Inspired Down hold off Derry

5 June 2013

CELTIC Park once again proved to be a happy hunting ground for Down as they dumped Derry out of Ulster after a cracking duel.

In a tie that was enthralling from start to finish, the spirit of the epic encounter in 1994 lived on as both sides served up a classic. Thirty two of the 35 scores came from play while 15 different players got on the score sheet.

However, the omens didn’t look good for the Mournemen at half-time. They went in trailing 1-10 to 0-9 as Derry controlled much of the first half.

A completely rejuvenated away side took to the field in the second period and outscored Brian McIver’s men 2-8 to 0-5 to claim a five point victory.

Down were quick to settle with captain Mark Poland and the returning Ambrose Rogers getting on the scoresheet.

Charlie Kielt then exchanged scores with Donal O’Hare as James McCartan’s side took a 0-03 to 0-01 lead after five minutes.

Eoin Bradley’s first score of the afternoon on seven minutes brought the game back to the minimum before Down debutant Niall Madine punched a point. Madine was in receipt of some good work from Benny Coulter and he may be disappointed that he didn’t find the net.

A Benny Heron 45 got Derry back on track, but Kevin McKernan’s opening effort extended Down’s lead by two. Derry began to exert greater control over the game as the rangy James Kielt swung over with his left boot.

On the 20 minute mark Enda Lynn levelled the game. The nifty attacker put the finishing touches to some great work by the dashing Eoin Bradley.

Two quality points from Down followed as Donal O’Hare pointed after a fine solo run while Kevin McKernan glanced over with a swerving shot.

The Oak Leaf county then missed a guilt edged goal chance as Benny Herron snatched at Eoin Bradley’s pass with the goal gaping.

Derry remained unnerved as they raised their game to bag the next three points.

The dangerous Eoin Bradley fisted over before James Kielt glided another exquisite left foot shot over the black spot. Bradley then added his third of the game as he pounced on a poor kick out from Brendan McVeigh.

Niall Madine’s second point on 27 minutes levelled the game at 0-8 apiece.

That man Bradley again was on hand to put his side back in front as he completed his quartet of scores.

James Kielt followed this up with another well taken minor before Celtic Park erupted when Banagher’s Mark Lynch found the net. Yet again Eoin Bradley was the creator as he supplied the pass that allowed Lynch to dispatch to the net.

Down wing back Declan Rooney got a rest from tracking James Kielt as he pointed as injury time approached.

There was time for one last bit of drama. Eoin Bradley fielded a long ball before turning quickly. He showed Benny McArdle a clean pair of heels before his shot was palmed away by Brendan McVeigh. This turned out to be a huge moment in the game.

Whatever James McCartan and his management team said at half-time must have worked wonders.

Down returned to the field as a team possessed as Derry capitulated.

Despite Heron extending the home side’s lead to five from the restart, Down quickly settled and in the following ten minutes had themselves 1-2.

Madine and Poland pointed before sharp shooter Donal O’Hare majored on 44 minutes.

The Burren man was the final piece in a three-man move which saw the ball transferred from Poland to Laverty and then to O’Hare who showed good composure to finish the move off.

James Kielt retorted with a free before Down went on another scoring spree. Two further efforts from O’Hare led to a second goal.

This time it was Mark Poland who rippled the net. Conor Laverty grafted to dispossess Ryan Scott.

The Kilcoo star then offloaded to O’Hare who found Poland who in turn put Down four ahead.

Derry were a mess at this stage as their legs began to tire and their system fell apart. Kalum King and Kevin McKernan were dominating the middle and it was the former who pointed on 55 minutes to increase the advantage to five.

In the next five minute period McIver’s charges reeled off three minor efforts through Kielt, McCallion and Lynch. However, this was their last hurrah as they failed to add to the scoreboard for the rest of the game.

In between this trio of Derry positives, Down hit the post through O’Hare.

With the Mournemen in the ascendancy the inspirational Kevin McKernan strode forward to blast over another two fine endeavours.

Then as the game neared its death, nifty substitute Jerome Johnston ghosted in to convert on his SFC debut.

This put the icing on a memorable comeback which parachutes Down forward to a date with reigning All Ireland champions Donegal.

Derry: E. McNicholl, G. O’Kane, C. McKaigue, R. Scott, C. Kielt (0-1), M. Lynch (1-1), B. McCallion (0-1), P. Bradley, R. Bell, A. McAlynn, J. Kielt (0-5, 1f), E. Lynn (0-1), B. Heron (0-2, 1 ‘45), E. Bradley (0-4), C. Devlin.

Subs: D. Mullan for Bell, E. McGuckin for Devlin, D. Brown for McCallion, B. Gormley for P. Bradley, L. Kennedy for B. Heron.

Down: B. McVeigh, D. McCartan, B. McArdle, R. Boyle, D. Rooney (0-1), P. Turley, K. Quinn, K. King (0-1), K. McKernan (0-4), A. Rogers (0-1), M. Poland (1-2), N. Madine (0-3), D. O’Hare (1-4, 0-2f), B. Coulter, C. Laverty.

Subs: D. Savage for Rogers, R. Mallon for Quinn, J. Johnston (0-1) for Coulter, O. Costello for Poland.

• Man of the match: Mark Poland.

Derry 1-15

Down 2-17

ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL

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