Down Ladies off the mark with big win against Cavan

​Down ladies got their Ulster Intermediate Championship off to a terrific start in Pairc Esler on Sunday with a comprehensive 10-point victory over Cavan, with Antrim next up in a couple of weeks’ time.

While Caoibhe Sloan and Peter Lynch's side were disappointed not to make it out of Division 3 this season, they proved they are more than able to compete at a higher level with a strong performance on Sunday against the side that have played Division 2 football all year.

Down had 1-4 on the board after 18 minutes with just a single point from their opponents. The Mourne ladies led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break and while Cavan got it back to a four-point game 1-6 to 0-5 with 47 minutes on the clock, the visitors would only score one more point while Down nabbed a second goal and the last four points of the game to run out comprehensive winners.

“It was tough and you sort of recognise that step up in level,” Sloan told the Newry Reporter after the game.

"Cavan were well-organised at the back and we found out really difficult to break them down in that first half. I suppose it took the fresh legs coming on for us to really open up and we were delighted with the way the girls responded to the challenges Cavan brought.

“It was good to get that one and championship all comes with a touch of nerves so it's great to get over the line today and our full attention will now turn to Antrim.”

The goals helped – the second from sub Eimear Fitzpatrick as the bench really put the nail in the coffin for Cavan.

“That's probably the hardest part of all of this. There are so many girls that deserve to start that don't get to start and they're coming on,” felt Sloan.

"There are only five subs allowed in championship football so it's difficult that there are girls who really deserve to play and probably would on any other day but didn’t get any minutes today. But the people that came on did the job and the team as a unit is what we're all buying into. We all have out roles to play and the girls that came in did that.

"I'm delighted for Eimear Fitzpatrick coming off the bench and getting her goal. She’s been getting minutes here and there and just hasn't really got her chances and it's just brilliant that she went full tilt there and she made a block in the half-back line as well. All across the field girls were throwing themselves on the line and that's what it's about, but we really felt we had to step up a level today and the girls responded really well to it and Antrim will be another step up again.”

For full match report see this week’s Newry Reporter in shops on Wednesday April 24.