Down continue impressive form

6 March 2024

DOWN senior footballers continued their scintillating league form with a thumping 12-point victory over Sligo at Páirc Esler on Sunday.

Conor Laverty’s ruthless Mournemen put a hapless Sligo team to the sword, which really need to pick up victories fast if they are to remain in Division 3 next year.

The visitors may have knocked over the opening score but things went downhill fast after this as Down, who were without their star in the middle Odhrán Murdock due to injury, took control and got off and running thanks to points from the Guinness brothers, James and Daniel.

Assured free taker Pat Havern showed his usual composure and landed two frees before the first green flag of the match was raised as Kilcoo clubman Ceilum Doherty hit the target after receiving a pass from team-mate Daniel Guinness.

Danny Magill, who was continuing his return to full fitness, split the posts once more before Down were let off at the other end as an effort from Sligo’s Sean Carrabine struck the post.

Immediately Down made these fine margins pay and kicked over at the other end through the busy Daniel Guinness.

Sligo found some of their form which had earned them promotion last year and stitched together consecutive scores, although Down remained a threat and came close to a second goal only to be denied by the paint of the crossbar.

Ryan McEvoy then kicked over before the break and at the interval the Mourne outfit were comfortably ahead by six.

Upon the restart, Down picked up where they had left off and continued to impress the sizeable Newry support.

Pat Havern found his range before James Guinness, not to be outdone by the busy efforts of his sibling, struck home his county’s second major of the match to put Down way out in front.

Perhaps on too much of a high from their attractive position, Down took their foot off the pedal and were punished when Sligo responded with a goal from Nathan Mullen.

Down, after perhaps receiving a reality check, refocused and Havern landed frees at will before Liam Kerr chipped in with a point of his own.

With the game flatlined, Sligo stumbled over the line as Down ended the contest well on top and with a point from Doherty.

Down: J O’Hare (0-1f); P Fegan, R McEvoy (0-1), C Doherty (1-2, 1 mark); M Rooney, P Laverty, R Magill; J Flynn, R Johnston; C Mooney, L Kerr (0-1), D Guinness (0-2); D Magill (0-1), P Havern (0-7, 6fs), J Guinness (1-1).

Subs: C Francis for Mooney (29), O Savage (0-1) for J Guinness (47), G McKibben for Johnston (60), F McElroy for R Magill (64), G Collins for Kerr (66).

Sligo: A Devaney; P McNamara, E McGuinness, E Lyons; B Cox, D Cummins, N Mullen (1-0); P O’Connor (0-1), P Kilcoyne; A McLaughlin (0-1), D Conlan, C Lally (0-1); L Towey, S Carrabine (0-4, 2fs), N Murphy (0-1f).

Subs: L Deignan for Conlon (h-t), C Mulligan for Towey (47), D O’Boyle for Murphy (58), M Gordan for Mullen (58), K Cawley for O’Connor (68).

Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin).

Down 2-17

Sligo 1-8

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 3

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