Impressive Beatty sets Down on the road to league victory

Impressive Beatty sets Down on the road to league victory

12 February 2025

A FLURRY of first half goals sent Down out of reach as they secured their third win from three games against Donegal at Ballycran on Sunday.

Rónán Beatty was handed his first start due to a Daithí Sands injury during the week and he certainly made an impression, hitting two goals and a point after setting up Chris Egan for the opening goal. 

He also provided assist for another couple of scores and was the obvious choice for player of the match.

Beatty was one of five changes from the previous week’s game against Derry, while the management used the half-time cushion of 3-7 to 0-7 to bring several other substitutes into the game.

The changes resulted in a less than fluid second half from Down, but the job was essentially complete at that stage and Rónán Sheehan will be more than happy with his side, who are still yet to concede a goal this season.

Their winning form has set them up nicely for their trip to face the only other unbeaten team, Meath, next time out.

Down did not experience the start they would have wanted and trailed 0-2 to 0-3 until it all changed in the 18th minute, when Beatty picked out Egan for the opening goal of the contest.

A point from Tom McGrattan was the encouragement Down required after sending eight shots wide of the posts and from there, Sheehan’s men kicked on.  

From the Donegal poc out, Matt Conlon collected the sliotar from the Donegal poc out and sent Beatty through for his first goal. 

McGrattan and Phelim Savage each pointed, before Dónal Hughes found Beatty for his second and Down’s third major of the game.

The home side pushed on after the break, stretching the lead to 11 and 12 points on a few occasions. 

However, Donegal showed a dogged spirit in their attempt to ignite a comeback and they were presented with a chance when the referee awarded a 59th minute penalty. 

Goalkeeper Luke White stepped up and, with a chance to get his side’s game back on track, fired wide of Stephen Kith’s goal.

Late points from McIntyre, Gilmore and Jack O’Loughlin gave the visitors a lift, but the goal deficit was enough for Down to protect their perfect start to the campaign.

Down: S Keith, M Conlan, T Murray, G Hughes, M Fisher, L Savage, C Taggart, D Hughes, P Savage, F Turpin, E Sands, C Egan, R Beatty, T McGrattan, D Toner.

Subs: P Óg McCrickard, B Trainor, O MacManus, N McFarland, M Dorrian.

Donegal: L White, O Kelly, M Donaghue, C McDermott, C O’Grady, J O’Loughlin, C Finn, B McIntyre, G Gilmore, S McVeigh, L McKinney, D Cullen, C Gartland, S Ward, JC McGee.

Subs: P Kelly, R Campbell, C Bradley, R Hilferty.