Stunning Down in Ulster last four

Stunning Down in Ulster last four

27 March 2013 - by BY MARK FITZSIMONS

THERE may only have been three points separating these near neighbours at full time, but this narrow margin of victory masks the truth — Down were quite simply in a different class to Armagh in this Ulster U-21 FC quarter-final.

The classy Mourne lads ran riot in the first half and by the interval they were in control of a 0-7 to 0-1 lead. Down looked sharper and fitter and with Danny Savage causing all sorts of problems on the edge of the square, Armagh looked in desperate trouble.

Tactically, the winners looked sound. They broke from deep, while defensively they were organised with a host of men behind the ball.

Armagh’s performance was less fluid. They lacked the cohesion and organisation of their conquerors.

Down started with conviction and were three points up after eight minutes. Danny Savage, Michael Monan and Ryan O’Hare all got on the score sheet.

Bryansford star Savage was causing the Orchard County all sorts of problems and probably should have had two goals. His first chance hit the crossbar while his second was superbly saved by Conor McKeown.

Armagh finally got on the scoreboard on 14 minutes through Eddie English. The Mullaghbawn talent was to be the only Armagh player to score in the first half.

Down put over another four points with Savage once again in the thick of the white flag raising activities.

Armagh reshuffled their pack at the break with three substitutes entering the fray. Aaron Findon came in at midfield and did his best to get his team back into the game.

Team captain Aiden Forker got Armagh a point on the restart, but Down responded promptly. Three unanswered scores arrived with Kilcoo’s Darragh O’Hanlon accounting for two of them.

Down continued to dominate as the game wore on. Entering the final quarter they were 0-10 to 0-3 up.

Surprisingly though it was Armagh who outscored the victors 1-2 to 0-1 in the last 15 minutes. Aiden Forker got the goal from a 21-metre free late on. This was a follow-up to two frees from Niall McConville. Down’s scoring was rounded off by Jerome Johnston.

Down were much the better team throughout and won this one pulling up. Some stern defensive work aligned to excellent forward play proved to be the two main ingredients in which this win was built upon.

Down: M Cunningham; R Lively, M Hughes, D Murtagh; R Johnston (0-1), C McCartan, D O’Hanlon (0-2, 1f); C Gough, C Maginn; J Johnston (0-1), M Bagnall, S McArdle (0-1); M Monan (0-2), D Savage (0-3, 2f), R O’Hare (0-1). Subs: D Gilmore for O’Hare, N Madine for Monan, P Murdock for McArdle.

Armagh: C McKeown; R McCaughley, D Mullan, R Finnegan; P Crilly, J King, D O’Neill; E Rafferty, P Carragher; S McCoy, N McConville (0-2, 2f), M McKenna; E English (0-1), A Forker (1-1), J Hall (0-1). Subs: P Burns for Mullan, C Cumiskey for McCoy, A Findon for Carragher, R Rafferty for English, N Grimley for McKenna.

Final score: Armagh 1-5 Down 0-11.