Down in disarray as Monaghan prosper

Down in disarray as Monaghan prosper

8 June 2016

GLIMPSES of progress in the first half were rampantly destroyed in the second half on a horrific day for Down football.

Despite fighting hard in the first half which saw them trail 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval, the second period turned into a disaster zone.

Monaghan kick-started the game with Kieran Hughes hitting the ball high over the bar. Debutant Barry O’Hagan then took himself off on a mazy run to fist over on his debut before Conor Maginn converted.

A trio of wides followed for Down, who were seemingly in control at this stage, but their failure to convert chances saw Kieran Hughes level the game.

With Down bursting forward at every opportunity, they were rewarded with two frees that Darragh O’Hanlon duly converted.

The Ulster Champions were always in touch, though, as sharpshooter Conor McManus sent over two frees of his own. More ebbing and flowing occurred and two scores apiece from both sides brought it to 0-6 each.

A critical period before half-time arrived and it was Malachy O’Rourke’s side that raised their game. A goal and three points came their way with McManus on target with two set pieces and Dermot Malone getting in on the act.

Substitute Donal O’Hare’s early free had the deficit down to two at the start of the second half and the travelling support were maybe beginning to sense a shock on the cards.

That optimism was soon extinguished.

Monaghan went three ahead before Peter Turley received black and a stint on the sideline. Monaghan began to settle into their rhythm soon after.

Conor McManus slipped over from play with Karl O’Connell following this up. Conor McCarthy capped a decent performance with a double of scores with keeper Rory Beggan having little difficulty in tapping over two set pieces.

Kieran Hughes managed to find the net for Monaghan’s opening goal after being fed by Conor McManus in a move which originated from a Down error.

A pair of scores gave Down brief respite after McManus converted a free before the Farneymen totally dominated for the last quarter.

Down wouldn’t score again with Monaghan blitzing this with 1-5. Owen Duffy had himself the major while a spread of scorers accounted for the remaining quintet of post splitters.

The atmosphere had died a death by this stage as the Down support resigned themselves to defeat while the Monaghan faithful basked in victory in the searing afternoon heat.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-3, 2f, 1’45); K Duffy, D Wylie, R Wylie, D Mone, C Walshe, V Corey, K O’Connell (0-1), D Hughes, S Carey (0-1), D Malone (0-1), R McAnespie (0-1), C McCarthy (0-2, 1f), K Hughes (1-2), C McManus (0-8, 6f). Subs: O Duffy (1-0) for R McAnespie, F Kelly for D Mone, P Finlay for K Hughes, D McKenna (0-2) for C McCarthy, D Clerkin (0-1) for V Corey, T Kerr for S Carey.

Down: S Kane, G Collins, G McGovern, D O’Hagan, D McKibbin, A Carr, D O’Hanlon (0-2f), P Turley, K McKernan, C Maginn (0-2), M Poland (0-1), J Murphy, C McGovern, C Harrison, B O’Hagan (0-1). Subs: D O’Hare (0-2, 1f) for B O’Hagan, H Brown for P Turley (BC), P Devlin (0-1f) for J Murphy, J Flynn for D McKibbin, D Turley for G Collins, R Mallon for C Maginn.