Down win thriller to move back into top flight

8 April 2015

DOWN were promoted to Division 1 after beating Laois in a thriller at Newry on Sunday and will now face Roscommon in the Division 2 final at Croke Park at the end of the month.

This was the Mourne county’s second stab at securing a place in the Division 2 decider after they slipped up against Meath last weekend, but goals from Conor Laverty, Paul Devlin and Arthur McConville ensured that Jim McCorry’s men will be in the top flight next season.

However, it was Laois who settled first and early points from Niall Donoher and Evan O’carroll edged them into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead by the seventh minute.

Down woke from their slumber and Paul Devlin converted a free in the ninth minute to register his side’s first score. Laois responded immediately and Ross Munnelly pointed the visitors into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

Back came Down and Conor Laverty set Pairc Esler alight with a well taken goal in the 12th minute. This was added to by points from the diligent Mark Poland and Caolan Mooney as Down took a 1-3 to 0-3 lead by the 15th minute.

O’Carroll and Conor Maginn exchanged points before four consecutive points from Darren Stirling, Munnelly, O’Carroll and John O’Loughlin nudged Laois into a 0-8 to 1-4 lead.

As the first half drew to a close Down stepped up a gear and scores flowed from Conall McGovern, Maginn, Laverty and a goal from Devlin, after superb work from Poland, as the home side went into the break with a 2-7 to 0-8 lead,

Down extended their lead at the start of the second half with points from Devlin and Donal O’Hare before O’Carroll registered Laois’ first score of the second half.

Mooney then pointed Down into 2-10 to 0-9 lead, but three unanswered points from O’Carroll kept Laois well in contention midway through the second half.

An Arthur McConville goal and a point from corner back Gerard Collins looked to set Down up for a storming victory, but Laois refused to give way and points from O’Carroll (2) and Munnelly ensured a nervous finish for Down.

McGovern settled the nerves a bit in the dying stages with a point from play, but a Munnelly penalty in the last minute gave Laois renewed hope.

However, Down held on for a deserved victory and can now look forward to a trip to Croke on April 26.

Down: S. Kane, G. Collins (0-1), L. Howard, D. Turley, D. O’Hagan, B. McArdle, C. McGovern (0-2), P. Turley, P. Devlin (1-2, 0-2f), C. Maginn (0-2), K. McKernan, M. Poland (0-1), C. Laverty (1-1), C. Mooney (0-2), D. O’Hare (0-1f). Subs: A. McConville (1-0) for P. Turley, N. Madine for Maginn, R. Johnston for Mooney, A. Carr for McKernan, Fitzpatrick for D. O’Hare.

Laois: G. Brody, D. O’Connor, M. Timmons, S. Attride, D. Strong (0-1), R. Kehoe (0-1), C. Begley, B. Quigley, J. O’Loughlin (0-1, N. Donoher (0-1), C. Boyle, E. O’Carroll (0-7, 5f, 2’45); R. Munnelly (1-4, 1-0pen, 0-3f), B. Sheehan, T. Shiel. Subs: J. Finn for Shiel, P. Begley for C. Boyle, P. Kingston for B. Sheehan, C. Kelly for E. O’Carroll.

Down 3-12

Laois 1-15

NFL DIVISION 2

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