Down blitz leaves them top of Division Two at expense of Westmeath

Down 2-17 Westmeath 0-10

Down remain at the top of Division Two following an impressive victory over Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The Ulster side blitzed their Leinster counterparts particularly in the second period when they slipped two goals passed veteran Westmeath goalkeeper Gary Connaughton.

From the opening minute the signs were looking ominous for the locals as they seemed completely out of their depth and unable to cope with Down’s dynamic attack.

Safe guarding a five point advantage at the interval, Down continued to impress after the break and when they netted two quick-fire goals via Arthur McConville and Donal O’Hara the game was simply over as a contest.

Down manager Jim McCorry expressed his delight at the manner in which his side went about their business;

“Today’s victory against Westmeath was built out of a solid team performance. If someone was to ask me to pick a man of the match award I wouldn’t have been able. From our goalkeeper right out to our corner-forward, our boys delivered and from that perspective I’m very pleased with their account.

“I thought our keeper Stevie Kane was very good with any high ball that came in front of him this afternoon, he was equally good with his distribution from the kick outs. Our full-back line supported each other and protected Stevie all afternoon. Considering we lost one of the best defenders in Down Darren O’Hagan to injury and just before the throw-in we had another set back when centre-back Brendan McCardle was forced to sit out, the lads who came in worked tirelessly and fitted in seamlessly.

“I was delighted that we could use the full quota of players and they all played their part in today’s victory.”

Commenting on Down’s potent attacking inside forward line, who registered an impressive 2-9 between them, McCorry said: “We have a great inside forward line, there’s a nice blend between our more senior players and the new lads that have been introduced.”

McCorry added that in the past the team had been criticised for being too defensive, however he stressed it’s about trying to get a balance right between both. “I thought their decision-making was very good this afternoon, against Galway it was very poor, both defensively and offensively, today however it was better in both departments and I’m very pleased with their over all performance.”

Westmeath: G Connaughton , M McCallon , K Maguire , K Daly ; J Gonoud , K Martin , P Holloway ; P Sharry , J Heslin(0-2f) ; D Daly , G Egan , R Connellan(0-1f) ; L Smyth , C McCormack(0-2 '45') , D Glennon . Subs: D McCormack for D Daly 3rd, S Dempsey (0-3) for L Smith 30th, F Boyle for P Holloway 35th, J Gilligan for G Egan 55th, J Connellan for C McCormack 59th.

Down: S Kane , G Collins , L Howard , D Turley ; P Devlin (0-1f) , D O'Hanlon (0-2), C Maginn(0-1) ; P Turley , R Mallon ; C McGovern , K McKernan (0-2), M Poland (0-2); C Laverty (0-3) , A McConville(1-1) , D O'Hare (1-4,1f) . Subs: M McGee for R Mallon 59th, A Carr for M Polland 60th, C Mooney for K McKernan 60th, J Johnson for A McConville 62nd, P Downey for P Turley 65th, R McGarry for C Laverty 70th.

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow)