By Paul Kelly
Down 0:5 Wexford 1:5
SOMETHING had to give as Down Ladies, last year’s junior All Ireland Champions, faced Wexford at a very cold and windy Pairc Esler with both teams hoping for a decisive win after defeats in their opening bid to gain promotion out of LGFA Division 3. Down lost away to Roscommon while Wexford lost at home to Clare with both teams looking for a much improved performance.
In the event, it was the visitors who triumphed.
Prior to throw in at the early time of 1pm, there were last minute changes to the starting line-ups, with Vivienne McCormack replacing Aisling Cull for Down and Loren Doyle replacing Katie English and Orlaith Byrne replacing Tara Doyle for Wexford.
Down went on the offensive from the throw-in and within the first minute Natasha Ferris put her first free wide of the post but settled to score her and Down’s first point after two minutes. Minutes later another Down free was sent wide. Wexford pressed forward but Down’s Niamh Scullion broke the attack. With Down looking to add to their score, a resultant free was again sent wide. Laoise Duffy then pointed for Down, with Aoife Brogan adding a further point for the home team.
Until the 16th minute, Down had been able to prevent Wexford from scoring, with their corner forward, Chloe Fox hitting a wide, followed minutes later by Caoilfhionn Ní Nuallain. Down made a substitution with Niamh McClory replacing Clara Mulvenna and just before half time Wexford keeper Sadbh McCarthy pulled off a brilliant save, but moments later, on the half time whistle, Vivienne McCormack pointed for Down.
As the teams took the field for the second half, Wexford substituted Ciara Roban for Catriona Murray and Wexford took the game to Down, putting immense pressure on the full back line.
Down’s Aoife Laverty then fielded a high ball and made a solo run up the pitch but shot wide. From the resultant kickout, Aimee O’Higgins fielded a high ball and pointed for Down, with Wexford’s Chloe Fox scoring a point minutes later.
Down’s day started to unravel as Niamh Scullion was shown a yellow card and sinned binned for 10 minutes. Wexford took their opportunity with Ciara Banville netting.
With the returning Niamh Scullion, it was the unfortunate Meghan Doherty who was then given a yellow card.
In the last 10 minutes, Down pushed for the goal that would have given them the victory, but Caoilfhionn Ní Nuallain pointed for Wexford, against the run of play and secured an away win for her team.
Down: Amy McGivern, Aimee Greene, Ciara Byrne, Orla Boyle, Natalie McKibbin, Meghan Doherty (C), Orla Duffy, Clara Mulvenna, Aoife Laverty, Niamh Scullion, Aoife Brogan, Laoise Duffy, Aimee O’Higgins, Natasha Ferris, Vivienne McCormack, Kate McKay, Eimear Fitzpatrick, Erin Sands, Katie Howlett, Paige Smyth, Neva Loudon, Aisling Cull, Niamh King, Niamh McClory, Aine Smyth, Amy Higgins, Niamh McGrath, Niamh Rice, Eva Sloan & Sarah Dougherty.
Down scorers:
Aoife Laverty 0-1
Aoife Brogan 0-1
Laoise Duffy 0-1
Natasha Ferris 0-1
Vivienne McCormack 0-1
Wexford: Sadbh McCarthy, Amanda Power, Maria Byrne, Loren Doyle, Roisin Hughes, Aisling Halligan, Sarah Harding Kenny, Roisin Murphy (C), Ciara Banville, Caoilfhionn Ni Nuallain, Clara Donnelly, Aoife Cullen, Ciara Roban, Orlaith Byrne, Chloe Fox, Leanne Moore, Tara Doyle, Niamh English, Eabha Cullen, Clodagh Dunne, Grace Donovan, Emer Hunt, Katie English, Kellyanne Dempsey, Isobella English, Rebecca Burke, Shauna Hackett, Anna Breen, Bebhinn McDonald & Catriona Murray.
Wexford scorers:
Caoilfhionn Ni Nuallain 0-1
Ciara Banville 1-1
Chloe Fox 0-3
Down senior ladies
Vivienne McCormack
Meghan Doherty
Laoise Duffy
