Braniff accuracy leads Down into hurling decider

Braniff accuracy leads Down into hurling decider

10 July 2013

DOWN booked their place in the Ulster SHC final with a six-point victory over Derry in the replayed semi-final at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh, on Sunday.

Paul Braniff and Donal Hughes were in good scoring form for the winners who now advance to a final date against Antrim.

Paul Sheehan, James Coyle and Braniff registered early points for Down while Liam Hinphey got Derry off the mark.

Aaron Kelly scored the game’s only goal in the first half, but still Derry trailed by 1-5 to 0-12 at the half-time whistle.

The Oak Leaf County were forced to play the second half with 14-men after Kelly received his marching orders towards the end of the opening period.

Despite their numerical advantage, Down didn’t have it all their own way in the second half and only outscored their opponents by 13 points to 11.

The Ulster Council has now acceded to Down’s request to have their Ulster SHC final against Antrim deferred by a few weeks.

The final, which was due to take place in Celtic Park next Sunday, has been put back after the Christy Ring Cup champions played seven games in as many weeks.

“We would be hoping for the final to be at the end of July or some time in August and, sure, they need a break away from me!” Down manager Gerard Monan said.

“It has been a long trip. We have been at it since November. It has been a great year, one we will never forget, and it is not finished yet.

“We have another final to look forward to but, just at the minute, the players need a break, a few weeks away, get in some time to themselves.

“With so many games in the last six or seven weeks, they have not even had the chance really to take in the achievement of winning the Christy Ring Cup, so with one thing or another, they have earned a few weeks’ rest before the Ulster final.”

Final score: Down 0-25 Derry 1-16.

Down: S. Keith, M. Conlon, P. Flynn, P. Hughes, F. Conway, C. Woods, M. Ennis, D. Hughes (0-5), E Clarke, K. McGarry (0-2), P. Braniff (0-12), P. Sheehan (0-1), D. Toner, G. Johnson, J. Coyle (0-3). Subs: M. Turley (0-1) for Toner, J. McCusker (0-1) for McGarry, B. Nicholson for Conlon, L. McMullan for Coyle, C. Hughes for Ennis.

Derry: D. McDermott, D. McCloskey, P. Kelly, J. McCloskey, R. McCloskey, L. Hinphey, M. O’Hagan, O. McCloskey, K. Hinphey (0-2), B. Rodgers (0-1), A. Grant (0-1), T. McCloskey (0-2), P. Cleary, B. Quigley, A. Kelly (1-0). Subs: M. Craig (0-3) for Quigley, P. Henry (0-7) for Cleary, S. McBride for Rodgers.