Fermanagh went into this game as reigning Ulster Champions but were also massive underdogs, after a dismal league campaign. In a repeat of last year’s Ulster final, the Mourne ladies were pushed all the way as decisions went against Fermanagh in Aughnamullen, on Saturday afternoon.

Two disallowed goals and a sin bin to Aisling Moane in the first half scuppered Fermanagh’s chances of overturning Down. However, all is not lost as Fermanagh have a second chance to secure their place in the final when they take on Antrim in another semi-final in just over a week.

In an end-to-end game of football, Fermanagh enjoyed their fair share of possession in the first half. Caroline Little, who registered 2-04 of Fermanagh’s total, got their first goal on 10 minutes after she converted a penalty. The second goal didn’t come until the 28th minute when Little once again tucked the ball into the net.

Fermanagh’s two points in the first half came from Shauna Hamilton and Cassie Cadden. The big talking point of the first half was on 20 minutes when Aisling Moane was deemed to have charged into her opponent and was sent to the bin, by Cavan referee Yvonne Duffy.

Down’s Sinead McNamee, Lisa Morgan, Kyla Trainor, Ciara Fitzpatrick and Aileen Pyers all registered points as the Mourne ladies went in trailing by two points at the break, on a score line of 0-06 to 2-02.

When the second half resumed, Fermanagh were back to their full quota of players with Moane back on the field. Down opened up the scoring with a point from midfielder Ciara Fitzpatrick before Aisling Moane responded with a score. Ten minutes of stalemate followed with both defences working hard.

Aileen Pyers broke the deadlock with a free and minutes later Fermanagh had the chance to extend their lead to three points. A great catch by Sharon Little started the move, playing in Noelle Connolly who fed the ball to Caroline Little. Her attempt to fist the ball over the bar, dipped low and despite Fermanagh claims that the ball hit the keeper’s arm, it was disallowed by the referee, after it was deemed to be a fisted goal.

Little did expand their lead to two points on the 47th minute but points from McNamee and Pyers levelled the game with ten minutes remaining.

There was more hard luck for Fermanagh minutes later, when a move involving substitute Marcella Monahan and Noelle Connolly played in Maura McDonald who palmed the ball to the net. However, the Cavan official called a square ball.

With Fermanagh still absorbing a second ruling against them, Down caught them on the counter-attack. Ciara Fitzpatrick ran 50 metres, carving open the Fermanagh defence and shot to the net, beating championship debutante Shauna Murphy in goals.

With seven minutes left, Fermanagh trailed by three points and despite the best efforts of Caroline Little who continued to raise the white flag, Down had enough in the talented Aileen Pyers to see off the Erne ladies and march on to an Ulster final.

Fermanagh Manager, Lisa Woods believed the disallowed goals were incorrect decisions. When asked were they fair calls, she said: “Honestly, not from where I was standing! The goal that was claimed to be a square ball, the umpire on the near side where the goal went in said it was a goal but the other umpire disagreed and the referee went with that decision. The other goal; the ball was hit in and the goal keeper got a hand to it, before it went into the net. The referee deemed the keeper didn’t touch it and the goal didn’t stand,” says Woods.

Despite her frustrations, Woods says their performance has given them great confidence ahead of the Antrim game: “There was a massive improvement. I’m really pleased with the overall performance but there is still more in us. Not everyone played to their potential but hopefully the next day we can do that.” Looking ahead to the Antrim game in just over a week, Woods is expecting a tough game but admits they’re buoyed by Saturday’s performance: “Antrim are a good squad, they reached the division four final. I think the girls realise now that the championship is here for the taking. I think the fact that we could’ve beaten them (Down) in the first outing will have a positive effect on the girls.” One concern for Fermanagh ahead of their game with the Saffron’s will be the over reliance on Caroline Little to produce the majority of their scores.

“That’s an area of our game that needs addressed,” says Woods. “Caroline is the main woman out there. We have players who haven’t played county before and whilst they’d take a shot for their club and are doing it in training they’re a bit more reluctant at this level. That’s something we’ll work on and try to bring onto the pitch,” she concludes.