The Downs take title with strong display

The Downs 4-11, St Joseph's 1-6

A fine team performance from Martin Murtagh’s black and amber side saw The Downs take the Westmeath LGFA Division 2 title with twelve points to spare against St Joseph’s in the overcast summer’s day in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday afternoon last.

The first of two finals on the day pitted the regular championship contenders from the N4 against the side who achieved a rare double-promotion from junior to senior in two seasons. On the day, it was Beth Maguire’s excellent trio of goals which helped her side to overcame the challenge of the Streamstown side.

A minute’s silence was held pre-game in memory of the late John O’Mahony. The Mayo native was at the helm for The Downs men’s side in recent years. The game began with a fine score from Michelle Bohan in the first minute before Sinéad Robbins replied in kind with a well-placed free. How things might have gone if Aoife Keegan had scored – the midfielder seeing her effort crash back off the crossbar. From then on, it was a case of The Downs running game coming good. Two perfectly executed frees from the powerful boot of Britney McNamee came either end of Bohan’s point. Beth Maguire hit her first soon after to extend the lead out to three, 0-5 to 0-2 heading to the quarter-hour mark.

Edwina Scally pulled off a fine save to deny Bohan a goal but her side continued to look second-best in most areas and were outnumbered in their attacks as The Downs mopped up much loose ball. Ciara Faulkner also had to be at her best the other end to keep Joseph’s shooters out. The crucial moments of the contest came within a couple of moments of each other. With time nearly up in the first-half, Beth Maguire hammered home her first goal with the left foot. Soon after, Bohan’s powerful effort was too much for Scally to keep out and at the break those green flags helped The Downs load 2-5 to 0-3.

Caoilinn Elliffe goaled for the Streamstown side in the opening minute after the restart, taking a wonderful pass from Aoife Keegan to set it up. Mary Lynam and McNamee (free) replied as the green and gold just could not offer much by way of a comeback. Although Robbins (frees) and Elliffe did try and drag their side into it, things were as good as done when Maguire saw her 43rd minute free from distance bounce to the net via the underside of the bar. Francesca Walsh had a fine game for the winners and her three points in the final quarter really kept the tempo going. Lucy Power added one for herself also. The Downs finished with fourteen players but still found time to add another goal. Maguire finishing her hat-trick thanks to a fine turnover from Walsh and a lovely pass inside from substitute Aisling Egerton.

Niamh Nolan accepted the cup from Westmeath LGFA Chairperson, Geraldine Giles.

Scorers: - The Downs: B Maguire 3-1 (1 goal from a free), M Bohan 1-2, F Walsh, B McNamee (frees) 0-3 each, L Power, M Lynam 0-1 each.

St Joseph’s: S Robbins 0-7 (4 frees), C Elliffe 1-1.

The Downs: Ciara Faulkner; Shannon Liston, Emily McNamee, Lucy Power; Niamh Nolan, Aoife Rowan, Gillian Ferguson; Francesca Walsh, Andrea Coleman; Mary Lynam, Beth Maguire, Annie McDonald; Britney McNamee, Niamh Rowan, Michelle Bohan. Subs used: Amy Dagg for Liston (29), Isabelle Walsh for Coleman (43), Aisling Egerton for McDonald (50), Emma Murtagh for Lynam (60+2).

St Joseph’s: Edwina Scally; Clíona McCormack, Orla Robbins, Ellie Conway; Joyce Conway, Roisin Killian, Kayla McDonnell; Karen Keegan, Aoife Keegan; Lauryn McDonnell, Caoilinn Elliffe, Claire Conlon; Síle Kearney, Sinéad Robbins, Niamh Kearney. Subs used: Jenny Barrett for McCormack (16), Keelin Robbins for O Robbins (36), Laura Conlon for N Kearney (43), Molly Russell for Conlon (44), Emer Killian for S Kearney (58).

Referee: Paul McCaughey.