Write a comment
Down hosted Derry on Saturday 17 February in the first round of the Ulster Ladies Minor Championship at Jack Mackin Park in Newry. Terrible conditions faced both teams as torrential rain battered down on the pitch making ball handling and shooting especially difficult throughout the match.
There was little to separate either team at the beginning of the first half, with midfields and defences giving little chances. Derry twice took the lead and twice Down levelled, trading points over the bar. However, as the half went on it was the visitors who were on the front foot and won a penalty in the 21st minute. Unfortunately for Derry, this penalty was missed, as the Derry forwards powerful shot came back off the crossbar and was cleared to safety by the covering Down defenders. Derry was denied another goal a few minutes later. Aine McAllister did well to get to the ball first and get her shot away, only to see the ball hit the bar again. Derry did reclaim the lead with a well taken score when Magherafelt's Anna Donnelly put the ball over, after a good hand passing move created the chance. With the half drawing to a close Down created a great chance as they opened the Derry defence. As Meabh Coughlan raced through on goal, she was brought down and after a brief check with the umpires the referee gave the penalty. This was dispatched into the bottom corner to give Down a two point lead right on the stroke of halftime Down 1-2 v Derry 0-3.
The second half saw no let-up in the rain, but this time Down looked the stronger side. A good hand pass move resulted in a Lucy Connell point. Derry then got right back into the game when they got their second penalty of the match. Aine McAllister making no mistake this time from the spot and drew level. Down were playing some great football in the conditions, as the defence and midfield never let Derry get a foothold in the second half. Clonduff's Emily Bingham Abbot was a stand out performer for Down. Her pace and ability to be in the right place at the right time caused so many turnovers, but in truth it was an overall team display that would have been pleasing for the Down management team. Two unanswered points from the impressive Meabh Coughlan of Dundrum moved Down clear but the game was never comfortable as Derry fought till the end. Carryduff full forward Cara Donnelly was another who had a great game, securing the win with a late point and extend the lead to three.
An extremely hard fought win for Down. Derry will rue missed chances and curse the Down crossbar.
Final score: Down 1-6 - Derry 1-3
Down Team: Erin Gough, Kara Trainor, Cora Byrne Convery, Aine Catney, Anna Downey, Phoebe Richards, Emily Bingham Abbott, Roisin McKenna, Niamh McConville, Ciara McLornan (C), Meabh Coughlan, Niamh McGinley, Lucy Connell, Cara Donnelly, Molly Tumilty, Caoimhe Lavery, Anna McDonagh, Anna McParland, Aoife Hanna, Eve Rice, Kate Smith, Katelyn Magee, Katie Havern, Eimear Napier, Ellie Sergeant, Ezara Morgan, Lara Heaney, Niam Madine, Naimh McElroy & Rachael McAteer
Derry Team: Teagan McAdams, Shannon McCorriston, Hannah McEldowney, Dararose McElhinney, Grace Loughran, Anna Henry, Duvessa Quinn, Rhianna Doherty, Eve Convery, Aoife Gormley (C), Kate McCann, Sarah Loughran, Shona Fullerton, Aine McAlister, Anna Donnelly, Caoimhe Mullan, Catherine O’Kane, Eva Moran, Orlaith Doherty, Molly McGuinness, Orla Martin, EllaRae Devine, Shannon Gallagher, Ava Bradley, Lily Hurl, Erin McDonald, Amber McGroary, Leanne McCullagh, Shannon McCartney & Ciarrai O’Kane.
