Down Ladies power past Louth in a superb home performance

Down had to beat Louth and hope that Antrim would do them a favour by taking points from joint leaders Clare, to have any chance of keeping their promotion dream alive this season. While Louth were still looking over their shoulders and needed a win to secure their Division Three status.

A last minute switch of venue saw in form Down, who had won their last three games, entertain Louth in Ardglas.

Ardglass GAC did a fantastic job to host this game with little notice, as it was a bumper crowd that made the journey on St Patrick's day for this highly anticipated fixture. Those in attendance were thoroughly entertained, in this high scoring, fast paced encounter with some breath taking football in spells.

Down had the better of the opening with Annaclone's Niamh McClory scoring a point.

That was soon followed with a goal of true quality. Captain Megan Doherty spilt open the Louth defence with a majestic pass that found Niamh King in acres of space, King then stroked the ball around the Louth keeper with the inside of her foot into the bottom corner of the net.

A converted free by Natasha Ferris was followed with another goal chance for Niamh King. This time a series of quick hand passes opened the Louth rear line and King was through on goal. However the Castlewellan forward opted for the easy score and put the ball over.

Louth got into the game with a great score from distance by Kate Flood. The powerful St Partrick's forward was a constant threat in the game and in this form, is undoubtedly one of the best forwards in the Country.

Vivienne McCormack was the next Down forward to capitalise on a defence splitting pass. Clara Mulvenna setting up the chance by using her soccer skills, playing the ball from the ground to cut open the Louth defence again picking out McCormack, who put over.

Two more King scores extended Down's lead. The second of these was set up by an amazing bit of skill when Natasha Ferris bicycle kicked the ball over her shoulder and cleared the Louth defence finding King in space who again slotted over.

Louth responded when Kate Flood got her and Louth's second from a free.

Down were playing some great football in this spell. One of the seasons stand out performers set up the next goal for the Mourne ladies. Laoise Duffy has been in exceptional form this year, and one of her trade mark runs saw her outpace the Louth corner back, a well timed fist pass over the keeper left Natasha Ferris with a simple palm finish into the empty net.

Niamh King added to her total with a great point from a tight angle.

For the first twenty minutes of the game it was almost all one way traffic but then Louth started to find their rhythm. After another Flood free, the Wee county got their first goal. Coming on as sub, Holly Lamb Sally scored with her first touch of the game. Finishing well, from a good move down the right wing.

Bryanford forward Ferris, hit back with a point for Down after Ciara Byrne found her in space.

Another dangerous Louth forward, Niamh Rice got a score but that was cancelled out when Aimee Greene finished off a lovely Down move. A great cross field ball by Rostrevor's Niamh Scullion connected with Megan Doherty, her equally sublime pass found Greene joining the attack from the full back line and she converted in style, finishing the scoring in a half that Down had dominated for long spells.

Louth came out in the second half firing, but for three great saves by the outstanding Amy McGivern Louth would have been right back in this game. The Teconnaught keeper has been a rock in nets for Down this season and is a big part of the upturn in fortune for the team.

This is a very impressive Down side who are playing with real confidence and flair.

Despite Louth pushing hard it was Down who got the first score of the second half, when Laoise Duffy scored following another strong run.

Niamh King got another goal in the next attack. A Clara Mulvenna pass picked out Natasha Ferris who released King with a bit of magic, with an over the shoulder box kick.

A head injury to Mulvenna who had to go off seemed to disrupt the balance of the Down team and Louth started to really impose thier will on the game.

Although the Down back line had done an amazing job shacking Louth's Niamh Rice, its impossible to keep a quality player like this out of the game. The Louth no.11 picked up the ball on the 20 meter line, turned her marker and was through on goal. However her goal bound powerful shot was turned onto the bar with another amazing stop from McGivern. But Ciara Woods did what all good forwards do and followed the ball in, sidefooting the rebound into the net for a Louth goal.

But any chance of a late Louth come back was quashed with yet another Down goal. This goal started with an excellent intercepted pass by Megan Doherty, she found Niamh King wide on the left near the half way line. A great run by King was rewarded when Vivienne McCormack collected King's pass and bundled the ball pass the Louth keeper and into the net.

Danger woman Katie Flood scored again for Louth after Niamh Rice won a free.

Aine Smyth done well after coming on as a sub for Down, getting two well taken scores to seal the win and a impressive team performance. Down had done their part beating an extremely dangerous Louth side. However results elsewhere went against Down. With Clare’s victory over Antrim, it means that even if Caoibhe Sloan's and Peter Lynch's Down team beat Clare next Sunday it will still leave them one point behind the joint-leaders.

MATCH STATS

Down: A McGivern; A Greene (0-1), O Boyle, C Byrne; N McKibbin, M Doherty, O Duffy; C Mulvenna, A Laverty; N Scullion, N King (2-4), L Duffy (0-1); N McClorey (0-1), N Ferris (1-2), V McCormack (1-1).

Subs: M Deery, E Fitzpatrick, E Sands, K Howlett, N Loudon, A Cull, A Smyth (0-2), P Smyth, A O’Higgins, E Sloan, N McGrath, N Rice, S Dougherty, S O'Neill, A McAlea.

Down U16s net five goals in win over Monaghan

U16 Ulster Championship: Monaghan 2-5 Down 5-1

Down's U16 ladies travelled to Monaghan on Saturday for round three of the U16 Ulster Championship.

Heavy wind and rain made for difficult conditions for both sides, and converting scores was a problem throughout the match.

It was Monaghan that made the brighter start with a goal and a point in the opening spell of the match. A well worked Down goal from Isa was quickly cancelled out with another Monaghan goal and point to give the home side an eight point lead.

Down replied with a point from Annie from a free but Monaghan regained their eight point advantage when they spilt the black spot.

Down stepped up their efforts and three unanswered goals from Clodagh, one of which was a penalty, turned this game on its head. Monaghan fought hard to get back into the game and put the ball over twice more to reduce Down's lead to two, and set up a nervous end of the game for the Mourne ladies.

However, Down made the game safe with another goal from Clodagh to give them a good away win by five.

It was another great result for this talented U16 side, especially in the conditions.

Down U14s play ‘outstanding football’

Down's U14s got their Festival of Football campaign underway on Saturday with a trip to Donegal.

After their first round of fixtures was cancelled a few weeks ago, the U14s were looking forward to the challenge of taking on Donegal and Antrim.

A large panel took part in two highly competitive games, with sides not only battling each other, but also the elements. Down faced Antrim in the first game.

Horrendous wind and rain conditions made this game a real battle. Although under pressure, Down’s defence was excellent on the day. The whole team worked hard as a unit to close down Antrim’s attacks and take control of the game. Cool heads and great finishes for a couple of Down goals made the difference as the Mourne ladies pulled ahead of Antrim and secured a four point win.

Antrim and Donegal drew in the second game. Down then faced home side Donegal. With the wind and rain not letting up and two games already played on it, the pitch was now very heavy.

However despite these conditions, both teams played some outstanding football. Donegal edged ahead of Down and despite a fantastic second half performance from Down, where they were well on top, they couldn't get past a very strong Donegal side narrowly losing by two points points 2-5 to 1-6.

It was a great day out and a valuable development experience for this young talented panel.

Speaking after the game Down U14 manager Stevie McCoey said: “I'm so proud of the girls today. They battled superbly in both games in very wet and cold conditions.

“We were under pressure in both games at times, but played some outstanding football which is what we expect from this talented group. In terms of effort they gave it their all.

“These girls still have more gears to go through and we're really looking forward to training and next week’s home games. The girls are all in great spirits.”