Down Ladies edge past Fermanagh

9 June 2021

DOWN senior ladies secured a crucial two-point win against Fermanagh in Brewster Park on Sunday, confirming their place in Division 3A football next season.

With everything to gain from the win both teams battled hard despite very warm conditions.

Down started without one of their key midfielders, Clara Fitzpatrick, who sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury in their last match against Roscommon — the third of her career — and will be out for the rest of the season.

The Fermanagh ladies got off to a strong start winning the first throw-in, but the Down defence held strong making it difficult for the home side to find space.

A neck and neck battle ensued with Down’s Jessica Foy and Natasha Ferris being the key scorers including a expertly finished penalty for Jessica Foy in the early stages of the game.

Fermanagh got plenty of bodies behind the ball and took advantage of some easy frees to register scores on the board. At half-time Down were leading 1-8 to Fermanagh 1-6.

It was again Fermanagh who started off stronger in the second half, scoring a goal to put them in the lead for the first time.

However, Down made some key substitutions to maintain their superb work rate in this final half.

Foy received a sin bin in the 47th minute leaving Down with 14 players, and Fermanagh used this to their advantage pointing some much needed scores.

Possession football was key in this game and a composed Down kept the majority of possession in the final quarter, ensuring their victory.

Down: Aisling Burns, Emily Martin, Ciara Byrne, Cara Cunningham, Orla Duffy, Meghan Doherty, Kim White, Aoife Keown (0-1), Oonagh Lavery, Niamh Scullion, Jessica Foy (1-6, 0-3 F), Laoise Duffy (captain), Aoife Laverty, Natasha Ferris (0-10, 0-5 F), Sarah Dougherty

Subs: Adair Trainor, Aisling Cull, Amy McGivern, Anna Marie Magee, Aoibheann McCarvill, Cristin Brown, Eimear Fitzpatrick, Kate McKay, Mairead Kavanagh, Natalie McKibbin, Orlagh Blaney, Orla Swail, Orna Kelly, Paige Smyth, Aimee Greene.

Fermanagh: Shauna Murphy, Erin Murphy, Molly McGloin, Eimear Keenan, Aisling Maguire (0-1), Courteney Murphy (captain), Sarah McCarville, Brenda Bannon, Aoife Flanagan (1-1), Sarah Britton (0-1), Joanne Doonan, Cliodhna Martin, Niamh McManus, Eimear Smyth (0-8, 0-7F), Aisling O’Brien (1-1)

Subs: Donna Owens, Sarah McCausland, Ciara Clarke, Dee Curran, Shannan McQuade, Nuala Curran, Dearbhla Duffy, Shanna Cassidy, Sarah-Jane Jones, Erica Douglas, Donna Feeley, Loura Grew, Roisin McDonald, Caiti Boyle, Roisin O’Reilly

Fermanagh Ladies 2-12

Down Ladies 1-17

LIDL NFL DIV 3A ROUND 3

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