​Down Ladies end the league on a high with victory over Clare and it's a winning weekend at underage

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Having secured promotion to Division 2, Clare travelled to Down looking to retain their unbeaten league record. Clare were slight favourites against Down, who themselves were on a four game unbeaten run.

Paige Smyth was the only change for this resurgent Down team. A concussion from last week's game against Louth saw Rostrevor's Clara Mulvenna miss out of Peter Lynch and Caoibhe Sloan's starting 15.

And it was the Downpatrick player Smyth who opened the scoring with a point in the first attack of the match. Bryansford’s Natasha Ferris is one of the most dangerous forwards in the country, and her shooting was devastating in the first half – totalling 0-6, keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Down.

Niamh King and Laoise Duffy were the main creative sparks for Down, especially Bredagh's talented forward Duffy, who constantly cut open the Clare back line with her pace and soloing ability that lead to multiple chances for Ferris or fouls. Natalie McKibbin and Orla Duffy were also causing issues for Clare. The Down halfbacks pace in both defence and attack was a constant problem for the visitors in the first half.

However, Clare are a classy outfit and were always a threat. A fantastic save from Teconnaught's Amy McGivern denied Katie Mullen as she raced through, but Ailish Considine followed up the rebound and scored the goal that undone a lot of the good work that Down had put in and got the Banner county level early on.

Two Fidelma Marrinan points added to Clare's first half total. Downpatrick's Orla Boyle and Teconnaught's Aimee Greene (playing at her home club) have been outstanding this season, and alongside the pacey Ciara Byrne the Down backline restricted Clare's high scoring forwards to limited chances. While a point from Down's Laoise Duffy added on to Ferris's haul, and saw Down take a three point lead into the break.

A yellow card on the stroke of half-time meant that Down were down to 14 for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Down defensively held strong in this period with Aoife Laverty, Niamh McClory and Vivienne McCormack working hard to close down Clare.

Meghan Doherty, Niamh Scullion and Orla Boyle all made crucial interceptions in defence and the team restricted Clare to a single point. Down offered very little going forward in this spell as they were content to retain possession and run the clock down soaking up any pressure. Once back to the full 15, Down again looked the stronger side.

Captain Meghan Doherty had an immense game for the Mourne Ladies. Her strength and power in the middle of the park swung this fixture in Down's favour with the Carryduff midfielder scoring next to keep the gap at three. It takes a talented squad to win league titles and Championships and the Down management put faith in theirs, as they made full use of this quality panel.

The commitment these players give to the county side cannot be understated, and it was a clear indication of the trust that the Down management have in these players by making so many changes with the game still in the balance. Down’s level of performance never dipped with most of the substitutes making crucial contributions to the second half.

Maeve Deery came on as substitute goalie and made a stunning save to keep Down in front when a Clare goal looked certain. Sarah Dougherty and Alice McAlea are two class players returning from injury and on this display are pushing for a starting place.

Aine Smyth and Aisling Cull both pointed to keep Down three in front when Clare looked like pulling level. Players like Warrenpoint’s Katie Howlett and other talented footballers such as Erin Sands, Niamh McGrath, Eimear Fitzpatrick, Eva Sloan, Niamh Rice and Neva Loudon all put in massive shifts to keep out a desperate Clare side who pushed hard for the goal that would keep their unbeaten record alive.

When referee Raymond McBride blew for the final whistle it was Down who were celebrating on the day. But Clare who will progress to the league final and promotion to Division 2.

Down will rue a slow start to the league campaign, that saw them win the last five games of seven but just fall short of promotion by a single point.

Down: A McGivern, A Greene, O Boyle, C Byrne, N McKibbin, M Doherty (C) (0-1), O.Duffy (0-1), P.Smyth (0-1), A Laverty, N Scullion, N King, L.Duffy (0-1), N McClorey, N Ferris (0-6), V McCormack, M Deery, E Fitzpatrick, E Sands, K Howlett, N Loudon, A Cull (0-1), A Smyth (0-1), A O’Higgins (inj), E Sloan, N McGrath, N Rice, S Dougherty, R McKenna, A McAlea.

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Ulster U14 Festival of football

Down 5-4 Fermanagh 4-2

Down's U14s were keen to build on last week's good performances against Donegal and Antrim by taking on Monaghan and Fermanagh, this time at home. Liatroim GAC were the hosts for Round 3 of the U14 Festival of football and their excellent facilities, leant itself to some great football.

Down took on Fermanagh in the first game. This was an amazing back and forth encounter with both sides battling hard for their jerseys. Some great finishes and really hard work saw Down edge this game by five, with an amazing four-goal haul for Down's Annie Fitzpatrick.

Ulster U14 Festival of football

Down 3-4 Monaghan 0-3

In their second game, Down faced Monaghan. Again this was a fiercely contested physical match.

Downs U14 management were delighted with an outstanding team performance. Down dominated possession and managed to hold the impressive Monaghan forward line to only three points in this game. While three unanswered Down goals in the second half gave the Mourne Ladies a great win.

It was a fantastic clean sheet for the Down keeper and defence; and two great results for the U14s to build on. Down U14 manager Stevie McCoey thanked Liatroim for doing a brilliant job of hosting the games. He also thanked the parents for their continued support for the team.

Down: Caoimhe Russell, Mollie Quinn, Maria McStay, Maisy Owens-Leonard, Caoimhe Donnelly, Ciara Doyle, Estelle Austin, Clodagh O’Donnell, Grace Guest, Ella Fallon, Maisie McAteer, Olivia McCusker, Izzie McCooey, Anaiah Lennon O’Hara, Khloe Davis, Kelsey Murray, Caitlin Bradshaw, Orlaith Mann, Olivia Dean, Anna McEvoy, Sofia Keenan Travers, Eibhlinn Poacher, Sophia Garvey, Jessica Flanagan, Eilidh O’Neill, Annie Fitzpatrick, Annie Fegan, Ruby McDonald, Caitriona Blaney, Ciara McKernan.

Ulster Ladies Minor Championship

Tier 2 Round 3

Derry 1-3 Down 2-2

Two second half goals from Ellie Sergeant and Méabh Coughlan turned this incredibly tight encounter in Down's favour and secured a two point win against Derry.

Both teams struggled to score in a game where hard defensive team work on both sides limited chances. Méabh Napier and Méabh Coughlan pointed for Down in the first half, however that lead was wiped out when Derry's Carla Collins got a goal for the home side.

After the break, the two Down goals turned the game, and despite three second half points for Derry it wasn't enough to close the gap. It was a great win for Down Minors who continue to impress.

Down: Erin Gough, Ezara Morgan, Niamh McConville (C), Kara Trainor, Anna Downey, Francesca Hall, Eimear Napier, Maebh Napier, Roisin McKenna, Molly Tumilty, Meabh Coughlan, Aine Catney, Lucy Connell, Ellie Sergeant, Niamh McGinley, Caoimhe Lavery, Niamh Madine, Anna McParland, Aoife Hanna, Cara Donnelly, Ciara McLornan, Cora Byrne Convery, Eve Rice, Phoebe Richards, Katelyn Magee, Kate Smith, Katie Havern, Lara Heaney, Niamh McElroy, Rachael McAteer.