Carr points way for Down in NFL

14 March 2012

DOWN produced a brilliant display of fast, open and attacking football to overcome Mayo in this Allianz NFL Division One game in McHale Park, Castlebar, on Sunday.

After their draw with the westerners at the same venue 12 months ago, this latest Down display was most heartening and sets them up for their meeting with All-Ireland champions Dublin in Newry on Sunday.

This second victory in the competition lifts the side into joint third place in the table along with Mayo and Dublin, but they still need at least one more victory to make sure of remaining in the top division for next year.

Mayo suffered a severe, early blow with midfielder Aidan O’Shea being red carded after just nine minutes and they had to play for over an hour with 14 players.

They found it impossible to really get to grips with the pace, power and team work of the Mourne outfit who moved the ball at pace with accuracy.

In a strong Down defence the half back line of Dan Gordon (inset), Aidan Brannigan and Nial McParland, making his senior debut, backed up a brilliant midfield where the returning Ambrose Rogers was back to his brilliant best.

Along with Kalum King they outplayed several Mayo combinations although truth to tell the sending off of Aidan O’Shea left Mayo fighting a losing battle in this area.

Up front Aidan Carr, Conor Maginn, Conor Laverty and Danny Hughes gave the Mayo defence a real testing time with Keith Higgins, Ryan Feeney and Danny Vaughan playing their hearts out in their efforts to contain the fast moving Down attack.

Mayo started well with points from Andy Moran and Conor Mortimer.

Down settled and a brilliant move involving Ambrose Rogers and Conor Laverty saw Conor Maginn flick the ball to the net to give Down a lead they never again lost.

Aidan Carr added a Down point, but Mayo fought back to draw level with points from Alan Dillon and a Conor Mortimer free.

Down then moved up a gear and three points from Aidan Carr frees and one each from play by Conor Maginn and Ambrose Rogers saw Down lead by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time.

Mayo staged a mini-revival early in the third quarter with points from Alan Freeman and Conor Mortimer, but several missed chances were costly at the finish. Aidan Carr and Ambrose Rogers from a 45 increased the Down lead and although Conor Mortimer pointed two frees, Down still led.

The final quarter saw Down again in control with Benny Coulter coming off the subs bench to score two points while Kevin Duffin, who also was sent in as a second half substitute, and Danny Hughes adding points.

Down: B. McVeigh, D. McCartan, C. Garvey, D. Turley, D. Gordon, A. Brannigan, N. McParland, A. Rogers (0-3, 0-1 45), K. King, D. Hughes (0-1), M. Poland, A. Carr (0-5, 0-3 frees), C. Laverty, A. McConville, C. Maginn (1-1). Subs: K. McKernan for Garvey, K. Duffin (0-1) for D. Turley, B. Coulter (0-2) for McConville, P. Turley for Rogers.

Mayo 0-11

Down 1-13

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1

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