Home » Derry make it four in a row against a defiant Down

Derry make it four in a row against a defiant Down

Derry Retain NWP Recycling Ulster Camogie Senior Championship Crown

Derry 5-12 Down 0-10

Derry and Down faced off once again this year in the 2015 NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Championship Final squaring up in excellent conditions at Swatragh on Sunday last.

Video footage and report from Jerome Quinn.

Down, having been frustrated by their opponents so often in the past were determined to leave as champions and this was reflected in the hunger and intensity of their play from the first whistle. It was Derry however that made more hay than the Mourne girls early on, despite having the lesser possession. Karen Kielt, wearing 15 but sweeping behind her midfield pairing of Maureen Heneghan and the impressive Aine McAllister, drove forward effectively from deep to clip over the first point from play followed by an excellent pointed free from distance.

Kielt was also involved in the first Derry goal which arrived 9 minutes in. A surging run again from deep saw Kielt clip a clever ball over the Down full back line to Mairead McNicholl whose initial effort was superbly blocked down by Mourne ‘Keeper Maria McNally, but with nippy corner forward Dervla O’Kane following up with a low strike there was little McNally could do.

Down’s response was patient and effective. Their dogged work rate coupled with the scoring threat of Catherine McGourty, Sara Louise Carr and Niamh Mallon forced Derry into conceding 7 first half scoreable frees and after a miss apiece from the dead ball both McGourty and Carr found their range bringing Down within 2 points of the Current holders at the break 1-05 to 0-06.

Downs big players stepped up to the mark in the second half and were level within a few minutes of the re-start. Good work from Mallon saw her pick out Sara Louise Carr coming off the shoulder who in turn despatched a fine score from all of 60 yards off the left side for the equaliser. All to play for.

Downs response seemed to shock Derry into finding another gear and after Mary Kelly came deep out the field from her full forward slot to pick up possession she played a delightful cross field pass to the overlapping Kielt who took on two Down defenders before applying the finish that the pass deserved. Another goal shortly after from Kelly herself appeared to knock the stuffing out of Down who were now tiring and coping without on of their team’s engine room Sara Louise Carr who retired late on after an accidental collision with Derry captain Meabh McGoldrick. O’Kane and Mullan tagged another 2 goals for Derry before the close but the 5-12 to 0-10 score line did not reflect the closeness and quality of what was a very entertaining final. Commiserations to a good Down side but Derry must be applauded for their continued drive and success in securing their fourth Ulster title in a row.