Unbeaten Down gather momentum

Down 1-13 Armagh 1-6  DOWN RETAINED their unbeaten top of the table record in the Division Two with a most impressive display against near neighbours Armagh in Páirc Esler Newry on Saturday night.

In a game of high class football, brilliant moves and scores, Down, who already had to start without star forward Paul McComiskey (injured), were further handicapped after 20 minutes when star ex-Aussie Rules player Martin Clarke went off injured.

Without their two recognised free-takers, the onus then fell on Benny Coulter, Ambrose Rogers and Mark Poland.

Down made a brilliant start with a goal from the elusive Coulter inside the opening minute.

This score set the trend of the game and they pulverised the Armagh defence to lead by 1-5 to 0-0 after eight minutes, with Clarke and Poland registering two points each and Coulter one.

Armagh were given a slender hope when Stefan Forker was fouled in the 11th minute and Steven McDonnell fired home from the penalty spot.

Armagh had the better of the exchanges in the following 15 minutes, with McDonnell, Finian Moriarty, Gareth Swift and adding further points.

Armagh’s momentum was halted two minutes from half-time when Finian Moriarty received a red card and Down added a point from Danny Hughes to establish a 1-7 to 1-4 interval lead.

Down continued to dominate the second half against the depleted Armagh side with a comprehensive attacking display which their neighbours were unable to contain.

Although Steven McDonnell had an Armagh point within a minute of the restart they were on the receiving end for the rest of the half. Poland (twice), Rogers, John Clarke, and substitute Conor Maginn all pointed for Down who ran out the most convincing of winners.

In a strong Down half-back line, Kevin McKernan, James Colgan and Conor Garvey were outstanding while the imposing Rogers dominated midfield. Up front Coulter, Poland and Danny Hughes were most impressive.

In an Armagh defence that struggled throughout to contain the power and pace of the Down attack the best work came from Brendan Donaghy, Paul Duffy and Paul Kernan with Kieran Toner working hard at midfield.

The attack was well held by the a tight-marking, vigilant Down defence with only veteran McDonnell, Gareth Swift and Aaron Kernan causing the Mourne men any real problems.

DOWN:D Alder; D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty; K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rogers (0-3), K King; D Hughes (0-1), M Clarke (0-2, one free), S Kearney; M Poland (0-3), J Clarke (0-2, one free), Coulter (1-1). Subs:C Maginn (0-1) for M Clarke (21 mins), C Laverty for J Clarke (48 mins), A Brannigan for K McKernan (60 mins), J McGovern for Kearney (67 mins), R Murtagh for Poland (67 mins).

ARMAGH:P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, P Duffy; P Kernan, C McKeever, F Moriarty (0-1); R Austin, K Toner; J Feeney (0-1), A Kernan, G Swift (0-1); R Henderson, S McDonnell (1-3, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free), S Forker. Subs:C Vernon for R Henderson (18 mins), M Mackin for S Forker (ht), M Ferris for C McKeever (40 mins), M McNamee for Austin (56 mins), T Kernan for Feeney (60 mins).

Referee:M Sludden (Tyrone).