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Conditions were perfect for the Silver Ulster championship final between Down and Donegal in the Festival of Football at St McCartan's, Auger at the weekend. Both teams were clearly nervous in the opening exchanges - both getting into good attacking positions but turning the ball over once they entered the final third. Donegal struck first opening the scoring with a nice point from play. Down equalised soon after following some nice interchanges forcing Donegal into a foul - Abigail Harvey slotted the free over the bar. This seemed to settle the Mourne ladies down as they started to apply pressure on the Donegal kick out and their defence. Grace Guest added a point for Down then she crashed another shot off the bar. From the resulting kick out Down managed to turn the Donegal defence over and capitalised with a goal from Khloe Davis. A couple of wides followed and Donegal managed a point in reply but the Down girls tails were up and they turned their pressure into points coming towards the end of the first half with another point from Grace Guest but crucially a second goal from Abigail Hanvey. Going in at half time it was Down 2-3 to Donegal 0-2.
Down started in the 2nd half right where they had left off in the first. Pressure all over the field on Donegal and when in possession moving the ball around from side to side with confidence. They were creating opportunities and Anaiah Lennon O'Hara capitalised scoring 2 goals and a point in the opening ten minutes of the second period. Another shot came back off the bar for Down but Donegal weren't going to lie down and scored an excellent point in reply. However Anaiah Lennon O'Hara scored another point from play then Izzie McCoey slotted a free over the bar with 8 minutes left.
Donegal showed their fighting spirit scoring a penalty in the dying minutes then another point but it was all over.
Down ran out comfortable enough winners in the end 4-06 to 1-04. And some fantastic scenes of celebration from the whole squad following a great performance.
Captain Maria McStay lifted the trophy for the Mourne ladies and the management team expressed how proud they are of the team.
Down Team: Caoimhe Russell, Mollie Quinn, Maria McStay, Maisy Owens-Leonard, Caoimhe Donnelly, Ciara Doyle, Estelle Austin, Clodagh O’Donnell, Grace Guest, Ella Fallon, Maisie McAteer, Olivia McCusker, Izzie McCooey, Anaiah Lennon O’Hara, Khloe Davis, Kelsey Murray, Caitlin Bradshaw, Orlaith Mann, Olivia Dean, Anna McEvoy, Sofia Keenan Travers, Eibhlinn Poacher, Sophia Garvey, Jessica Flanagan, Eilidh O’Neill, Annie Fitzpatrick, Annie Fegan, Ruby McDonald, Caitriona Blaney & Ciara McKernan.
