Powerful start spurs Down to decisive win

A BLISTERING start provided the platform for Down’s victory in Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 final against Tipperary.

The Mourne County rocked Tipperary with two goals inside the first four minutes and despite a spirited effort, the Premier County could not get close enough.

The influential Michaela Downey netted after just 18 seconds and when Downey’s 4th minute shot was smothered by Tipperary goalkeeper Nora Noonan, Kyla Trainor was on hand to force the ball home.

Tipp fought back and at half-time, they trailed by 2-5 to 0-7.

Seven minutes after half time Mairéad Morrissey missed a glorious Tipp goal chance before player of the match Aileen Pyers grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck for Down.

Tipperary lost the services of sin-binned full back Maeve Corcoran 19 minutes after the restart and with Corcoran off the pitch, Pyers kicked four points in that spell.

Tipp had the chance to force a dramatic finish but Morrissey dragged her penalty wide.

Down scorers: A Pyers 0-6 (2f), M Downey & K Trainor 1-2 each, F Carr & L Morgan 0-1 each.

Tipperary scorers: E Hanley 0-5 (4f), S Lambert 0-2, C Peters, G O’Brien, M Morrissey & S Crotty 0-1 each.

DOWN: B Russell; J Connell, E Downey (c), N Lennon; K O’Neill, A Downey, S Fegan; K Trainor, F Carr; G McClean, L Morgan, O Fegan; E Mulhern, M Downey, A Pyers.

Subs: L Cunningham for Mulhern (38), A Gosling for K O’Neill (46), C O’Neill for O Fegan (60 +4).

TIPPERARY: N Noonan; C Lambert, M Corcoran, B Ryan; A O’Dwyer, J Grant (c), S Costello; C Peters, A McDermott; G O’Brien, M Morrissey, S Lambert; S Crotty, E Hanley, C Walsh.

Subs: AM O’Gorman for Crotty (42), K Hackett for Hanley (60).

Referee: Des McEnery (Westmeath).