The senior ladies footballers of Tipperary secured their third win in-a-row in Division 2 of the Bord Gais National League when they defeated Down on Saturday last in Saval, Co. Down.

These two sides met in the Division 2 final last May when Down came out on top. However a much changed Down side, containing only six of the team that started in that win, had to play second fiddle to the Premier girls on this occasion. Down though started the game very well and despite falling behind to a Gillian O'Brien point were soon dominant and raced into a three-point lead with four unanswered points. They looked set to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute but Kiera Traynor dragged her shot wide.

The game then changed in a dramatic five-minute spell when Tipp managed to score three goals. Gillian O'Brien, who grabbed the crucial goal against Clare the previous week, again raised a green flag and this was soon followed by Barbara Ryan and Patricia Hickey strikes.

Mairead Morrisey and O'Brien added points to put Tipp in a commanding position coming up to half time. They suffered a major blow just before the break when they lost Kelly Hackett, who was playing excellently at midfield, to an ankle injury. She was replaced by the experienced Angie McDermott. At the half time whistle Tipp led 3-3 to 0-4.

Mairead Lutterell replaced debutant Shauna O'Brien at the interval. The second period proved a little dull when compared to the excitement of the first. The game ebbed and flowed with no side really dominating possession. The teams exchanged points, with Tipp scoring four through the impressive Gillian O'Brien(2) and Hickey(2) in response to the home sides' three.

The management made three further substitutions in the final ten minutes with Nancy Ferris, Ann Marie O'Gorman and Ann O'Dwyer coming in for Ryan, Hanley and Hickey respectively. The game petered out to its inevitable conclusion with Tipp running out comfortable nine-point winners.

The full back line of Aoife O'Dwyer, Maeve Corcoran and Samantha Lambert deserve special praise for their resolute defending throughout the game and up front Gillian O'Brien and Patricia Hickey continued their fine form. The team now sits top of the league on points difference and are in a strong position to qualify for the semi finals. Their next outing is this Saturday at home to Meath.