Sligo ladies found theirfirst-half dominanceoverruled in a tensesecond half as Down foughtback to almost claim victory inKevinsfort last Sundayafternoon.

Despite a hefty eight-point gap atthe break, Sligo saw their leadgradually diminishing as Downfound more power and fluidity andbegan to take scores with ease.Down were first to score after afree was quickly pointed by LisaMorgan in the first minute.

Sligoresponded with Noelle Gormleykicking over a free in the secondminute and Down had barely sentthe ball out the field when StephanieO’ Reilly was clumsily brought tothe ground after powering straightfor goal, the referee instantlyawarding a penalty.

Down goalkeeperKerry-Ann Magee wasunfortunate not to keep out NicoleFowley’s thundering kick, the ballrebounding into the back of the neta great boost to Sligo with just fourminutes on the clock.

Sligo were eager to extend theirlead and wonderful forward passingset up between Noelle Gormley andSiobhain Melvin saw them bothscore a point each in the space of aminute. Sinead McTiernan thenpointed another after Elise Coddspotted her free. Down were havingproblems clearing the ball into theforward line but a good ball by KateMcKay found Chara Laverty whotook a fine point in the seventhminute. Clara Fitzpatrick wasimproving Down’s midfieldpossession with some good passing,however the Sligo defenders werestopping the forwards makingattacking runs, with AmandaMoystyn and Ruth Goodwin lookingimpressive.

Good work by Jackie Mulligan forSligo found the elusive Stephanie O’Reilly who quickly passed to SineadMcTiernan for another Sligo goal inthe 23rd minute, Sligo’s skilfulpassing causing Down’s defenceserious problems. A minute laterSligo’s defenders were caughtnapping when a great ball to AineHardy found Orla Fagan free, thefull-forward leaving Emma Cullenhelpless at stopping her goal.

Sligo were still the better team inthis half with Bernice Beirne, EliseCodd and Siobhain O’ Sullivanrunning riot on their opponents,Elise Codd kicking over a fine pointin the 27th minute. Stephanie O’Reilly was bounding down on goalsoon after but Niamh Canavanintercepted. A free on SiobhainMelvin was pointed by Siobhain O’Sullivan in the 29th minute. NicoleFowley was unlucky not to addanother goal for the home side butKerry-Ann Magee was adamant tokeep the ball out, the goal-keeperexcellently stopping a certain goal.A foul on Noelle Gormley in the 30thminute was pointed to make it 2-7 to1-2 at the break with Sligo lookingset for a win.

Sligo started the second halfsimilar to the first with NoelleGormley seeking out Siobhain O’Sullivan who sent the ball incheswide of the post. Bernice Beirnesent a great ball seconds later intoGormley but Down were awarded afree out, the point eventuallycoming for the home side whenSiobhain Melvin was fouled - aneasy score for Gormley to tip over inthe 34th minute putting them ninepoints ahead.

Down weren’t giving up thoughand Orla Fagan kicked a strikingpoint in the 36th minute after edgingpast the Sligo defence. Melvinresponded for Sligo with anotherfine score and a minute later NoelleGormley added another, wonderfulpassing between her and NicoleFowley tricking their markers. KylaTrainer hit over three points fromfrees for Down and they hadanother score from Emma Kaneimproving with a few cleverswitches from the bench bringingfresh legs to the game.

Bernice Beirne took a short 45 inthe forty fourth minute which foundSiobhain Melvin who sent the ballwide. Down appeared to gainmomentum as Sligo began to hit anumber of wides, with points fromOrla Fagan and substitute CiaraToorley in the 53rd minute leavingjust four between them.

Sligo were tense at this stage anda Down goal seemed inevitable. Itcame in the 54th minute whenmidfielder Kyla Trainor wallopedthe ball into the net to leave a singlepoint in it. The Down revival wascomplete when Orla Fagan levelledin the 59th minute.

SLIGO: Emma Cullen, FionaMaye, Ruth Goodwin, AmandaMoystyn, Ciara Doyle, CammieKennedy, Jackie Mulligan, BerniceByrne, Siobhain O’ Sullivan (0-1)(f),Sinead McTiernan (1-1), StephanieO’ Reilly, Elise Codd (0-1), NicoleFowley (1-0) (pen), Noelle Gormley(0-5) (3f), Siobhain Melvin (0-2). Subsused: Tracey O’ Hara, Aine Gormley.

DOWN: Kerry-Ann Magee,Colleen Magee, Niamh Canavan,Ciara O’ Higgins, Hannah Murray,Kathryn Boden, Ciara McArdle,Kyla Trainor (1-3) (3f), CiaraFitzpatrick, Kate McKay, AineHardy, Sinead Fagan, Chara Laverty(0-1), Lisa Morgan (0-1) (f), OrlaFagan (1-3). Subs used: Emer Kane(0-1),Ciara Toorley (0-1), AineMcCarey

Referee: Terence McShane(Donegal).