​Down secure third straight win at home to the Rossies

Back to back away wins had seen Down move up to joint leaders of Division 3 as they went into Sunday’s game against Roscommon.

Colm Donnelly’s Down side have been in fine form since the start of their league campaign. An opening day draw against Louth was followed with wins at Laois and Clare but Down knew they would have to be at their very best against another form team as unbeaten Roscommon were the opposition at Cherryvale in Belfast.

After missing the last two matches through injury, Down were bolstered with the return of Niamh King. The Castlewellan forward was soon in the action winning a free that lead to an early goal. Eimear Fitzpatrick took the free quickly and as the ball headed toward goal it took a wicked deflection off a Roscommon defender and ended up in the net.

Down look to have found another gear from last year. Their attacking play at times has been spectacular racking up seven goals in their last outing alone, but it was the defensive work that was impressive in the early stages of the first half. Some quality tackling and hard work especially from Sands and Loudon kept Roscommon scoreless for the first 20 minutes while Hicks and Doherty both pointed, adding to the early Down goal extending the lead to five.

Abbey Curren did get the visitors off the mark converting a patient build up passage of play for Roscommon, but that was cancelled out with Laoise Duffy putting over. Duffy was unlucky not to add a goal soon after. A great save from Roscommon keeper Caoimhe O Reilly denying the Down Captain a great goal after the Bredagh forward had powered past three Roscommon defenders.

Fitzpatrick did get a point from the resulting 45, after she cleverly worked the ball short, got the return, before sailing the ball over just inside the two-point mark.

Roscommon converted a free, but again Down responded well. Eva Hicks finished off a smart hand pass move that had cut open the Roscommon defence allowing Hicks the chance to put over with her left foot.

Down were well in control leading 1-5 to 0-2; but that quickly changed. Roscommon midfielder Abbey Curren did well to hold off two Down defenders to force her way on to goal. Her strong finish found the bottom corner of the net and brought the visitors right back into the game. The gap was further reduced when Roscommon turned over the following kickout and pointed.

Down whom had been in total control now found themselves only two ahead. To their credit, Down didn't drop the heads or work rate and finished the half strongly. Firstly, with Fitzpatrick and then King putting over after a great turnover by midfielder Katie Howlett.

Howlett was one of three Warrenpoint players to start for Down and is a testament to how well they are developing players for the County.

Referee Antony Campbell soon blew his whistle after that score to see the half finish 1-7 to 1-3 in Down’s favour.

The rain that started early in the first half turned into a monsoon for the second, so it was a credit to both sides that so much quality football was on display.

Niamh Edgar got Down rolling in the second half. After a long run she steered the ball over with a lovely, cushioned finish. Edgar then won a free that Fitzpatrick put over with ease. Down and Roscommon then traded frees leaving the score 1-10 to 1-4 in Down’s favour.

Again, Down were in the ascendancy and pushing forward. The width of the post saved Roscommon from conceding another goal, and in truth Down probably should have taken their points rather than going for goal as several chances went by.

These missed chances came back to haunt the Mourne ladies. A sloppy mistake in the Down defence gifted a chance to Lauren Shanagher. The Northern Harps forward made no mistake in front of goal and buried the ball past Bradley to bring Roscommon within three of Down.

Another attack from Roscommon on the right saw a dangerous ball played across the Down area, Lennon collected the ball up and put over to reduce the gap to two.

Roscommon were pushing forward now, but full back Orlagh Blaney did well to win the ball and bring it out of danger. A few quick passes found Niamh King in space, as she put a lovely smooth finish over the bar from distance with a real bit of quality.

With time running out another converted free by Fitzpatrick gave Down the safety net of a four-point lead. Well into added time a breach by Down allowed Roscommon to convert a free with the last kick of the match.

A well-deserved 1-15 to 2-6 win for Down against a quality Roscommon side, and continues the unbeaten start for Down, who on this display will be a real contender for the Division Three title.

MATCH STATS

Down: C Bradley; N Loudon, O Blaney, E Sands; N Edgar (0-1), C McCreanor, N McClory; M Doherty (0-1), K Howlett; N King (0-2), E.Fitzpatrick (0-5), L Duffy (c) (0-1); E Quinn, N Rice, E Hicks (0-2).

Roscommon: C O’Reilly; A McGrath, A Connaughton, M Macken; S Wynne, E Irwin, M McKeon; A Curran, R Cox; N Watson, K Nolan, N Feeney; A Hanley, R Lennon, C Lennon (c).