Comprehensive defeat for demoralised Down

2 March 2016

THERE was no repeat of the famous battles of the bygone era as Kerry easily overcame Down on what turned out to be a dark day for football in the Mourne county.

The Kingdom were coming north after having lost their first two games and they were in no mood for making it three negatives in a row.

Despite playing at a pedestrian pace, they managed to pick an inexperienced Down offering apart with a mixture of precision passing and accurate shooting.

The first ten minutes saw Kerry set out their stall as Darran O’Sullivan, Alan Fitzgerald and Bryan Sheehan all converted.

Connaire Harrison opened Down’s account in the 13th minute from a free, making amends for an earlier miss.

Three minutes later, he followed this up with another score before Barry O’Hagan hit a fine point to level matters on 17 minutes.

Eamon Burns’ men went to sleep after this as Kerry powered into the break.

Darran O’Sullivan pointed when a goal was on before Stephen O’Brien and a free from Alan Fitzgerald firmly established their credentials.

Bryan Sheehan picked off his first from play and followed it up with a set piece while a Darran O’Sullivan over the shoulder hook kick on the stroke of halftime sent Kerry six clear.

Just before the whistle Michael Cunningham denied Paul Murphy a credible goal chance.

It was a slow start to the second period and it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that the scoreboard operator was called in to action, Bryan Sheehan’s 45’ being the instigator.

Conor Maginn struck back for the hosts, but by this stage the Red and Black were looking bereft of ideas and on a hiding to nothing.

Substitute Colm Cooper roused the away support with a free shortly after his introduction with Darran O’Sullivan tagging on another well worked effort from open play.

Barry O’Hagan’s response from a tight angle impressed the crowd but Kerry continued to further pile on the pressure.

Between the 52nd and 63rd minute they reeled off another four minors before Ryan Mallon struck for a stonker of a solo point for Down.

Michael Cunningham was also busy in this period pulling off a few strong saves.

In the final skirmishes Down completely wilted as Kerry rammed home their superiority with six further scores to wrap up a very comfortable 16 point success.

The Kingdom’s win was built on forceful midfield performances from Sheehan and Donaghy with Griffin, O’Sé and O’Mahoney very tight at the back.

Darran O’Sullivan was the pick of the forward line that proved far too strong for the Down defence.

Barry O’Hagan showed glimpses of class for the homesters with Michael Cunningham in goal and substitute Ryan Mallon impressing.

Kerry’s quest for survival is gaining momentum while Down go back to the drawing board.

Down: M Cunningham, L Howard, Ci McGovern, D O’Hagan, Co McGovern, A Carr, D O’Hanlon, P Turley, M McKay, J Murphy, M Poland, K McKernan, C Maginn (0-1), C Harrison (0-2, 2F), B O’Hagan (0-2). Subs: J Flynn, D O’Hare, R Mallon (0-1), M Magee, H Brown, R Boyle.

Kerry: B Kealy, M O’Se, M Griffin, S Enright, P O’Connor, A O’Mahoney, F Fitzgerald, K Donaghy, B Sheehan (0-6, 2 45s, 2F), A Walsh, P Murphy, D Walsh, D O’Sullivan (0-4), A Fitzgerald (0-3, 2F), S O’Brien (0-1). Subs: C Cooper (0-4, 3F), P Crowley, B J Keane (0-2), P Kilkenny, T Walsh, B O’Sullivan (0-2).

Down 0-6

Kerry 0-22

NFL DIVISION 1

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