Catherine McConville,
Down Ladies
Suzuki Ladies Football Division Three Result
Down 1-8 Fermanagh 2-8
The Down Ladies team lost their unbeaten record
in the Suzuki National League on Sunday against
a determined Fermanagh side at Pairc an Easler.
Down got off to a good start in the fourth
minute with a free kick from Kyla Trainor after
a foul on Michaela Downey. However the Erne
County quickly responded with a goal two minutes
later - a high ball in beating the Down defenders,
to leave a free shot for the Fermanagh forward.
Down brought the gap back to one point after
a good ball in from the wing by Aveen McEvoy
to Lisa Morgan resulted in a foul. The Castlewellan
woman duly pointed from the free. The remainder
of the first half though saw Fermanagh capitalise
on their possession, especially from frees and
despite a Down point from Karen Keown, the Erne
County went into the break well in control,
leading 2-4 to 0-3.
In what proved to be a tense second half, the
Down girls lifted their game to get some early
scores from Lisa Morgan and Emma O‘Reilly.
An excellent solo effort from Kyla Trainor,
resulting in a goal saw the gap narrowed to
three points. The Down side had the lion’s
share of possession and piled on the pressure
with additional scores from Lisa Morgan and
Lyndsey Cunningham. However, some dogged defence
from Fermanagh in the last few minutes enabled
them to hold on to win 2-8 to 1-8.
The Down girls will no doubt be disappointed
with the nature of their performance, especially
in the first half. However with these two teams
dominating this Division, a rematch in the playoff
final looks likely – a match that both
sides will be eagerly looking forward to.
