Down Claim Ulster Title

Down 0-15 Fermanagh 1-6

Aileen Pyers fired over six points as Down lifted the Ulster Intermediate crown this evening at the expense of a very defensive Fermanagh at Aughnamullen.

Sharon Little opened the scoring for Fermanagh with an early point however this was quickly cancelled as Grainne Mc Clean who was a late starter fired over a free. In the ninth minute Caroline Little scored the games only goal and the major was somewhat fortunate. Little got her powerful shot away however two Down defenders got in the way of it but the ball deflected off one of them and looped over Katie Farrell and into the back of the net. In the middle of the half Lisa Morgan scored a wonder point either side of two nice scores from Sharon Little. In the final few minutes two points from Sinead Mc Namee ensured the sides went in level at the break Fermanagh 1-3 Down 0-6.

The first few minutes of the second half were very eventful. Firstly Kyla Mc Manus was sin binned. Marcella Monaghan and Aileen Pyers then exchanged points and with just eight minutes gone substitute Jess Foy put Down in front for the first time however while scoring clashed with the Fermanagh goalkeeper resulting in her being knocked out. The game was held up for a considerable time as a result and the young forward was removed to hospital by ambulance from the pitch. After the resumption of the game it was really one way traffic for Down. Pyers hit three unanswered points and then substitute Lauren Cunnigham opened her account. Kyla Mc Manus pointed for Fermanagh on one of their rare sortie’s forward. Pyers added to her tally with another couple of points and Cunningham scored her sides last point. Caroline Little scored the last point of the game but Down had done enough to deservedly win by six points.

Down – K. Farrell, O. Boyle, G. Mc Clean (0-3), H. Murray, J. Magee, N. Mc Gowan, S. Fegan, E. Kane, M. Doherty, K. Mc Mullan, C. Fitzpatrick, S. Mc Namee (0-2), A. Pyers (0-6), L. Morgan (0-1), M. Grant

Subs Used – K. Trainor, J. Foy (0-1), L. Cunningham (0-2) and O. Fegan

Fermanagh – S. Murphy, R. Gallagher, A. Mc Hugh, S. Mc Quade, D. Maguire, T. Little, M. Mc Donald, A. Moane, S. Hamilton, K. Mc Manus (0-1), C. Little (1-1), J. Doonan, S. Little (0-3), M. Monahan (0-1), N. Connolly

Subs Used – L. Mc Fedderick and M. Mc Donald

Referee – T. Mc Shea (Donegal)