Down off the mark with victory over Meath rivals

Down off the mark with victory over Meath rivals

24 April 2024

DOWN senior hurlers got off to a flyer in their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign with a fantastic victory over Meath at Ballycran at the weekend.

As the old adage goes, ‘goals wins games’, and that proved true here as Tim Prenter struck the net twice for the hosts before Daithí Sands added a third major to see Down home and hosed.

There was delight for Down throughout all areas of the pitch, with the defensive performance of Matt Conlon particularly eye-catching in the full-back position.

In fact, the visitors could only find their range from open play on two occasions throughout the entirety of the second half, which spoke volumes of the industrious work from the Down defence.

The only questionable cloud over an otherwise ideal Down performance was the number of frees conceded.

These frees were expertly dispatched by Meath talisman Padraig O’Hanrahan, who launched 15 of them over the bar alongside a 65’ and a score from play for a seriously impressive personal return of 0-17.

However, outside of these placed balls Meath were second best. Despite opening the scoring inside the first minute, the away side couldn’t kick on and Down kept in touch with Pearse Óg McCrickard tagging on points before Prenter notched his first goal.

Further scores were added before the break from Daithí and Eoghan Sands, Paul Sheehan and Tom Murray and Down were in control at the break.

After the interval, it was a case of déjà vu as Prenter found the net again and the home side impressively continued their assault.

Following the full-time whistle, Down boss Ronan Sheehan reflected on his team’s winning performance.

“The boys were excellent,” he said.

“They used the ball really well to create five clear goal chances. Overall, our defence was excellent, particularly our full-backs, with Matt Conlon outstanding, highlighted by the face we only allowed Meath to just two points from play in the second half.”

He added: “We’d be disappointed with the free count and our discipline needs to be better.

“I think if the game had been closer than some of those frees probably wouldn’t have been called, but no doubt we can’t concede 15 frees the next day out.”

Down now face a trip away to Kerry, who also enjoyed an opening day victory, defeating Westmeath by 1-20 to 1-14.

Down: S Keith, M Conlan, C Cassidy, D Mallon, T Murray (0-1), R McCrickard (0-1), C Taggart (0-1), D Hughes (0-1), L Savage (0-1), P Sheehan (0-5, 3f), P Óg McCrickard (0-3, 2f), E Sands (0-3), D Sands (1-2), F Turpin (0-1), T Prenter (2-2).

Subs: C Egan for P Óg McCrickard, P Savage for Turpin, O MacManus (0-2, 1f) for E Sands, M Fisher (0-1) for Sheehan, B Trainor for Prenter.

Meath: C Ennis, J Ennis, S Geraghty,  D Shine, K Gorman, J Toher (0-1), J Kelly, S Ennis (0-2), N McLarnon (0-1), T Shine, S Quigley,  S Martin (0-1), P O’Hanrahan (0-17, 15f, 1 65’), N Potterton (0-1), E Óg Ó Donnchadha (0-2).

Subs:  A Kelly for Martin, J Walsh for T Shine, M Burke for J Ennis, L Leavy for McLarnon.

Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim).