By Patrick Murphy

 
Brendan McGourty's shot about to be bundled to the net

Down made heavy weather of beating Mayo in the Christy Ring Cup in Ballycran on Saturday.    Playing in front of a mere 70 spectators, Down opened up an early lead through two points from Johnston and one from Wilson.

In spite of the fact Mayo played the first half without two of their first choice 15 (they missed the boat and drove around by Newtownards in time for the second half) it was they who looked the more dangerous. 

After ten minutes Mayo’s centre forward, Paul Broderick, had the ball in the Down net and the home team struggled to find any rhythm or pattern to their play for the next half hour.  With five minutes left in the first half Down trailed by 1-9 to 0-6 and had Mayo’s free-taking been more accurate the margin could easily have been 10 points.

But luck was with Down.  A free from McGourty bounced wickedly in the square and although it crossed the line, the umpires did not award the score until Kieran Courtney got a touch just ahead of Paddy Coulter to bundle the ball into the net for a second time.  A point from a Gareth Johnston free immediately afterwards left the home side trailing by a mere two points at half-time, on a score of 1-9 to 1-7.

 
Rauri Mcgratten making an impressive first start of the year

On the restart Mayo picked off another point and, had it not been for a fine save from Graham Clarke, the second half could have been a repeat of the first.  But points from Johnston and McGourty brought Down level and a well-taken goal by McGourty gave the home team a lead which it never lost.

Paddy Hughes and Mayo’s Paul Broderick were given straight red cards after 20 minutes and the extra space gave the Down men a chance to hurl for the first time – which begs the question as to why Down picked the tight Ballycran pitch as their home venue when a more spacious pitch would have suited them better.

Recent recall to the panel Simon Wilson had a solid game

Just when it looked like Down were coasting to a comfortable victory Mayo sneaked in for a goal and a point to leave the final score 2-19 to 2-11.

Despite the impressive final scoreline Down should focus on and learn from the several periods of the match where they were out-hurled.  If Down are to win their next match, away to a much stronger Kerry side, they must improve on the basics.  Their touch often let them down, their system of play was unclear and the team are far from a cohesive unit.  

Down’s win over Mayo and Meath’s win over Kerry has left this Christy Ring group wide open.  If Down are to get through to the knock out stages nothing short of a win away to Kerry next Saturday is essential.

Down: Graham Clarke, Liam Clarke, Stephen Murray (Capt)(0-1), Fintan Conway (0-1), Michael Ennis, Paddy Hughes, Ruairi McGrattan, Andy Savage (0-1), Gabriel Clarke, Brendan McGourty (1-6), Kieran Courtney (1-0) (Ciaran Coulter, 50mins, 0-1) ), Simon Wilson (0-4, 0-3 frees), Eoin Clarke, Gareth Johnston (0-6, 0-2 frees), Paddy Coulter (Sean Ennis 45).