By P.J. Cunningham (Down Ladies PRO)

Down Ladies got their 2004 campaign off to a flying start at Burren on Sunday, with a great win over a very much fancied oakleaf side.

Down playing with the breeze in the first period settled quickly and Kyla Trainor had the ball in the net as early as the 4th minute, Victoria Mallet replied with a good individual point but Down countered with a fantastic Lyndsay Cunningham goal after fine build up work from Jenna Connell and Kyla Trainor. Down’s Lisa Morgan and Derry’s Aishling Keely exchanged points as we reached the mid point of the first half with Down leading 2-01 to 0-02. The next 5 minutes belonged to Derry as they knocked over 4 unanswered points from Dervla McMaster, Ciara Moore(2) & Ursula Mullen to leave only a point between the sides. Down dug deep to hold off the Derry onslaught and in a fantastic 5 minutes purple patch before the break they had points from Lisa Morgan(2), Marianna Devlin, Kyla Trainor and another Down goal by Jenna Connell, with the ever dangerous Victoria Mallet knocking in a Derry goal to leave the Half-time score Down 3-06 Derry 1-06.

Derry now with the breeze on their backs started the 2nd period brightly with points from Aishling Keely(2) and Ciara Moore and Derry appeared to be in the ascendancy at this point. However the turning point in this very competitive match was another Kyla Trainor goal after 8 minutes after some neat build up work from Bronagh McCorry and Lisa Morgan. This score appeared to deflate the Derry girls, as Down had scores from Aileen Parr(2), Patricia McKibbin and Lisa Morgan with only a single Aishling Keely point in reply to give Down a 9-point lead with only 6 minutes left on the clock. Derry did tag on 4 final unanswered points but Down had done enough to pick up their first points of 2004.

Down had excellent performances from Helen Rice who made at least 5 or 6 top class saves, In defence Aveen McAvoy, Niamh Lennon and Michele Lively caught the eye, whilst upfront Kyla Trainor, Lisa Morgan and Jenna Connell were impressive, along with Aileen Parr who took 2 great scores after her late introduction.

Down team and Scorers: Helen Rice, Aveen McEvoy, Elisa Downey, Niamh Lennon, Maeve McConville, Bronagh McCorry, Michele Lively, Marianna Devlin(0-01), Patricia McKibbin(0-01), Orla McKibbin, Kyla Trainor(2-01), Lyndsay Cunningham(1-00), Sinead McEvoy, Jenna Connell(1-00), Lisa Morgan(0-05)

Sub used: Aileen Parr(0-02).

Next game is away to Monaghan B on Sunday 22nd February.