Mournemen run riot in win over Queen’s

16 January 2019

DOWN finished their McKenna Cup campaign on a high when they beat Queen’s University Belfast by 22 points at Pairc Esler last Wednesday night.

Paddy Tally’s charges did all that was asked of them, but he will know more than most that there is still an awful long way to go and things to do before Down open their National League campaign at the end of the month against Laois.

Saval’s Pat Havern, the man of the match and one player who has certainly given Tally something to think about, opened the scoring for Down in the first minute before Kieran Hughes quickly levelled matters.

Down then hit a golden spell and two unanswered frees from Paul Devlin and a goal from Havern eased the home side into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute.

Burren’s Ryan Treanor cut the deficit to two points with a converted free for Queen’s and this score was quickly followed by another Hughes point and a predatory strike from Callum O’Neill to bring the sides level on the 18 minute mark.

Down looked slightly apprehensive and perplexed at this stage, but their supporters need not have worried as Tally’s men dominated the remainder of the half and scored 1-5 without reply to go in at the break with a 2-8 to 1-3 lead.

Kevin McClorey started the scoring spree in the 20th minute with a good point from play. Loughinisland’s Declan McClements tagged on a goal while Havern, Conor Francis and goalkeeper Rory Burns (0-2) completed the first half scoring.

Down continued to boss the game after the break and early scores from Conor McGrady, Havern (1-1) and Owen McCabe extended the home team’s lead to 3-11 to 1-3.

A Devlin point midway through the half was followed by a goal from Shane Annett after a McClements effort came off the upright. Devlin and Francis added points before James smith took Queen’s first score in over 34 minutes.

Treanor tagged on a point, but this was the last score from Queen’s as Down finished on top and scores from Devlin, Corey Quinn (0-2) and Jerome Johnston secured a commanding victory.

Down: Rory Burns (0-2, 1f, 1 45m), Gerard Collins, Niall Donnelly, Ryan McAleenan, Kevin McClorey (0-1), Ruairi Wells, Shane Annett (1-0), Conor Francis (0-2), Daniel McCarthy, Declan McClements (1-0), Paul Devlin (0-5, 3f), Conor McGrady (0-1), Owen McCabe (0-1), Pat Havern (2-3, 1f), Ciaran Harney.

Subs: D McKibben for Collins, Corey Quinn (0-2) for McCabe, Jerome Johnston (0-1) for Havern, Connaire Harrison for Harney, Aaron McClements for McGrady.

Queen’s: Eoghan Mullholland, Matthew Loughran, Oisin Lappin, Conor McCluskey, Niall Rafferty, James Rice, Kieran Hughes (0-2), Donal McKeever, Emmet Deane, Ryan Treanor (0-2f), Patrick O’Connor, Callum O’Neill (1-0), Ruairi Campbell, James Smith (0-1f), Daniel Guinness.

Subs: Brendan Gallen for McCluskey, Patrick McConnell for Rafferty, Emmet Donaghy for Loughran, Niall Hannigan for Hughes, Rian Connery for McKeever.

Down 4-18

Queen’s 1-5

McKENNA CUP

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