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IT WAS a good day for the Carr family yesterday with Dad Ross guiding Down to a narrow two-point National League Division Three football win over Roscommon at Hyde Park, while his daughters Sara Louise and Fionnuala made history with the Mourne County taking the National League Division Three Camogie title with only the minimum to spare over Laois, 0-15 to 2-8 following a tense contest at Donaghmore Ashbourne.

This was a first-class performance by the Northern ladies who will move up to Division Two in 2010. There was a mix-up with the scoreboard in the final quarter, but both teams agreed with referee Joe Kennedy’s tally following a nail-biting finish.

Down, after playing with the wind in the opening half held a 0-7 to 1-1 lead at the changeover, but with Laois emerging strong in the second half they had their work cut out. The Laois goal from Sarah Cuddy put her team in a formidable position at the break.

However, Catherine McGourty brought her A-game, chipping in with a massive 11 points tally (four from play), and with centre back Lisa McCrickard and full back Fionnuala Carr rock solid, they withstood the pressure when the O’Moore County rallied with a second green flag from Sarah Ann Fitzgerald.After the game, Down manager Joe Baldwin said: “Catherine was outstanding today, she has been very committed this season and it’s nice to see her getting rewarded for her dedication.”

“It’s great to win, we haven’t had any silverware in a while. We’ve got a lot of new players on the team and a lot of young players so it’s great for them,” said Mairin MacAleenan.

Baldwin hopes that his sides win will inspire them to greater things, “Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone for the Championship. We know that we still have a lot to do and a few things to work on but we’re delighted with the win,” he said.

Only one game was played in Division 2 on Saturday, as Clare could not field against Derry meaning the Oak Leaf girls picked up another two points. One senior Derry player described the league as ‘a joke’ as Derry have completed their programme having secured five points, but only played two games – one a draw with Antrim in atrocious conditions and the other a defeat to Tipperary.. Hardly the stuff of championship preparation.

Antrim had a comfortable win over Tipperary which ensures them at least a place in the play-offs. Captain Jane Adams scored nine points – three of them from play. Emma and Grace McMullan were both impressive once again scoring three and two points respectively.

Meanwhile, Kildare won promotion to Division Three following their 3-7 to 1-10 Division Four victory over Westmeath in the curtain-raiser also at Donaghmore Ashbourne.

President Joan O’Flynn had to contend with her big match day nerves before presenting her first trophy of the year to her adopted county. Westmeath came into the decider with a win over the Lilywhites earlier in the league, but in a keen contest, Kildare managed to hold out for their three point triumph despite intense pressure in the closing 10 minutes.

Kildare got off the mark with three first half goals that yielded them a 3-4 to 0-4 interval lead. The impressive Susie O’Carroll at wing forward, Ciara Tallon and Cliona McSweeney, they all found the target in the 2nd, 15th and 25th minute. While the forward line was on target up front, the Kildare defence was staunch, in particular the experienced Melanie and Reitin Treacy and Niamh Breen in the corner.

However, a goal from Joanne Walsh six minutes after the restart put Westmeath right back in contention and with Dinagh Loughlin in fine point scoring form the Lake County set about reducing the margin.

O’Carroll scored Kildare’s final point on 50 minutes, and for the remainder of the game goalkeeper Tanya Johnson and her rearguard had to withstand huge pressure as Westmeath closed the gap to three. But, Kildare held out for the trophy in a tight finish.