Ladies Gaelic Football

Ulster U-16 Championship Result

Down 7-8 Armagh 2-3

The Down Girls U-16 team got their championship campaign underway with a convincing 7-8 to 2-3 win over Armagh in a very windy Banbridge. The Mourne county got off to a perfect start when Niamh Rafferty coolly slotted home a goal when straight through on the Armagh keeper. This quick score would set the scene for the rest of the game as Down continued to punish the orchard defence. Excellent performances in the back line from Sinead Fegan (Newry Shamrocks) and endless running from Castlewellan player Mairead Hearty provided the Down forward line with ample supply, which they capitalised on. First half scores from Orla McNally (2-0), Cara Laverty (0-1) and Niamh Rafferty (4-2) saw Down go into half time with a comfortable lead.

The second half saw the continuation of Down’s dominance. Substitute Sonya McGaw scored an excellent individual goal while Frances O’Connor hit the top left hand corner from the penalty spot following a foul on Niamh Rafferty. The Armagh girls fought back with two good goals but the fast running and accurate passing from the Down girls saw them finish victorious.

Stars on the day for Down were Sinead Fegan in defence, forward Niamh Rafferty who emerged with an eventual total of 4-2, and Mairead Hearty who ran the show in midfield. The extent of the Down win will have pleased the management team of Noel Haughey, John McCarthy and Michaela Downey. They will no doubt hope to maintain that level of performance as they progress through the rest of the round robin championship games over the next few weeks.