Orla Swail’s second half goal proved the deciding score in a closely fought 2023 TG4 Ladies Junior All Ireland Final, overcoming Limerick by two points.

A game where a goal would also prove the deciding moment, it was closely fought 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, it was level pegging until Swail came off the bench and shot low to the net for the crucial moment.

Limerick missed three goal chances in the first half and will regret their missed shooting chances, while Down with Natasha Ferris at her best notching five points, will savor the win. Ferris finishing on 7-31 (52) for the season, will she scoop the ZuCar Golden Boot award?

Down had plenty of the early possession, knocking it back and forth trying to get an opening in the Limerick backline, one arrived in the second minute but Viv McCormack’s effort drifted to the right and wide of the posts.

Referee Angela Gallagher however awarded Down a free which sharpshooter Natasha Ferris tapped over for the opening score. Limerick rallied back quickly and the dancing footwork of Caoimhe McGrath brought them an opening score.

She stayed on her toes moving from left to right looking to peel off the Down defence, took her chance well curling a beauty on her right boot over the bar from an acute angle. McGrath slotted two frees to follow her opening score and put Limerick ahead 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.

The Mourne County needed a score, the tempo slowed as Limerick started to hold the ball and tried to increase their lead, Ferris landed a second free 16 minutes in, that left one between them but at the other end McGrath had the chance to cancel it out but it drifted a whisker to the left of the upright. Ferris levelled the tie with her first from plat two minutes later.

On the end of a lovely crossfield kick from Deborah Murphy, Roisin Ambrose had the games first goal chance 20 minutes in, her effort rippling the side netting of the Down goal, a matter of inches from restoring their advantage.

Viv McCormack tried to snatch a goal one minute later, a dropping ball into the square flicked goalwards, the waiting hands of Carol Bateman able to put the danger to bed. Another chance at goal in the 22nd minute was spurned by McGrath, Karen O’Leary found her inside but her shot at goal was left and wide.

McGrath would restore the Limerick lead with a third point going into the final five minutes, Aimee O’Higgins and the ever reliant Bryansford sharpshooter Ferris added scores for a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Limerick had a blistering start to the second half as Murphy and O’Leary both added points in the opening three minutes to give the Treaty women a one point lead. Bateman made a stunning save to deny Aoife Brogan a goal chance,

O’Higgins was quick to pounce on a loose ball following an attempt from Laoise Duffy that cracked off the upright, despite plenty of pressure she made zero mistake, levelling the contest once more.

43 minutes into the second half Down hit the crucial score, Orla Swail on the field only a matter of minutes, racing through the Limerick rearguard that was low and hard to the bottom left hand corner past Bateman. Down making them rue those missed goal chances.

Iris Kennelly fresh off the bench made it a two point game inside the final ten minutes of play, but O’Leary saw Yellow and the Shannonsiders had to finish the game with 14. Ferris added her fifth to restore a three point margin, but up from the back Meadhbh Mac Namara pointed for a nervy final minute.

Down passed it around and when the hooter sounded raced onto the field, joy and jubilation as they return to the Intermediate Grade after a year playing Junior, Limerick deflated and now need to pick themselves up for 2024.