Suzuki National League Division 2 - Down
Ladies Top Of Division Two
The
Down Ladies team made the long journey to
Tipperary last Sunday aiming to maintain their
unbeaten run in this year’s competitions.
The long trip proved to be successful as they
overcame a formidable Tipperary side to take
the three points and move to the top of Division
Two.
The early spoils were shared
with Aileen Pyers’ second minute point
matching that of Tipp Centre half forward Edel
Hanly. Determined tackling in the Down defence
was rewarded when a turnover ball was worked
upfield by Kyla and Sinead Murphy to captain
Michaela Downey, who duly pointed. Their lead
was extended to five points on the six minute
mark with the first goal of the game. Sonya
McGaw combined well down the right wing with
Grainne McClean whose ball into the square put
the Tipperary back line under pressure. Amid
the resulting scramble, the ball made it’s
way to Michaela Downey who tapped the ball home
from short range.
Down’s sizeable lead
did not last long however as Edel Hanly collected
the ball on the Down half back line, before
breaking through the Down Defence and rocketing
the ball between the Down posts. Down regained
their composure though, with Lyndsey Cunningham,
Sonya McGaw and Kyla Trainor finding exploiting
gaps in the Tipperary back line. Aoibheann Downey
and Emma Mulhern also exerted significant pressure
in the half back line. Their persistenance paid
off on the fifteen minute mark. Downey turnover
in defence found Aileen Pyres whose pinpoint
pass gave Lisa Morgan the opportunity to send
a pile driver into the Tipp net from twenty
yards out.
Further Down scores from Aileen Pyers and Michaela
Downey further extended the Down lead and things
looked to be going well.
Mid-way through this half though,
things started to go wrong for Down. Michaela
Downey was sinbinned for a shouldering offence,
with Tipperary’s Mairead Morrissey and
Catherine Walsh pointing to reduce the Down
lead. They rocketed into a surprise lead as
half time approached though with two goals in
quick succession. Down made changes, bring Karen
Gribben into the full back line and reduced
the gap to one point with scores from Aileen
Pyers and Michaela Downey who returned to action
jst before half time. The damage of the first
half had been done though and it was going to
be anyone’s game in the second half. Half
Time Score Tipp 3-4 Down 2-6.
Down started the second half
in brisk fashion. Kyla Trainor launched a long
pass to Michaela Downey who tapped over from
twenty yards. Lynsdey Cunningham and Sonya McGaw
also started well while Karen Gribben was making
a big impact strengthening the back line. Michaela
Downey hit the crossbar although the team’s
purple patch was lessened with Sonya McGaw also
being sin binned. Tipperary again took advantage
of their extra player with Nancy Ferris and
Mairead Morrissey scoring and forcing Down ‘keeper
Elaine McCourt make a good diving save.
With the game in the balance,
Down dug deep with Lisa Morgan scoring a point
and a combination of Down forwards scrambling
the ball over the Tipp goal line after disarray
in the Tipperary defence. Perhaps the turning
point of the game came when substitute Eliza
Downey received the ball on her own half back
line before going on a scorching run up the
wing. The Annaclone player passed the ball off
to the forward line but instead of retreating,
proceeded to take it back and rifled the ball
into the Tipperary net from ten yards out.
After that, the Down ladies
never looked back and with Tipperary reduced
to fourteen players for a sin bin offence they
were continually put on the back foot. Down’s
work rate all over the pitch tired the Tipp
players and with Eliza Downey, Grainne McClean
and Aoibheann Downey on top of their games there
was no way back for Tipp. Final score Tipp 3-6
Down 3-13.
While there were some nervous
moment for Down in the game, overall they showed
superior strength and fitness to come back for
a good win. One of the most encouraging factors
in the game was the role that the substitutes
had in turning the game, with Karen Gribben
and Eliza Downey particularly impressive. The
result now leaves the Down Ladies team at the
top of Division Two with seven points. Their
final National League game is a mouth-watering
tie against Fermanagh on Sunday. A win will
guarantee them top spot and the pick of the
playoff semi finals against Clare or Waterford.
The Fermanagh game will take place in Saval
at 1pm on Sunday 16th March.
