Orla Swail's late goal was the catalyst in Down beating Carlow 1-09 to 0-08 to reach the Junior Football Championship Final in what was a thrilling contest in a wet and windy Parnell Park

There was some excellent football on display this afternoon despite the horrendous conditions in Dublin, as both teams adapted their game-plans well, forcing mistakes from each other, whilst showing great skill to perform under pressure.

Carlow got off to a bright start, scoring two early points in the third and fourth minute through Edel Hayden and Sinead Hayden. The Hayden’s took early advantage of the adverse weather conditions to win back the ball in dangerous positions, and were able to punish Down, who were experiencing a slower start to the game. Carlow’s early points seemed to spark Down into life, however, as scores from Eimear Fitzpatrick and Natasha Ferris in the fifth minute levelled the scoring instantly, Carlow’s lead lasting just two minutes.

Aimee O’Higgins was on hand one minute later to score Down’s third point in two minutes, now taking control of the game. It was a brilliant score from O’Higgins, who produced a powerful run to distance herself from her defender, before calmly converting a difficult shot through the posts.

More scores from Ferris and Fitzpatrick would give Down a three-point advantage in the 15^th minute in what was a good ten minutes to respond to going two points behind. Down were beginning to dominate the game, and looked to add to the scoreboard, however, Carlow responded well to squash the momentum Down had gained in this opening period.

Late change Rachel Sawyer was lively in this first half, scoring in the 15^th and 26^th minute to reduce Down’s deficit to just two points, her scores separated by another Natasha Ferris score.

Carlow made a bright start to the second half, scoring a point through Rachel Sawyer again, this time inside a minute of the restart as they looked to close the deficit as soon as possible. Cliodhna Ni She was on target in the 37^th minute, with Sawyer converting again in the 40^th minute to tie the scores with twenty minutes to play. Sawyer had a brilliant game for Carlow, scoring four points, keeping Carlow within reach of Down for the majority of the game.

When Meghan Doherty was shown a yellow card in the 53^rd minute, and with Carlow playing with all the momentum, it looked as if the tide might turn in Carlow’s favour. However, the game was ultimately decided in the 55^th minute when substitutes Kate McKay and Orla Swail combined to score a goal for Down. McKay produced a powerful run through the centre of the Carlow defence, drawing the defenders, before then offloading the ball to Swail, who powered her shot to the right of Carlow goalkeeper Nicole Hanley.

Carlow will be left disappointed and frustrated with a refereeing decision in the 50^th minute, as Cliodhna Ni She scored a goal from a free-in, only for it to be disallowed for apparently encroaching too far from where the free was given. Carlow argued that the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball and thus the goal should stand, but the goal was disallowed and play continued. What a momentum shift that would have been!

Heartbreak for Carlow yet again, who bow out in the semi-finals again this year. Delight for Down, who progress to the final of the Junior Football Championship.