SUZUKI NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION
TWO: DOWN 2-12 DONEGAL 3-9
The Down Ladies team endured a nerve jangling
last five minutes to rescue a draw against
Donegal in a National League game that they
could and should have won. Playing against
a strong Donegal side, Down dominated for
large parts of the game, amassing a nine point
lead at one stage. However, the Tir Conail
county, relegated from Division One last year,
fought their way back and almost snatched
victory from Down’s grasp.
Playing in perfect conditions in Saval, Down
wasted no time in getting on the score sheet
as they pushed forward from the throw in.
Michaela Downey carried the ball from midfield
before passing it off to Lisa Morgan and the
Castlewellan player made no mistake in front
of the posts. Donegal responded quickly as
centre half forward Eimear O’Herlihy
latched on to a quick free to even the scores.
Down’s response was perfect though as
they proceeded to hit four points in quick
succession. Michaela Downey hit a brace, swiftly
followed by one each from Natasha Ferris and
Lisa Morgan, who scored following an excellent
turnover by Kyla Trainor. Donegal reduced
the deficit to three points with a score from
corner forward Yvonne McMonigle after a good
flowing move down the right wing. St Michael’s
player Bridget Callaghan reduced the lead
further with a free on the eleven-minute mark.
Down’s tenacity in possession paid
off just before half time as they were awarded
a penalty for a foul on Kyla Trainor, who
was pulled back after capturing a long ball
into the square under pressure from four Donegal
defenders. The Downpatrick player stepped
up to take the penalty herself but the kick
went agonisingly to the left and wide. Down
regrouped immediately though, with Downey
scoring from the Donegal kickout.
The second quarter proved much more competitive
than the first with both teams scrapping for
possession. Donegal continued to push forward
from midfield with Yvonne McMonigle and full
forward Karen Guthrie proving a handful for
the Down defense. McMonigle got on the scoreboard
again on the twenty minute mark after pouncing
on a good Donegal block in the Down defense.
However, the score would be overshadowed two
minutes later as Down hit the net for the
first goal of the game. Lisa Morgan scrapped
tirelessly for possession on the half way
line before finding Natasha Ferris with a
pass down the right wing. Ferris proceeded
to hit a pinpoint pass to Aileen Pyers in
front of goal, with the Annaclone player duly
sidestepping Donegal ‘keeper Roisin
McCaffery to slot home a goal. Ferris followed
this up with a quick point to give Down a
six point lead heading towards half time.
However McMonigle and Guthrie continued to
do damage in the Down defense hitting a further
three scores to keep their side in contention.
Down had the last say of the half though as
Aileen Pyers hit a twenty yard free to give
Down a four point half time lead. Half time
Down 1-8, Donegal 0-7.
Whatever was in the Down drinking water at
half time certainly had the desired effect
as they came out firing on all cylinders in
the second period, with substitute Fionnuala
Carr making her mark in midfield. A goal and
two points in four minutes from Michaela Downey
extended their lead to nine points leaving
Donegal with a long way back into the game.
However, a combination of poor Down play and
Donegal stepping up a gear allowed the Tir
Conail county to do just that. In what was
a real purple patch for the green and yellows,
Yvonne McMonigle and Karen Guthrie reeked
havoc in the Down back line, making a number
of surging runs forward, supported from midfield
by Nadine Doherty and Maria Devanney. Doherty
was the supplier for the first goal, with
a long ball through the middle for Catherine
McAteer to chase. The St Eunan’s player
narrowly beat Down ‘keeper Elaine McCourt
to the ball before slotting home for the three
points. Their scoring spree continued for
a further five minutes, amassing another goal
and two points to not only claw back the Down
lead but give themselves a two point advantage
with five minutes left on the clock.
The Down team fought back well in the closing
minutes as they sought to recoup the two point
deficit. Saval players Niamh McGowan and Niamh
Lennon worked ferociously in defense to win
possession while Aileen Pyers held her nerve
to fire over two hard fought frees in the
final minute. Down hearts were almost broken
though as Donegal surged forward in search
of the winning point. They worked the ball
into full forward Guthrie who hit for the
posts with the last kick of the game only
to be denied by a match saving block from
centre half back Aoibheann Downey. As the
Down supporters’ blood pressure recovered,
the final whistle blew for a draw. Final Score
Down 2-12, Donegal 3-9.
Down will have been disappointed with the
result of the game, given the extent of their
domination, particularly at the start of each
half. And while there were many positives
to be taken from the match in terms of the
team’s shooting and movement against
what is a quality team, their inability to
take key scores that would have killed off
the game came back to haunt them. Managers
Sean O’Hare and Paul McShane reflected
the team’s disappointment saying, “we
knew Donegal were going to be a real test
for us today and we worked hard to get ourselves
into a winning position with some great play
at times. But we let ourselves down at key
points in the game and paid the price for
it in the end.”
Away from the football action, the team are
hosting a Night At The Races in the Downshire
Arms, Hilltown on Friday 22nd February at
9.30pm. The Down Ladies County Board would
also like to thank those who contributed to
the success of their fundraising table quiz
last week, particularly O’Neills Sports,
the Canal Court Hotel, Retro GAA and host
Aidan O’Rourke. The team’s next
outing is away to Tipperary on March 2nd.
Down team: Elaine McCourt, Eliza Downey,
Niamh McGowan, Niamh Lennon, Emma Mulhern,
Aoibheann Downey, Sinead Fegan, Sinead Murphy,
Lyndsey Cunningham, Grainne McClean, Lisa
Morgan, Kyla Trainor, Natasha Ferris, Michaela
Downey, Aileen Pyers. Subs Used: Fionnuala
Carr, Jenna Connell, Emma Madine.
