Ulster U-16 Championship- Down 7-8 Armagh 2-3

The
Down Girls U-16 team got their championship campaign
underway with a convincing 7-8 to 2-3 win over
Armagh in a very windy Banbridge. The Mourne county
got off to a perfect start when Niamh Rafferty
coolly slotted home a goal when straight through
on the Armagh keeper. This quick score would set
the scene for the rest of the game as Down continued
to punish the orchard defence. Excellent performances
in the back line from Sinead Fegan (Newry Shamrocks)
and endless running from Castlewellan player Mairead
Hearty provided the Down forward line with ample
supply, which they capitalised on. First half
scores from Orla McNally (2-0), Cara Laverty (0-1)
and Niamh Rafferty (4-2) saw Down go into half
time with a comfortable lead.

The second half saw the continuation of Down’s
dominance. Substitute Sonya McGaw scored an excellent
individual goal while Frances O’Connor hit the
top left hand corner from the penalty spot following
a foul on Niamh Rafferty. The Armagh girls fought
back with two good goals but the fast running
and accurate passing from the Down girls saw them
finish victorious. Stars on the day for Down were
Sinead Fegan in defence, forward Niamh Rafferty
who emerged with an eventual total of 4-2, and
Mairead Hearty who ran the show in midfield. The
extent of the Down win will have pleased the management
team of Noel Haughey, John McCarthy and Michaela
Downey.

They will no doubt hope to maintain that level
of performance as they progress through the rest
of the round robin championship games over the
next few weeks.