Down topped Group 1 in the Ladies Junior Championship, as they overcame Limerick by six points in Newcastle West.

That now sets up a tie between Carlow as Limerick face their old foes in Fermanagh, who knocked them out last year at the same round.

A point was the difference between the sides at the break, but Natahsa Ferris who scored 1-9 in the tie, goaled soon after the restart and Down from that point never saw their lead taken away, 7-23 now for Ferris in her three championship games

Down started well as Natasha Ferris and Laoise Duffy both added early points to build a lead, but Limerick replied through Cathy Mee, but celebrations did not last long as Niamh Scullion pointed Down’s third score in five minutes to restore the two point lead.

But momentum changed in an instance as Limerick threatened in the Down defence, Amy Ryan received a pass and shot for goal, her shot looping over Amy McGivern in the Down goal, dropping into the net to put the home side a point ahead.

Ryan replied to that score with a point a minute later, but Limerick failed to really build on that lead, Ferris with two more frees, tying the game 1-2 to 0-5 after 20 minutes, the first time the teams were level.

Iris Kennelly helped put the Treaty women back ahead after 23 minutes with a well worked score, but Ferris was in fine form, she kicked her fourth point of the tie in the 26th minute, as Down finished the half strong, Aimee O’Higgins putting them ahead before the half hour mark.

A point separated the sides at the break, Limerick with a few wides and plenty of misplaced passes were certainly the side more disappointed at the break, Down were playing with the wind in the first half but did kick a couple of wides themselves.

Down got the deceive score four minutes into the second half, Ferris taking a free that dropped into the net past Carol Bateman, Down moving four points ahead after that goal, 1-7 to 1-3.

Ferris followed that up by scoring two further points as Down came out the better of the two teams in the second half, Kennelly kicked two points to cut down the deficit, but Down were still well in the driving seat.

Eimear Fitzpatrick came off the bench and landed a point before Ferris kept up their scoring form, 1-11 to 1-5, Caoimhe McGrath kicked three late frees to keep Limerick on the board, but Ferris kept up her form, finishing with two more points, a 1-9 haul for the Down full-forward.