Ladies Football

Suzuki National League Division Two

Tipperary 2-7   Down 2-4

The Down Ladies Team were cruelly denied their first win of the National League by a last gasp goal from Tipperary in Kinnegad.  Leading for almost the whole game, Down were hit by a last minute goal, leaving them to rue some missed opportunities.

Down started well, with Kyla Trainor hitting the net in the early minutes despite a heavy challenge from her marker.  Unfortunately, the referee blew early granting the free and unluckily denying the Downpatrick player her score. Tipperary went on to take the lead with a well taken point from full forward Patricia Halliday.  Not to be discouraged though, the mourne girls pressed on and their efforts were rewarded with a goal and two points from Michaela Downey and a fisted goal from Grainne McClean.  Tipperary came back with a goal of their own and the teams headed to the changing rooms level, Tipperary 1-5, Down 2-2.

With neither team dominating possession in what was a closely fought first half, the second half saw an equally competitive match up.  A foul on Kyla Trainor in the square saw a penalty awarded however Tipperary ‘keeper Helen Kennedy dived superbly to palm the ball behind for a fifty.  The incident also saw the referee ‘sinbin’ Edel Hanly for ten minutes for the foul.  Despite the numbers advantage, Down didn’t fully capitalise as Tipperary hit a number of further points.  Indeed, they were awarded a penalty of their own half way through the second period only for Patricia Halliday to miss badly, with the weak shot going wide to the right of the post.  Down came back with two points from the impressive Michaela Downey, one from a free and one from play.  Newry Shamrocks player, Orla Fegan came on for Grainne McClean and made an immediate impression, hitting narrowly to the right of the goal.  Despite the chances accrued on both sides and the fourteen frees conceded by each team during the game, the teams entered the final nervous minutes on level pegging.  Tipperary were to sneak the win as a quick kickout was captured by midfielder Teasa McManus and driven up the field to Gillian O’Brien.  The no.12 took possession and went on a ten yard solo run before hitting a great strike into the back of the net.  From the ensuing kickout, the ref’s whistle sounding, breaking Down hearts.

Down will be disappointed with a second unlucky defeat in what was a highly competitive game.  There were several positive performances though, notably from Michaela Downey  (1-4), Newry Shamrocks Niamh McGowan, and Bredagh’s Kerrie O’Neill. 

Down Team: Emma Madine, Sinead Murphy, Kerrie O’Neill, Niamh Lennon, Eilish McConville (captain), Bronagh McCurry, Sinead Fegan, Aine Keary, Cora McKibben, Grainne McClean, Michaela Downey, Maeve McConville     , Kyla Trainor, Lyndsey Cunningham, Niamh McGowan.  Subs Used: Frances O’Connor, Orla Fegan                                    

Management: John McCarthy, Noel Haughey