Down bounce back with super victory

Down bounce back with super victory

13 May 2015

DOWN’S hurlers got their Christy Ring Cup hopes back on track with a comprehensive win over Wicklow at Ballycran on Saturday.

Down led by nine points at the break, 0-14 to 0-5, with Gareth Johnson converting four frees and Danny Toner and Fintan Conway tagging on points.

The home side remained on top in the second half with Donal Hughes, Johnson and Michael Turley impressing.

Down ‘keeper Stephen Keith produced a great save to maintain Down’s lead before Chris Egan netted a late goal to seal a home win.

This was the perfect response from Down following their disappointing defeat away to Kerry last weekend and Paul Sheehan, making his first start of the season, hopes that it can ignite Down’s Championship campaign.

“ I am just glad to get the win, we really needed it and hopefully that will kick start our Christy Ring Cup campaign,” he said afterwards.

“It was a completely different game from our match last week as the Kerry game was more open and there was more hurling played by both teams, but the first half against Wicklow was sheer dogged stuff.

“It was about work rate and intensity, especially from our forwards. We worked led like Trojans and that was the game plan and it seemed to put us on the front foot,” he added.

This was Down’s first win over Wicklow in three years and Sheehan is convinced it proves that Down can play tough as well as display class.

“There is a psychological thing about beating Wicklow because they have sort of bullied us over recent years,” he remarked.

“When I started three years ago they beat us in a relegation battle and put us down from 2A to 2B. They then beat us the next year in the league final and last year they beat us in the league in what was a kicking match, he admitted.

“They have sort of intimidated us, so to get them in Ballycran and stamp our authority was special.”

Down: S. Keith, M. Conlon, P. Flynn, M. Hughes, D. McManus, C. Woods (0-1), M. McCullough, F. Conway (0-2), D. Hughes (0-2), C. Egan (1-4), D. Toner (0-3), S. Dineen, P. Sheehan, G. Johnson (0-5), J. Coyle (0-1). Subs: M. Magee for Sheehan, M. Turley (0-1) for Coyle, M. Nicholson for Egan, C. Fitzsimons for Conway.

Wicklow: T. Kennedy, E. Dunne (0-1), B. Cuddihy, P. Keane, L. Moloney, S. Kelly, E. Glynn (0-1), E. Kearns, T. Doyle, C. Moorehouse (0-1), L. Glynn (0-2), R. Keddy, A. Byrne (0-2), A. O’Brien (0-4), D. Staunton (0-1). Subs: M. Lee (0-1) for Byrne, J. Connors for Staunton, G. Weir for Moorehouse.

Down 1-19

Wicklow 0-13

CHRISTY RING CUP