Relentless Dublin machine on full power to surge past Down

16 March 2016

ALL-IRELAND champions Dublin proved their pedigree as they slain a dogged Down side who will have been heartened by a gutsy display.

Backed by a large home support, Down surged ahead early on. Midfielder Mark McKay neutralised Dean Rock’s opener before Donal O’Hare bagged a very fortuitous goal.

The usually infallible Stephen Cluxton spilled a long range effort from the Burren clubman into his own net much to the shock of those in attendance in the 5th minute.

Substitute Joe Murphy then pointed after his introduction for the black carded Kevin McKernan in the 8th minute.

Down were 1-2 to 0-1 to the good at this stage, but they wouldn’t raise another white flag for 27 minutes.

Dublin soon got into their stride and nailed 1-7 without reply. Dean Rock sent over a free for their second minor before Paul Flynn and Ciaran Kilkenny converted.

The superb Cormac Costello then ghosted in for goal as the Dubs ascended into a two-point lead.

As the half wore on the Metropolitans reeled off another four scores as Down found their physicality in the tackle hard to overcome.

Donal O’Hare’s free on the stroke of halftime provided light at the end of the tunnel as Jim Gavin’s charges commanded a five point lead at the break.

Dublin continued their good form after the break as Cormac Costello and Paul Flynn both registered.

The impressive Joe Murphy posted the homesters’ first score of the second period on 41 minutes.

Shortly after Down keeper Michael Cunningham pulled off a superb goal bound save with the shot taker Kevin McManamon responding with a point.

Down then hit a purple patch, starting with a converted Donal O’Hare free.

Paul Devlin and his Kilcoo teammate Darragh O’Hanlon both hit fantastic post splitters to reduce the deficit to five.

Dubs sub Shane Carthy missed a glorious goal chance after this before his side got on top once again.

Dean Rock struck a free with Jonny Cooper following up before the robust Paddy Andrews got in on the act.

Paul Devlin should have goaled for the Red and Black before Costello rounded up the scoring in the 66th minute.

The sublime Gerard McGovern blasted the post with three to go as the Dubs closed out the game to seal an expected eight point success.

Down: M Cunningham; G Collins, G McGovern, D O’Hagan; J Flynn, A Carr, D O’Hanlon (0-1); P Turley, M McKay (0-1); C Maginn, R Mallon, K McKernan; C McGovern, D O’Hare (1-2, 0-2f), B O’Hagan. Subs: P Devlin (0-1) for Mallon, L Howard for Carr, C Harrison for O’Hagan, H Brown for McKay, J Murphy (0-2) for McKernan.

Dublin: S Cluxton; P McMahon, M Fitzsimons, D Byrne (Naomh Olaf); J McCarthy, J Small, J Cooper (0-1); B Fenton, S Carthy (Naomh Mearnog); P Flynn (0-2), D Connolly, C Kilkenny (0-2); C Costello, (1-4, 0-4f), K McManamon (0-2), D Rock (0-3, 1’45, 1f).

Subs: P Andrews (0-1) for McManamon, E Lowndes for S Carthy (Naomh Mearnog), D Bastick for B Fenton, T Brady for C Costello, D Daly for J Cooper.

Down 1-7

Dublin 1-15

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