Down hurlers flip in second half display

14 February 2024

DOWN senior hurling manager Ronan Sheehan probably looked at the first two fixtures of the Allianz National league Division 2A campaign with a wry smile.

Laois had hammered his side last year by 30 points while Kerry had come to Ballycran in the Joe McDonagh Cup and left with a very comfortable victory.

The signs last week had been promising; the teams level with around ten minutes left, before Laois hit an unanswered 1-4 to take the league points. At half-time in Ballycran on Saturday there was also 1-4 between the teams, 1-15 to 0-11, with Kerry in control.

Could Down turn it around in the second half when they had a by now slight breeze on their backs? The answer was an emphatic yes from the Down players.

There had been some mistakes in the opening ten or 15 minutes that surrendered easy possession for Kerry and a second minute goal for Michael Leane.

But the Down defence had still looked pretty solid. Fionán Mackessy, however, was allowed to pick up a sweeping role and dominate at the back during that opening half. After the break he was under a lot more pressure.

That early goal from Michael Leane, quickly followed by a pointed free from Maurice O’Connor, put Down where their manager hadn’t wanted them to be - chasing the game.

Despite that early set back, Down settled well. Pearse Óg McCrickard pointed a fifth minute free and points from Caolán Taggart, Dónal Hughes and Tim Prenter had them right back in the frame at 1-3 to 0-4 by the tenth minute.

Kerry’s response was good, however, and they moved into a 1-8 to 0-6 lead before two points from McCrickard broke the momentum. Nevertheless, Kerry had a good second quarter and ended up leading by 1-15 to 0-11 at half-time.

Sheehan would have demanded a big statement at the start of the second half. But the first 22 minutes must surely have surpassed his expectations. From seven points down, the home side livened up their supporters with an unanswered 2-8 to go seven points clear.

Kerry simply couldn’t get to grips with them at all.

Over the first ten minutes they narrowed the gap to just two points with scores from McCrickard (three), Chris Egan, Liam Savage and Tom McGrattan.

Then they took the lead when Daithí Sands hit the back of the Kerry net.

Points from Prenter and McCrickard were followed by a 52nd minute goal from Daniel Toner making his first start since 2020.

Substitute Paul Sheehan tagged on a point before Maurice O’Connor stepped up to claim Kerry’s first score of the half from a free.

By now Down were completely in charge of their own destiny and could have won by a lot more than the seven points that separated the teams at the end.

Kerry scored three of the final four points through two from O’Connor and one from Rónán Walsh. Fittingly, Tom McGrattan finished the scoring with his third point to put Down mid table with another home tie ahead of them on Sunday, February 25, when Kildare are visitors.

Kildare have lost both their opening games and Ronan Sheehan will hope his team can add to their miseries by building on this result in McKenna Park.

Down: S Keith; J McManus, M Conlan, D Mallon; B Trainor, C Taggart (0-1), L Savage; D Hughes (0-1), R McCrickard (0-1); D Sands (1-1), P Og McCrickard (0-9, 5 frees), T Prenter (0-3); D Toner (1-1), T McGrattan (0-3), C Egan (0-1).

Subs: E Sands (0-1) for Egan (45), P Sheehan (0-1) for Toner (54), C Milligan for Hughes (70), N Milligan for D Sands (70+1)

Kerry: L Dee; E Lee, D Shanahan (0-1), N O’Mahony; T O’Connor (0-2), E Murphy, D Griffin; K O’Connor, F Mackessy (0-3, 2 frees); M Leane (1-0), G Dooley (0-2), B Barrett; N Mulcahy (0-2), M O’Connor (0-5, 4 frees), D Goggin (0-3).

Subs: K Hayes (0-1) for Barrett (4), F McCarthy for Leen (51), T Doyle for Leane (60), D Reen for Mulcahy (69)

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan).

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