Sport

Northern Ireland record consolation win over Isle of Man after missing out on World Cup qualification

Goalkeeper Olivia McDonald battles for possession for the NI Warriors against Isle of Man
Goalkeeper Olivia McDonald battles for possession for the NI Warriors against Isle of Man Goalkeeper Olivia McDonald battles for possession for the NI Warriors against Isle of Man

WARRIORS stalwart Michelle Davidge brought the curtain down on her international career as Northern Ireland finished their World Cup qualifying campaign by beating Isle of Man 61-32.

Their hopes of being at Cape Town 2023 had ended with devastating defeats against hosts Scotland and Wales, leaving yesterday’s match with the Manx women as a dead rubber.

With nothing resting on the outcome, captain Caroline O’Hanlon had returned home for Carrickcruppen’s Armagh Senior Championship final replay in Crossmaglen.

It was the first competitive international that the 38-year-old has missed since 2009 but Elaine Rice’s side were always like to win without her against improving Isle of Man.

Isle of Man had already guaranteed themselves fourth place by edging the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and will have been pleased to lose by less than double scores.

Carryduff gaelic footballer Ciara Crosbie, who plays for English Premier League champions Oldham, led the way with 39 goals from 45 shots as the Warriors won each quarter.

Long-serving vice-captain Fionnuala Toner, who had won her 100th cap in Friday night’s 65-38 loss against Scotland, led the team in O’Hanlon’s absence and also played centre.

Head coach Elaine Rice had made three changes to the starting seven from Saturday’s 60-34 defeat to top seeds Wales, with Frances Keenan and Orlaith Rogers dropping out.

Edinburgh-based goalkeeper Olivia McDonald, the 34-year-old Davidge and Crosbie came into the run-on team for the Warriors who had a tough job lifting themselves for this game.

Playing again only 18 hours after their dream of being at next summer’s finals in South Africa had been dashed, the Warriors soon took control and led 17-8 after the opening period.

They extended that advantage to 32-16 at half-time, when Georgie McGrath, who had celebrated her 21st birthday during the tournament, replaced Rachel Duckers at goal attack.

Sarah Russell, who had replaced O’Hanlon in NI’s registered squad, came on late in the third quarter to win her first cap alongside Leeds Rhinos star Michelle Magee at the back.

Keenan took over from Davidge, formerly Drayne until her wedding at the end of August, but the former Antrim footballer still got to finish her international career on the court.

The versatile mid-courter, who has played for four British SuperLeague franchises during her career, came on again during the last quarter at wing defence for Niamh Cooper.

Rogers nailed nine of her 10 shots after being brought on at the final interval on a day when NI’s conversion rate was satisfactory but they were wasteful in other regards.