Down slip up in Monaghan

Down slip up in Monaghan

1 June 2016

DOWN were left to rue four missed goal chances as they exited the provincial series at the first hurdle.

Failure to convert these opportunities proved to be the difference as a sturdy Monaghan outfit clung on with five points to spare.

It was a hectic start to the game with both sides going for broke in the attacking stakes.

David Garland got Monaghan off the mark with a free in the sixth before Carryduff’s Darren Ross executed a sublime save to deny Garland a near certain goal.

Monaghan went 0-2 to 0-1 up with 11 minutes played. The Farney lads then pushed on with Brannigan and Garland doubling their team’s total.

Down’s attacks weren’t yielding much success due to some erratic shooting. Monaghan were slightly more economical with James Wilson nabbing their fifth point.

Wilson then bagged a major after being set up by Ryan O’Connor and with half-time nearing it was left to Down’s Eoin McCabe to finish off the scoring with a point to leave the hosts 1-6 to 0-2 clear at the break.

The second half saw a completely different Down side enter the fray.

McCabe nabbed his second on the restart with Garland soon replying for Monaghan. The Mourne boys were pushing on and a two points came their way.

Monaghan were looking unsteady at times and as the last ten minutes approached it was Down who were looking the better side.

Monaghan’s wide count was increasing while Down got themselves within four points of their hosts.

The late dismissal of Finn McIlroy for Down didn’t faze James McCartan’s outfit and it took a brilliant save from Monaghan ‘keeper Jack Kirk at the death to ensure that the hosts progressed to the Ulster semi-final.

Monaghan: J Kirk, J Walsh, C Lennon, O Quinn, P McMahon (0-1), R Mohan, F Hanratty, C Leonard, P Finnan, R O’Connor, J Wilson (1-1), A Courtney, D Garland (0-8, 5f), M Bannigan (0-1), F Connolly (0-1). Subs: R McAlister for A Courtney, F Beggan for R O’Connor, S Burns (0-1) for J Wilson, C Doyle for J Walsh (BC).

Down: D Ross, C Killen, S Fitzpatrick, F McIlroy, J Connery, P Laverty, C Cox, O McConvey, D Catterson, E McCabe (0-2), S Murdock, C Tinnelly, C McCrickard (0-2), D Murdock (0-5, 2f), L Kerr (0-1). Subs: D Treanor for J Connery, J Sloane for C Tinnelly, R Beatty (0-1) for S Murdock, P Fegan for C Killen (BC), O Donnelly for S Fitzpatrick.