Down book their place in play-offs

DOWN 3-17 WATERFORD B 0-11

The Down Ladies Team booked their place in the
Playoff semi finals with a convincing win over
Waterford B in Dublin on Sunday 10th. Playing
against a strong breeze in the first half, Down
were slow to get underway, allowing Waterford
a point from a free in the third minute. However,
once Denise Maguire (0-1) was sent through by
Michaela Downey (1-3) for a point, the Mourne
girls settled into the game. They proceeded to
dominate possession with a further point from
Downey and a goal from Emma O’Reilly low to the
keeper’s left, being the main highlights. Some
wayward shooting in the difficult conditions prevented
Down from taking control. This, combined with
a ten-minute sin bin for Eliza Downey allowed
Waterford back into the match. Their deadly accuracy
from frees saw them punish Down to take the teams
into the break level at 1-6 to 0-9 at half time.

As they have done throughout the year, Down showed
their ability to finish teams off with a strong
second half performance. They consistently moved
the ball wide, stretching the Waterford defence
and allowing the forwards, most notably Lisa Morgan
(0-4), Kyla Trainor (1-3) and Karen Keown (0-3)
to punish them up the middle of the field. Strong
performances in the back line came from Aveen
Downey and Aine Keary while Aoibheann and Michaela
Downey, who gave a textbook display of high catching,
ran the show for Down. The result was confirmed
with a goal by Downpatrick woman, Kyla Trainor
into the top right hand corner with ten minutes
to go. A goalkeeping error also saw Michaela Downey’s
high ball land in the net. Other scorers for Down
included Aoibheann Downey (0-1) and substitute,
Aileen Power (0-1).

The nature of Down’s quick expansive play, especially
in the second half is encouraging for the team,
who now play Tipperary on April 16th in the playoff
semi final. A win would give them automatic promotion
to Division Two and a possible rematch with Fermanagh
who now face Dublin B in the other semi final.