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Downpatrick Ladies come of age
as they lift Intermediate title
- 18/08/03 Down
Ladies Intermediate Championship Final:
Downpatrick 4-07 Bright 2-08
Downpatrick beaten finalists in 2001 & 2002 came of age in 2003 when they finally
got their hands on the Ladies Intermediate championship. It wasn't plain sailing
though as they were made to fight every inch of the way by a very gallant Bright
outfit.
This game started slowly but exploded into life in the 4th minute
when Bright's Frances O'Connor 35 yrds out from goal picked up a brilliant probing
ball, her run was amazing and the outcome was just as spectacular when the ball
hit the back of the hoops net. A min later Bright went 4 points up when a foul
on Louise Farrand was punished by Michele Lavery. This is a good Downpatrick side
and Kyla Trainor got them off the mark with a 25 yd free. Bright upped their game
and continued to pressure but this wasn't converted into scores and when Downpatrick's
Karen Keown delivered a great ball into full-forward Olivia Gilchrist, she jinked
left then right before firing to the bottom LH corner of the net. Louise Farrand
& Frances O'Connor replied for Bright but Downpatrick had the last say of the
half with another Gilchrist goal to leave the interval score Downpatrick 3-01
Bright 1-03.
Bright came out from their half-time break determined to
claw back the 4-point deficit. Angela O'Connor got them on their way with a well-worked
point; Sarah Venney added a fabulous effort from a 40yd free. Kyla Trainor however
had other ideas and she soloed through and expertly chipped the keeper to keep
the hoops in front. Bright grasped the initiative and in a five minute spell midway
through the half an exhibition of free taking yielded 3 scores from the boot of
Sarah Venney.
Downpatrick however found their purple patch with like scores
coming from Karen Keown (0-02) & Kyla Trainor (0-01) to maintain the Status Quo.
With 5 minutes remaining Siobhan Burke entered the fray for Bright and had an
immediate impact, fielding a ball 14 yds out she knocked it back to Frances O'Connor
who rifled a shot to the net. The pace of the game was now frantic as each side
went hell for leather to win this one. Downpatrick though ensured their win with
points from Olivia Gilchrist, Louise Kelly & Kyla Trainor with Sarah Venney replying
for Bright.
There were scenes of amazing joy and celebration when Eamon
McElroy drew time on this decider, and the Downpatrick girls realised they were
the county champions. Downpatrick were deserved winners but Bright showed enough
in this final that their year is probably not that far away. P.J. Cunningham from
the Down Ladies County board then presented Olivia Gilchrist with the intermediate
cup. NB: Congrats to Olivia who was due to be married the next day.
Bright
Panel & Scorers:
Therese McCartan, Ciara Sharvin, Monica Kelly, Bernie Mahon,
Catherine Farrand, Christine Stranney, Aimee Tumelty, Catherine Curran, Sarah
Venney (0-04), Michelle Lavery(0-01), Angela O'Connor(0-01), Frances O'Connor
(2-01), Elaine Quinn, Siobhan Burke, Louise Farrand (0-01), Fiona Quinn, Diane
Kelly, Marie McLaughlin, Chrissie Quinn, Ciara Smyth, Sharon Sharvin, Nora Venney
Downpatrick Panel & Scorers:
Lisa Perry, Jennifer Fitzsimons, Nuala Kelly,
Emma Fitzsimons (c), Celine McEvoy, Maeve McConville, Deirdre McConville, Louise
Kelly, Karen Keown(0-02), Michaela Duffy, Kyla Trainor(2-02), Ciara Duffy, Eimear
McCartan, Olivia Gilchrist(2-01), Orla McNeill, Darryl Kelly, Ruth Kelly, Corrine
Bryce, Karen Baker, Monica Collins, Lucia Murphy, Louise Baker, Anna Newman, Bronagh
McCurry, Eilis McConville, Fiona Connolly.
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