The Downs claim Senior 'B' title over brave Killucan
The Downs 4-9, Killucan 1-3
By Darragh Fallon
The Downs claimed the Westmeath LGFA Senior B title over a brave Killucan side in heavy underfoot conditions on Sunday afternoon in Rochfortbridge. From the first minute with a point scored by Brittany McNamee from a free, The Downs were never behind and produced a 60-minute performance full of panache and creativity, much to the delight of The Downs management and supporters.
Within the first moments of the game, The Downs had implemented a running game which was to be a pattern throughout. The first point from play arrived in the 13th minute with a fine passing move that broke down and was recycled superbly by Andrea Coleman to Brittany McNamee, who doubled her tally with a nice score.
Continuing their period of dominance, The Downs scored the first major of the day in the 16th minute with a final pass from Isabelle Walsh to Beth Maguire, which was to be the first of her goals for the day. The following minute, another fine flowing move from The Downs was also finished by Brittany McNamee to move the scoreboard further.
In the 18th minute, Killucan began to find their form and came roaring back into the game with 1-1 from play finished by Sian Weir Hall. The final pass from Kathy Doyle was taken superbly and finished in clinical fashion to take the game to 1-3 to 1-1 in favour of The Downs.
The following period was a tight tussle mainly between the 45 yard lines and the next score was to come in the 27th minute with the second of Beth Maguire’s goals for The Downs. A fine move involving Gillian Ferguson, Andrea Coleman and Niamh Rowan released Beth Maguire, who crucially extended the lead to five points with less than five minutes to half time.
Killucan then followed up with the final score of the half a minute later from Fiona Leavy after fine work by Orla Quinn to take the score to 2-3 to 1-2 with the second half to come.
A worrying moment for The Downs was to come before the first whistle when Brittany McNamee was yellow carded for a robust tackle on Michelle Doyle, for which The Downs attacker took a place on the sideline for 10 minutes.
With a stiff breeze to face in the second half, the Killucan management made two changes at half time to bring in Anna Johnson and Lauren Hickey for Rebekah Gough.
Although with a numerical disadvantage, The Downs made the early going in the second half and scored 1-2 from play within the first six minutes. Annie McDonald and Beth Maguire pointed within 60 seconds of each other and crucially McDonald again scored with a fine goal.
An unfortunate injury for a Killucan defender just before McDonald received the ball ensured she was one on one with Sarah Kiernan and the Killucan netminder could not keep out a fine strike.
Killucan were now struggling to maintain a foothold in the game but Fiona Leavy scored a free in the ninth minute of the second half following a foul on Caoimhe Brady to take the score to 3-5 to 1-3 in favour of The Downs.
With the teams returned to 15 a side, the next score was to come in the 17th minute from Annie McDonald following a flowing four-person move that began from a kickout. Another fine team move from the black and ambers a minute later was ruled out for a square ball but by then, The Downs were firmly in control.
In the 23rd minute the game was effectively put away following another trademark move involving Mary Lynam and Andrea Coleman that was again finished by Brittany McNamee.
As subs were introduced in the closing minutes, further scores for The Downs from a Brittany McNamee free, another fine Annie McDonald score from play and one final free from Brittany McNamee brought the scoring to a close.
The Downs Shauna Conneely; Ciara Dolan, Amy Dagg, Shannon Liston; Emily McNamee, Aoife Rowan, Gillian Ferguson; Niamh Nolan, Andrea Coleman; Isabelle Walsh, Annie McDonald (1-3 from play), Mary Lynam; Beth Maguire (2-2 from play), Niamh Rowan, Brittany McNamee (1-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: Emma Murtagh (for Gillian Ferguson), Katie Kearns (for Shannon Liston), Aoibheann Flynn (for Andrea Coleman), Sarah Carty (for Ciara Dolan), Ellen Carty (for Mary Lynam), Molly Goldsberry (for Beth Maguire), Katie Murtagh, Ann Marie Corroon, Aine Doyle.
Killucan Sarah Kiernan; Clodagh Carr, Hannah Borthwick, Neala Weir Hall; Hannah Kilmartin, Caoimhe Brady, Michelle Doyle; Aisling Doyle, Orla Quinn; Kathy Doyle, Fiona Leavy (0-2, 0-1 free), Niamh Brady; Cailian Raleigh, Rebekah Gough, Sian Weir Hall (1-1 from play). Subs: Anna Johnson (for Niamh Brady), Dayna Duffy (for Hannah Kilmartin), Ellen Monaghan (for Clodagh Carr), Katie Muldoon, Lauren Hickey (for Rebekah Gough), Lucy Kennedy, Rebecca O’Neill, Ruth O’Connor, Emma O’Connor.
Referee: Jim Rock (Coralstown/Kinnegad).
Examiner's Eye on the game
Player of the Match
Niamh Rowan (The Downs): In a game where three of her colleagues scored heavily, the outstanding endeavour and energy of Niamh Rowan was a joy to watch. Niamh covered every inch of the Rochfortbridge pitch and was always willing to receive and carry the ball throughout the game.
Score of the Match
While other scores may have arrived at more crucial times, the point scored by Annie McDonald in the 17th minute of the second half was the outstanding score of the game. Beginning with a fine kickout to find an open player on the right side of their attack, The Downs moved the ball directly and accurately and found McDonald, who was not wanting to provide the final touch.
Ref watch
A quiet day for Jim Rock and his team. The only moment of contention arrived with the yellow card; however, that was the correct decision and Jim ensured the game flowed as well as the conditions allowed.
Entertainment value - 8/10
Killucan battled hard throughout but could not keep The Downs running game contained for the full hour. Fine individual displays on both teams considering the time of year and lots of potential in both sides for the coming year.