Down full of hope after Breffni show

Down full of hope after Breffni show

26 June 2013 - by BY MARK FITZSIMONS

BACK in February 1690 the Williamite and Jacobite forces clashed in Cavan town. A ferocious battle ensued between the two armies with the result being that most of the town was burnt to the ground.

Although Breffni Park didn’t experience any scorch damage on Sunday, it was the venue for a modern day confrontation that gripped the 21,175 souls that packed out the splendid amphitheatre.

Down and Donegal went flat out for the right of passage through to the Ulster SFC final. No quarter was given or taken.

At the end of a bruising dogfight it was the reigning All-Ireland champions that emerged victors. Their greater capacity to take scores when under pressure saw them across the line.

If Down had of been more confident in front of goals then there is no doubt that they would now be preparing for a duel with Cavan or Monaghan on July 21.

Too many chances went begging due to indecision. Yet it is hard to fault Down’s efforts.

Collectively they worked themselves to a standstill. They tackled hard and defended superbly. They came close to ‘out-Donegalling’

Donegal.

A nightmare start in which they conceded four points without reply was soon forgotten when Donal O’Hare converted two frees in the space of three minutes.

Benny Coulter won the first one while the second was an excellent effort from 45 metres out.

Michael Murphy hit his third point in the 21st minute and this was followed up by Paddy McBrearty’s only score of the game as Donegal moved clear by four points.

A fluffed chance by Ryan Boyle when a goal looked likely further frustrated the Down effort but another Donal O’Hare free in the 27th minute settled his side back into the contest.

As half-time approached a superb Mark Poland minor reduced the deficit to two points. Benny Coulter was the architect.

Immediately after the restart a galloping Rory Kavanagh was on hand to kick start the second half with a fine post splitter.

A pattern then emerged whereby both teams swapped scores on numerous occasions.

Donal O’Hare hit back with another free before Murphy retorted in the 45th minute.

O’Hare was on hand again to grasp another set piece before the excellent McFadden landed a quality score in the 53rd minute.

Straight after McFadden’s promptings the magnificent O’Hare hit a superlative point from open play. Peter Turley started the move which filtered through Dan McCartan before being finished by corner forward.

Another classy minor from McFadden led another Donegal charge before Down substitute Jerome Johnston raised the white flag just after being introduced.

O’Hare missed a crucial free on sixty minutes. Colm McFadden didn’t make the same mistake as clipped over moments later.

Another Down substitute Danny Savage clipped over a free with five minutes remaining. A tense finale ensued with Down pushing forward at every opportunity.

However, Michael Murphy’s splendid long range free on the stroke of full time sealed the game and despite Ryan Mallon squandering a late chance for Down, Donegal held on to cement a memorable win.

Final score: Down 0-9 Donegal 0-12

Down: B. McVeigh, D. McCartan, B. McArdle, K. Quinn, D. Rooney, P. Turley, R. Boyle, K. King, K. McKernan, A. Rogers, M. Poland (0-1), N. Madine, C. Laverty, B. Coulter, D. O’Hare (0-6, 5F). Subs: R. Mallon for Quinn, J. Johnston (0-1) for Coulter, D. Savage (0-1, 1F) for Madine.

Donegal: P. Durcan, P. McGrath, N. McGee, E. McGee, Declan Walsh, F. McGlynn, A. Thompson, R. Bradley, R. Kavanagh (0-1), David Walsh, L. McLoone, M. McHugh, P. McBrearty (0-1), M. Murphy (0-5, 4F), C. McFadden (0-5, 2F). Subs: M. O’Reilly for David Walsh, M. McElhinney for Bradley, R. McHugh for McGlynn, R. Wherity for McLoone, D. Molloy for McBrearty.