidefoot the ball home.  The teams exchanged further points in the closing minutes of the half, but the earlier goals had done the damage for Down.  The teams headed into the changing rooms with the trophy still up for grabs, Down 3-04 Roscommon 0-11.  

Roscommon came out the brighter in the second half, hitting the post and pointing in the opening minutes, but in a mirror image of the opening half, Down’s fire power again pushed them ahead.  Two punched goals from Natashya Lennon and Saval’s Catherine Digney plus a point from Grainne Kelly gave the mourne girls some breathing space as both teams fought for every ball.  Roscommon refused to give up though, scoring two goals in quick succession to bring them right back into the game.  As the nerves jangled both on the bench and in the stands, Roscommon came at the Down defence in a sustained onslaught.  The Down backs though were immense, with Ciara McArdle excellent at corner back and Sinead Fegan giving a captain’s performance in terms of her blocking and tackling.  Goalkeeper Christine McCarthy repeated her first half performance with two top drawer saves.  Substitutes Grace Cole and Sheleen McDonald were also excellent, shoring up the defence in the crucial closing minutes.  Down eventually eased the pressure with a point near the end to leave them three points clear, and when the referee blew the whistle after seven excruciating minutes of extra time, the delight of players and supporters alike was plain to see.

Manager Noel Haughey was ecstatic at the final whistle saying, “the girls did themselves, their families and their county very proud today.  They battled and harried for every ball, their blocking was crucial and their belief in themselves never diminished at any time – there is a lot more to come from these players over the next few years”.  Co-manager John McCarthy concurred, saying “this is a great day for girls football in Down.  Our supporters filled the stand and never stopped shouting throughout the game.  We thoroughly deserved our victory today but we have to give credit to an first-rate Roscommon team, who contributed to what was an excellent game.”

In the end, it was Down’s firepower that was just too much for the Roscommon defence.  Natashya Lennon scooped the player of the match award, presented by Ladies GAA President, Geraldine Giles, reward for an outstanding personal tally of 3-3. Goalkeeper Christine McCarthy was excellent throughout, keeping her team in it at crucial times.  The kicking power of Clara Fitzpatrick, getting the ball forward quickly to Lennon and Havern also did damage, as did the movement of the whole forward unit.  In the final minutes though, it was the teams’ never say die attitude, exemplified by captain Sinead Fegan, that finally secured the cup, which the Down girls hope will be the first of many for this young team.

Down team:                      

Christine McCarthy, Catherine Boden, Niamh McGowan, Ciara McArdle, Roisin Torney, Paula Gribben, Sinead Fegan (capt), Clara Fitzpatrick, Polly Moane, Sheena Kelly, Grainne Kelly, Catherine Digney, Orla Fegan, Natashya Lennon, Lorraine Havern. Subs used: Grace Cole, Sheleen McDonald