Ulster U16 Championship: Down 6-16    Armagh 0-7

The Down Girls team made a winning start to their Ulster U16 Championship campaign with a dominant display against neighbours Armagh in Dromara on Saturday. 

The game’s opening minutes were fairly even with both teams making scoring opportunities early on.  However, it was the Orchard county who were first on the scoreboard after four minutes through a pacey attack from Ballyhegan player Laura McKeever, who pointed with her second strike after the first was blocked by Annaclone’s Lisa Devlin.  Down quickly came back with a point from Siofra Murdoch after Niamh Millar had gone close, hitting the upright from distance.  While the team exchanged further points, Down finally got into their stride and began to stretch away from their opponents.  Centre half forward Kate McKay began to dominate on the forty-yard line with Mayobridge’s Courtney Linden making good runs from the corner.  Down’s sustained pressure began to pay dividends as a Ciara Ward pass found Natashya Lennon in front of goal and she duly hit the top right hand corner to extend the Down lead to four points.  This gap increased with a point from Kate McKay following a dispossession by Eimear Kane and a further goal from Natashya Lennon (3-4).  To their credit Armagh continued to fight with midfielder Coleen McElherron particularly good.  One of the best scores of the half came from Courtney Linden, who pointed from a narrow angle following a strong solo in from the right wing.  Armagh narrowed the gap with good points from Megan Cinnamin and Alanna Finn.  However, a final score from the excellent Siofra Murdoch saw Down take a commanding lead into the half time break, 2-7 to 0-5.

The second half saw the Down girls build on their lead.  A side footed goal from Natashya Lennon was quickly followed by an excellent individual effort from Tullylish player Charlotte O’Neill who charged down a kick from the Armagh ‘keeper to score an opportune goal.  Down made a number of substitutions during the half with Burren player Kelly O’Hare particularly impressive.  Midfielder Catherine McGovern also came into her own in the second period making a number of decisive runs and passes.  With the game over as a contest early on, the Down forwards showed what they were capable of with substitute O’Hare scoring an excellent point and hitting the back of the net following a neat interplay with Saval’s Eimear Kane.  The mourne girls ended the game with a belter of a point from long range by Charlotte O’Neill and another point from O’Hare.  Final score Down 6-15,  Armagh 0-7.

Down will have been delighted with their win, which puts them into the Championship semi finals.  Armagh, while well beaten never gave up and have a number of excellent young players who deserve credit for their performances, namely Coleen McElherron, Megan Cinnamin, corner forward Alanna Finn and half back Aoife McConville who never stopped throughout the game.

Down team: Christine McCarthy, Niamh McGrath, Lisa Devlin, Cathy Short, Roisin Torney, Niamh Millar, Ciara Ward, Catherine McGovern, Charlotte O’Neill, Eimear Kane, Kate McKay, Cara Cunningham, Siofra Murdoch, Natashya Lennon, Courtney Linden.  Subs used: Siobhan Lively, Gemma Toner, Kelly O’Hare, Edie Burns, Anna Madine