Down open League with a win over Fermanagh - 03/02/03

Allianz National Football League DIvision 1B
Down 0-08 Fermanagh 0-06 @ 2.30 p.m. Brewster Park, Enniskillen, Sunday 2nd February 2002

Down team standing for national anthem pre match	Liam doyle action shot
Photos Taken By Louis McNally @ Down v Fermanagh - 2003 Allianz National Football League

This two point win put a smile on the face of Down manager Paddy O'Rourke as well as the Down followers. This may have been the first round of the Allianz National League on a very wet and cold day in February, but this meant a lot to the Mourne men. Gregory McCartan dropped to his knees in jubilation at the final whistle, just as if he had won the All Ireland. He then seemed to remember that this was the league and not one of the hey days he enjoyed en route to winning the Ireland in 1994. Perhaps its a mark of where Down football is now that this win meant so much.

This was something of a 'must win' game for both teams, and with home advantage Fermanagh were expected to make up for last seasons defeat at the same stage of the competition by the Mourne county. The scoreline of 0-8 to 0-6 tells its own story - two average teams battling for important league points to stave off the threat of relegation to Division 2 football next season.

Fermanagh were the better side in the opening half and led on three occasions during this period. However a mixture of wasteful shooting in front of goal and players taking the wrong options saw them trail at the interval by 0-4 to 0-5. Scores coming from Fermanagh's Kieran Donnelly (two) Rory Gallagher, and Ronan McCabe. Down scores were from Dan Gordan, Shane Ward and Michael Walsh and Gordon added two more in the closing stages of the half.

The second-half was much the same scenario. Fermanagh were in control, Down dug deep and took their scores when they came their way. Liam Doyle and Walsh extended Down's lead on the resumption before Fermanagh captain Raymond Gallagher's goal effort was stopped on the line. The Erne County went in search of scores but Down's rearguard held firm and reduced them to long range shots.

The game was still in the balance right to the final whistle with Benny Coulter's 55th minute point - his only score of the game giving the Mourne side that extra bit of daylight on their way to an unexpected but deserved win. Tom Brewster pointed in the 60th minute but it was to be Fermanagh's last score of the game. Gallagher struck the woodwork late on but they couldn't force a goal before the final whistle.

In the aftermatch interviews, Fermanagh boss, Dominic Corrigan admitted that it was a hugely disappointing result for them. "We had loads of possession and our defence performed well throughout the tie. However, when you don't finish off scoring opportunities you will always be in trouble. Six points won't win many matches in present-day football and we will hopefully improve in the scoring sector in the coming games. If we don't then, we could be in some trouble in the weeks ahead.''

Paddy O'Rourke was upbeat with his sides success. "We gave it a real go on this occasion, and in the end just held on for victory. It was very much a team effort to-day, with the experienced players such as Sean Ward, Gregory McCartan well to the fore, while newcomers such as Martin Cole, Dan McCartan and Dan Gordon were all well to the fore". "We are far from the finished product, and there is still a lot of work to be done, but getting a win in the opening game improves confidence in the camp, and we are now looking forward to the visit of Mayo in the second round next Sunday. No doubt, the fans will come out in large numbers to support us against Mayo, and with the pressure off somewhat, maybe we can cause another upset along the way'. "The thing we are most happy about is that we showed a lot of character in the second half to win that match", "We are please to carve out a result and get off to a winning start", added the former Down All-Ireland winning captain.

Down - M McVeigh, D McCartan, A Molloy, M Cole, J Clarke, S Ward, D Rooney, D Gordon 0-3, G McCartan, L Doyle 0-1, M Walsh 0-2, A Oprey, PP McCartan, B Coulter 0-1, S Ward 0-1.
Sub: A Devlin for O'Prey

Fermanagh - D Feely, D O'Reilly, B Owens, M Lilly, J Gilheaney, R McCluskey, H Brady, M McGrath, T Brewster 0-1, S Doherty, R Johnston, K Donnelly 0-2, R Gallagher 0-2, S Maguire, R McCabe 0-1.
Subs: C O'Reilly for Johnston, R Keenan for Maguire, G Maguire for Gilheaney

Referee: D Joyce (Galway)

Division 1B Results and League Table

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