Johnson magic is the ticket

Johnson magic is the ticket

27 May 2015

DOWN hurlers booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Christy Ring Cup with an emphatic win over London at Ballycran on Saturday.

Star of the show was Ballygalget’s Gareth Johnson who had a personal tally of 1-9 and he will certainly relish Derry’s challenge at Owenbeg for a place in the final.

Down opened in style and with a strong wind in their back and they certainly made use of the elements as they stormed into a 1-14 to 1-4 lead by the break.

Conor Woods opened the scoring with a long range free, but Nollaig Bropy equalised for London four minutes later.  

Johnson slotted over his first score from a 65 followed by points from Michael McCullough and Danny Toner. Donal Hughes then carved out an opening for Johnson and the big man planted the ball in the back of the net.

Johnson tagged on another point as Down put daylight between the sides and the lead was extended even further with points from Fintan Conway and Woods.

Phelan managed a point for London before scores from Toner, Dineen, Conway and Johnson (2) gave Down a 1-12 to 0-2 lead after 30 minutes.

Phelan pulled two points back, but Down countered with a converted Johnson free. As the game entered added time at the end of the first half London were awarded a penalty and Bernard Gaffney sent the ball flying past Stephen Keith. 

There was still enough time for Woods to send another score over the bar from distance to leave Down with a 1-14 to 1-4 interval lead.

London opened the second half well and points from Stephen Lambert and Brophy gave them some respite, but points from Coyle and Dineen restoreed Down’s 10-point lead.

Tadgh Healy and Mark O’Dwyer stroked over points for London with Coyle doing likewise for Down before minor scores from Healey and Luke Hands left eight points in it.

Down responded with points from Johnson and Hughes which were immediately cancelled out by scores from Enda Cooney and Derek Morkan.

Declan McManus and Johnson exchanged points, but the Ballygalget talisman was to have the last say and he registered the game’s last score from open play.

Down: S. Keith, M. Conlan, P. Flynn, M. Hughes, D. McManus, C. Woods (0-3), M. McCullough (0-1), D. Hughes (0-1), F. Conway (0-3), M. Ennis, D. Toner (0-2), S. Dineen (0-2), C. Egan, G. Johnson (1-9), J. Coyle (0-1). Subs: P. Sheehan for Egan, S. Nicholson for Coyle, E. Sands fort Johnson.

London: J. Barrett, C. Hickey, L. Gaule, K. Fitzpatrick, T. Healy (0-2), M. Ryan (0-1), D. Morkan (0-1), E. Cooney (0-1), N. Rogers, P. Phelan (0-3), N. Brophy (0-2), S. Lambert (0-1), L. Hands (0-1), M. O’Dwyer (0-1), B. Gaffney (1-0). Subs: C. McAlinden for Rogers, M. Duggan fort Gaffney, E. Collins for Hands, M. FItzpatrick for Gaulie.   

Down 1-22

London 1-13

CHRISTY RING CUP