Down beat Dublin in Division Three National League

Down 6-14
Dublin 0-05

Down played their second match in Division Three of the National League at An Riocht on Sunday and left with their unbeaten record still in place. Taking on Dublin was an unknown challenge, but a well prepared Mourne team ensured that their national league ambitions continue.

Dublin were first off the mark with a pointed free however the home side took control playing with a strong wind. Sarah Louise Carr pointed and thereafter Down played open attacking camogie, a pleasure to watch with eight Down players scoring from play in the first half.

Playing against a strong breeze in the second half the hosts had to work very hard. They added 1-3 to their tally with Dublin failing to score.

This was a good performance from Down, perhaps the first half was the best 30 minutes of camogie seen in a few seasons. Karen McMullan was exceptional at midfield and the attack looked very sharp. They must, however, return to the drawing board as much harder challenges lie in wait.

Laois and Offaly must be overcome if they wish to progress. The Down management team will want to keep the momentum going and are all too aware of the need to keep focused on the upcoming games. A comment from one of the backroom team best sums up what lies ahead.

“”We are delighted to have another win under our belts however the hard work is only starting. We are acutely aware what we have to do to be involved in the business side of the season. Although we will go home happy today we won’t get carried away with the result.””

Down: Peggy Matthews, Siobhan Savage, Corinna Cunningham, Emma McCormick, Lisa McCrickard, Karen Tinnelly, Karen McMullan (0.4), Orla Maginn (1.1) Catherine McGourty (1.2) Mairin McAleenan (1.2), Sarah Louise Carr (0.2) Nicola Branniff (3.1) Angeline Fearon, Naimh Mulhern (0.1) Emma Keith.
Paula Gribben (35 mins), Naomi Morgan, Sinead Coulter, Maria McNally, Marian Toner (30 Mins), Clare Quinn(30 mins), Kelly O’Higgins (0.1)( 3 mins), Joanne Fitzpatrick, Lisa Hughes, Laura Brennan(45 mins), Grainne McCann.

Dublin: Hannah McInerney, Grainne Ryan, Niamh Garrahan, Tara Corrigan, Jenny Russell, Aoife O’Leary, Jane Nolan, Rachel Costello(0.3), Roisin Murphy Aisling Fogarty, Mairi Moynihan(0.1), Eva McNicholas, Niamh Drummond, Leagh West, Amy Murphy (0.1).
Lisa McKenna, Gail McGuigan, Rachel Noctor, Miriam Tworney, Hannah Larnon, Nathalie Behan, Emer Keenan Lucan, Naimh Burns, Sorcha Meaghar, Lisa May, Stephanie Carthy, Claire Gillian, Aoife Kelly.

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