Poland inspires Down revival to gain draw

Poland inspires Down revival to gain draw

5 February 2014

A POINT gained rather than a point lost was the outcome of this encounter as a storming second half comeback from Down earned them a share of the spoils.

Monaghan ran the show in the first half and if they had been more clinical with their goal chances in this period then there would have been no road back for Down at half-time.

The home side really only created one clear-cut goal chance and it ended up in the Monaghan net. Bryansford’s Conor Maginn was the ace marksman on this occasion.

Down’s policy of utilising two sweepers in the first 35 minutes didn’t come off. Monaghan got a lot of time on the ball out the field and they pierced the Down rearguard with ease when they played their running game.

James McCartan’s side also suffered at midfield as Paul Finlay lorded the zone with some fine fetching.

With All-Star defender Colin Walshe in terrific form, his direct opponent, Mark Poland, couldn’t get in to the game. Poland is Down’s best playmaker, but he was well marshalled and as a result Down were bereft of ideas in the first half.

Down settled quickly in the opening exchanges as wing half back Ryan Boyle slotted over. However, two scores apiece from Thomas Kerr and Jack McCarron lifted the Farney men with Paul Finlay’s effort putting the travelling team four points up after 17 minutes.

Stephen Gollogly wasted a glorious goal chance for Malachy O’Rourke’s outfit, but McCarron pointed from the rebound.

Jerome Johnston finally got Down back on the scoreboard, but Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan responded with a 45. Despite Down’s struggles, Donal O’Hare landed his first free of the afternoon.

In a bid to stem their inferiority at midfield, James McCartan rung the changes as he introduced Kilcoo’s Ryan Johnston into the fray. Gary McArdle was called ashore and Peter Turley was moved from full back to the middle.

Two more scores arrived from the nifty Jack McCarron while Down replied through a free from Darragh O’Hanlon. The last score of the half came from the boot of Christopher McGuinness who applied the final touch after Dermot Malone burst through the middle of the Down defence.

Monaghan were 0-10 to 0-4 to the good and looking near certainties for the victory.

Down needed a renewed impetus at half-time, but within no time they were behind by seven points as Paul Finlay once again set up Jack McCarron. Ryan Johnston snuck in with his first ever senior intercounty point just after.

Then came the turning point. Despite having a quiet game, Mark Poland popped up out of nowhere. After escaping the clutches of Colin Walshe he fed Conor Maginn who fired a neat volley past Rory Beggan.

Despite Conor McManus converting on his introduction, Down managed to keep the Monaghan ship at bay. A poor miss from Jack McCarron when through on goal was welcomed by the home support.

As the game slid towards the last quarter, Down ramped up their efforts. Scores from Conor Garvey, Eoin McCartan and Donal O’Hare put two in it.

A Conor McManus free had a goal between the sides, but Down’s hunger and desire began to shine through as they battled on to the final whistle.

A nice Jerome Johnston effort plus two Donal O’Hare frees levelled the game. The second of O’Hare’s set-pieces coming in the last minute.

Young Darragh O’Hanlon had the chance to win the game in the dying embers, but his long free drifted wide.

James McCartan wasn’t a happy camper at half-time in Sunday’s game, but it was a different story at the final whistle.

“I questioned the players and thankfully they showed that this team does have a wee bit of bottle,” he said.

“We’re disappointed after what was the worst first-half that Down have had in my time, but we’re relieved to get a point out of it. I don’t think we got lucky; we earned that point.”

Down: S. Harrison, D. McCartan, P. Turley, D. O’Hagan, R. Boyle (0-1), A. Carr, C. Garvey (0-1), G. McArdle, R. Mallon, D. O’Hanlon (0-1f), M. Poland, J. Johnston (0-2), D. O’Hare (0-4f), N. Madine, C. Maginn (1-0). Subs: R. Johnston (0-1) for McArdle, E. McCartan (0-1) for Madine, D. Savage for J Johnston.

Monaghan: R. Beggan (0-1 45), F. Kelly, D. Wylie, R. Wylie, C. Walshe, D. Mone, C. Boyle, G. Doogan, P. Finlay (0-1), P. Keenan, S. Gollogly, T. Kerr, (0-2, 1f), J. McCarron (0-7, 2f) C. McGuinness (0-1), D. Malone. Subs: C. McManus (0-2, 1f) for McGuinness, K. Duffy for Mone, V. Corey for D. Wylie, K. Hughes for Gollogly, O. Lennon for Kerr.

Down 1-11

Monaghan 0-14

NFL DIVISION 2