Down’s sensational start sets up Derry win

8 March 2017

THE tide is slowly turning in Down after Eamon Burns’ side produced another polished performance for the second week in a row.

Doomsday scenarios that were being prophesied only a few weeks ago now look a little wide of mark. Down have got an air of confidence back and more importantly, momentum.

The way the Red and Black completely dominated Derry in the first 23 minutes was not expected.

The hosts had absolutely no way of coping with their pace and directness. To score 1-10 without reply is no mean feat.

“Confidence is a big boost to any team and we’d be no different,” Burns said afterwards.

“We have some experienced players who, when our back was to the wall kept going, and for the younger lads who have come on to the team the two wins will build confidence.

“If we’re going to make more progress we’re going to have to keep taking these steps and keep improving. Players and management are very aware of that but from the Meath game to today there was another marked improvement,.

“We had the wind at our back and we used it very well and got a few scores on the board. After half-time we were able to hold the ball and move it, punch holes and get scores when we needed them.”

It was Barry O’Hagan who registered Down’s first of the afternoon after only 14 seconds of action. The supremely fit Caolan Mooney then marched upfield on two occasions to make it 0-3 to no score.

Derry created a few chances, but found the huge amount of bodies in the Down rearguard hard to bypass.

The scoreboard kept ticking over for Down with the ever accurate Darragh O’Hanlon nailing two frees and livewire O’Hagan also at the double.

The icing on the cake arrived when Kevin McKernan set up Ryan Johnston for a goal.

Johnston’s sheer pace and the absence of any sort of credible barrier in the Derry back line allowed the Kilcoo man an easy passage through to the net.

Derry’s misery was further compounded as Murphy, Maginn and O’Hanlon banged over three minors without reply to bring about an incredible 13-point advantage with 10 minutes left of the half.

It took the guts of Conor McAtamney and Emmett McGuckin to drag Derry back into the contest.

McAtamney scored two points while McGuckin goaled added a goal and a point. A complete catastrophe for Derry was somewhat avoided by that mini resurgence.

The second half saw Down open confidently while Derry decided to opt for a mass defence.

Darragh O’Hanlon’s free was countered by two Derry efforts from Benny Heron and James Kielt, before the home side were unlucky not to get a penalty when it seemed like McGuckin was dragged to the ground in the area.

Scores were exchanged in the last 20 minutes between the sides as the drama died now with Derry knowing they had been simply outclassed.

A Ryan Johnston point was countered by similar scores from Mark Craig and McGuckin, but Derry continued to play second fiddle to Down.

The last word went to the classy Mooney who registered his third score of the game.

Down were comfortable in seeing out the contest and the end were fully deserving of their eight-point success.

Derry: T Mallon, N Keenan, C Nevin, C McGrogan, N Forester, O Duffin, M McEvoy, J Kielt (0-1, 1f), C McAtamney (0-2), E Lynn, E McGuckin (1-2), C McWilliams, R Bell, N Loughlin, B Heron. Subs: B Grant for Bell, M Craig (0-1) for Duffin, G O’Neill for Nevin, C Mullan for McCrogan.

Down: M Cunningham, R McAleenan, G McGovern, D O’Hagan, D O’Hanlon (0-6, 5f), B McArdle, C Mooney (0-3), A Carr, P Turley, K McKernan, C Maginn (0-1), J Murphy (0-1), S Millar, B O’Hagan (0-3), R Johnston (1-1). Subs: N Donnelly for McGovern, J Johnston for B O’Hagan, M Poland for Millar, P Devlin for Murphy, A Davidson for R Johnston, C Magee for Maginn.

Down 1-7

Derry 1-15

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 2

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder