All the latest from the Down Ladies

Down Update:

Club Championships:
It was Championship time in Mourne with some very interesting semi-final
battles taking place. As expected Castlewellan secured their place
in the final but they didn’t get things all their own way with local
neighbours Byransford putting up strong resistance. Bosco had to
fight even harder to stave off a great challenge from last years
intermediate winners Downpatrick. This however has setup a mouth
watering final with Bosco and Castlewellan due to do battle in early
September for the honour of becoming county champions.

In the Intermediate Championship Loughinisland easily defeated Burren
to move into the final, their opponents will be come from the semi-final
meeting of Clonduff and Ballymartin which has yet to be played.

In the Junior Championship Aughlisnafin firmly put down a marker
to the rest of the junior sides that they believe their name will
be on the cup come September with a comprehensive victory over Ardglass.

County News:
Down will meet Donegal this Sunday in the final round robin match
of this years TG4 Ulster Senior Championship. At the time of writing
the venue and time have not being confirmed. Courtesy of Donegals
surprise victory over Tyrone, Down still have a great chance of
causing a play-off situation, however they need to beat Donegal
and hope for a Monaghan win over holders Tyrone. It is all to play
for and we can only hope that the team in red and black will still
be smiling come 7pm on Sunday evening.

Championship results:
Senior: Bosco 5-12 Downpatrick 3-07, Castlewellan 0-10 Bryansford
0-01
Intermediate: L’Island 1-19 Burren 1-03
Junior: Aughlisnafin 2-10 Ardglass 1-00

Match Report: Bosco v Downpatrick in Castlewellan on Saturday
17th July – Senior Championship Semi-Final

Bosco Ladies ensured they progression to the Final of the Down Ladies
Senior Championship with a tough win over Downpatrick in Castlewellan
on Saturday night. Bosco enhanced their favourites tag with the
first score of the game being a well taken goal from Emma Madine
followed by points from Michaela Downey and Sharon Murnaghan. However,
a very determined Downpatrick side fought back with scores from
Karen Keown, one of their best players on the day and a goal from
Olivia Gilchrist. The teams continued to trade scores up to half
time with Ciara Sands and Michaela Downey scoring for the Bosco
and a Kyla Trainor free leading to another Downpatrick goal.

Half Time – Bosco 2-7 Downpatrick 2-3

A downpour at the restart hampered the playing conditions for both
sets of players with neither team managing to move clear. A gutsy
performance by Downpatrick and good defensive work from Bosco, especially
Aoibheann Downey and Joanne Lively ensured that scores were hard
to come by. The turning point of the game was an superbly taken
goal from Brenda Russell. Further points followed from Michaela
Downey and Catherine McConville to ensure that it would be Bosco
meeting Castlewellan in the decider in September. Overall this was
an exciting game of football played in terrible conditions. Bosco
deserved their victory as they were the better team on the day,
but they will have to step up a gear if they are to overcome Castlewellan
in the final. All credit must go to a very gallant Downpatrick outfit
who pushed Bosco all the way to the wire.

Final Score Bosco 5-12 to Downpatrick 3-7
Referee : Leo Smyth
Bosco Team 1. Elaine Mc Court 2. Lorraine Tumilty 3. Joanne Lively
4. Marie Burke 5. Michelle Lively 6. Aoibheann Downey 7. Louise
Clarke 8. Michaela Downey 9. Brenda Russell 10.Sharon Murnaghan
11.Ciara Sands 12.Lisa-Marie Worsley 13.Emma Madine 14.Anne-Marie
Reilly 15.Catherine Mc Conville

P.J. Cunningham (Down Ladies PRO)