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SUZUKI
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION THREE PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS
DOWN 3-17 WATERFORD B 0-11
The
Down Ladies Team booked their place in the Playoff
semi finals with a convincing win over Waterford B
in Dublin on Sunday 10th.
Playing
against a strong breeze in the first half, Down were
slow to get underway, allowing Waterford a point
from a free in the third minute. However, once
Denise Maguire (0-1) was sent through by Michaela
Downey (1-3) for a point, the Mourne girls settled
into the game. They proceeded to dominate possession
with a further point from Downey and a goal from
Emma O’Reilly low to the keeper’s left, being the
main highlights. Some wayward shooting in the
difficult conditions prevented Down from taking
control. This, combined with a ten-minute sin bin
for Eliza Downey allowed Waterford back into the
match. Their deadly accuracy from frees saw them
punish Down to take the teams into the break level
at 1-6 to 0-9 at half time.
As they
have done throughout the year, Down showed their
ability to finish teams off with a strong second
half performance. They consistently moved the ball
wide, stretching the Waterford defence and allowing
the forwards, most notably Lisa Morgan (0-4), Kyla
Trainor (1-3) and Karen Keown (0-3) to punish them
up the middle of the field. Strong performances in
the back line came from Aveen Downey and Aine Keary
while Aoibheann and Michaela Downey, who gave a
textbook display of high catching, ran the show for
Down. The result was confirmed with a goal by
Downpatrick woman, Kyla Trainor into the top right
hand corner with ten minutes to go. A goalkeeping
error also saw Michaela Downey’s high ball land in
the net. Other scorers for Down included Aoibheann
Downey (0-1) and substitute, Aileen Power
(0-1).
The
nature of Down’s quick expansive play, especially in
the second half is encouraging for the team, who now
play Tipperary on April 16th in the
playoff semi final. A win would give them automatic
promotion to Division Two and a possible rematch
with Fermanagh who now face Dublin B in the other
semi final.
Catherine McConville |
