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Down swept past Derry with a trio of goals at Pairc Esler on Saturday in the Christy Ring Quarter final.
This competition had reached the second knock out round and was a winner takes all contest so to speak, with the losers having a few weeks rest before their Ulster championship campaign began.
In very wet conditions and not a great day for hurlers to perform the game began and within 4mins Derry were leading 2points to 1 with a free from Paddy Henry and a point from Brendan Rodgers, the Down score came from Paul Braniff with a strong run down the stand side and cool finish.
The rain was playing its part though and there were no more scores until the 23rd minute when Aaron Kelly picked up a loose ball to point from 30m. Scott Nicholson responded for Down when he excellently fielded out on the wing and struck it sweetly over for the point.
Danny Toner then had a shot for goal brilliantly tipped over by Mc Dermott in the Derry nets and the score was 3points each after 30 minutes.
On 32 mins Down took the lead for the first time with a point from Gareth Johnston, Hinphey responded for Derry, and with points from frees for Braniff and one for Derry form Henry the teams went in at half time on 5points each.
The second half started with much the same conditions and probably both teams knew that it wasn’t going to be a high scoring affair and that a goal would be a major factor in the outcome of the contest.
Points were exchanged between Braniff and Henry to leave it six each. Then on six minutes Derry were awarded a penalty and the chance for the goal had come, Alan Johnston struck poorly though and it was easily saved and cleared by the `down defence. Down had introduced Cormac Flynn for Ciaran Coulter and Micheal Turley For Kevin Mc Garry and Derry had brought in Brendan Quigley early in the half,
Derry then added a point this time from Paddy Kelly. The game as a contest was to take a major turn in the 12 minute of the second half Michael Ennis came through the heart of the Derry defence with a superb run only to be brutally taken out by Hinphey after he had passed the ball, from the resultant free just outside the 21 directly in front of the goals Braniff stepped up and drilled it to the top corner and Down had the goal
Game changing this proved to be and from the puck out Down again picked up the ball and with a quick delivery into the inside forward line Turley had slipped his man and as he and the keeper went to contest the high ball he was able to get the most delicate touch and it nestled in the corner of the net just inside the left post. Down were suddenly five points up and with scores at a premium in the conditions it was a major turning point for the mournemen.
Derry added points from a Henry free and Mc Closkey, but Down were well on top at his stage and with Turley again sticking over from well out on the wing on the halfway line they were finishing the stronger team.
Derry were awarded a very dubious penalty on 28 minutes but today was not going to be their day as it was again saved on the line by Down and easily cleared to safety, the score was to remain 2.07 to 0.09 until injury time when Johnny Mc Cusker who had replaced Coyle on 34mins stepped up to take a great goal after he had been found inside by a great delivery from Fintan Conway he rounded the keeper to finish to an empty net and the game was over. With Down running out winners by 3.07 to 0.09.
This was a very hard fought win in very bad conditions for hurling with lots of mistakes from both sides.
Down were to prove to be the much stronger team in the second half with it being fairly even over the first 35mins.
When the game opened up a bit in the second half Down were the much better side. Gerard Monan will be happy with the win and the substitutions worked well for him on the day. He will be hoping that some of his players struggling with knocks are able to recover as they now face Meath in the semi final next Saturday.
Final Score: Down 3.07 Derry 0.09
