Down LGFA U14s win the Silver Final and U18s claim huge victory in the Minor Championship

By Stephen McCoey

Conditions were perfect for the Silver Ulster championship final in the Festival of Football and both teams were clearly nervous in the opening exchanges - both getting into good attacking positions but turning the ball over once they entered the final third.

Donegal struck first opening the scoring with a nice point from play. Down equalised soon after following some nice interchanges and forcing Donegal into a foul - Abigail Harvey slotted the free over the bar. This seemed to settle the Mourne ladies down as they started to apply pressure on the Donegal kick out and their defence. Grace Guest added a point for Down then she crashed another shot off the bar. From the resulting kick out Down managed to turn the Donegal defence over and capitalised with a goal from Khloe Davis.

A couple of wides followed and Donegal managed a point in reply but the Down girls tails were up and they turned their pressure into points coming towards the end of the first half with another point from Grace Guest but crucially a second goal from Abigail Hanvey. to leave Down 2-3 to 0-2 in front at half-time.

Down started in the second half right where they had left off in the first – putting pressure all over the field on Donegal and when in possession moving the ball around from side to side with confidence. They were creating opportunities and Anaiah Lennon O'Hara capitalised scoring two goals and a point in the opening 10 minutes of the second period.

Another shot came back off the bar for Down but Donegal weren't going to lie down and scored an excellent point in reply.

However, Anaiah Lennon O'Hara scored another point from play then Izzie McCoey slotted a free over the bar with eight minutes left. Donegal showed their fighting spirit scoring a penalty in the dying minutes then another point but it was all over.

Down ran out comfortable enough winners in the end 4-6 to 1-4. And some fantastic scenes of celebration from the whole squad following a great performance. Captain Maria McStay lifted the trophy for the Mourne ladies and the management team expressed how proud they are of the team.

Down Team: 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 4

Down 6-19 Fermanagh 0-5

By Paul Devlin

As Down had already qualified for the next stage of the Minor Championship, manager Noel Napier used this opportunity to fully use his talented Minor squad.

In a much changed starting 15, Down were on the front foot from the start. Two Niamh McElroy points in the first four minutes set the tone for this fourth round clash. Fermanagh pulled a score back but a Katelyn Magee point was followed up with two Eve Rice scores to extend Down’s lead. Fermanagh scored again to cut the gap to three.

Pacey Rostrevor forward Magee got Down’s first goal of the match with a lovely finish. Bredagh’s Lara Heaney put the ball over towards the end of the half and while Fermanagh took the last score in the half, Down had dominated.

Multiple changes at half time for Down saw them step up a gear, scoring 5-13 in the second half alone. At times their football was outstanding. Cara Donnelly ended with 3-2, Ellie Sergeant 1-3 and Anna Downey 1-1. Maebh Coughlan 0-3.

Fermanagh, to their credit, never stopped competing and getting the final two scores of the game showed great character from the Lake County.

Another fantastic display by this super talented panel of Down players, who will be looking to break into the Senior set up very shortly judging on these performances.

Next up they will play Antrim in the Silver Semi Final on Saturday April 27 in Mayobridge GAC at 2pm.

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