Football

Down canter into Ulster final

DOWN booked their spot in the NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Championship Final with an emphatic 3-18 to 0-10 semi-final victory over Antrim in Portglenone yesterday

The Mourne girls started brightly and were three points up after 10 minutes with Niamh Mallon and Catherine McGourty hitting over, as Emma McMullan raised the white flag for Antrim from the placed ball.

The midfield pairing of Aoife Keown and Lisa McPolin, supported well by Paula Gribben and Karen McMullan, saw Down begin to dominate the game. McGourty and Mallon ran directly into the Antrim back-line which resulted in further scores.

Antrim responded once again through captain Emma McMullan, the Loughgiel player caused Down defence problems throughout the game. Sarah Mcnicholl and Una Mcnaughton both fought well in the Saffrons back-line but they could not stop the powerful Down forward line.

Down manager Alastair McGilligan was happy with the way his side bounced back from last weekend's national League Division Two final defeat to Cork.

"I am very pleased with the result and with the performance the girls put in. I couldn't have asked for more from them. To bounce back with a result like this after last weekend's disappointment is testament to the players."