Disappointing end to the championship season

Down senior footballers are out of the All-Ireland SFC race when on Saturday evening, 7th of July at Pairc Esler, Newry they were convincingly defeated by visiting Meath in what was a lack-lustre encounter on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-8.

Prior to the start of the game there was high hopes amongst the big home support that Ross Carr’s side would give the Royals a real game of it, and maybe turn them over. However, it was not to be, as Meath without having to play to their best were always in command, and their tasks was made that much easier by an inept performance by the home side, especially in attack. How this Down side could have done with an O’Neill, Doherty or Linden on this occasion – a player that could take the game by the scruff of the neck. Their talisman Benny Coulter tried hard in the opening half but as the game progressed he ran out of help and in the end it was a lost cause.

Both sides found it hard to settle and at the break there was little between the sides with Meath ahead by 1-4 to 0-4 – with the home side having a real shout for a penalty when Benny Coulter seemed to be brought down in the area. Galway referee ignored the claims for a spot-kick much to the annoyance of the Down players, officials and supporters.
Meath without playing to their full potential slowly by surely upped their performance in the third quarter and by the 56th minute of the game they were very much in command leading by 1-9 to 0-5. Down put in a late effort to reduce the leeway but with the finishing line in sight and driven on by their inspirational captain, Anthony Moyles the Royals were not going to be denied and were convincing winners in the end by five points.

Meath now go through to the next round of the qualifiers on Saturday, 14th of July and a home meeting with Fermanagh in Pairc Tailteann knowing they will have to up their performance a good deal on this Newry display. However, in saying that they came to Pairc Esler with the sole purpose of getting the win, and they achieved that without much bother.

Down on the otherhand have ended the championship season on a low note. After showing some promise in the Cavan and Monaghan games, they didn’t build on that promise. The players and their management team of Ross Carr and D. J. Kane have a long, hard road ahead of them if they are to make the Mourne county a major force once again.

Down – B. McVeigh; John Clarke, D. Rooney, A. Scullion; Ronan Murtagh, Brendan Grant, M. Cole; Dan Gordon, J. Lynch; James McGovern, A. Carr 0-7 all from frees, Ronan Sexton; M. Walsh, S. Kearney, Benny Coulter 0-1.
Subs – K. McGuigan for B. Grant; P. Murphy for M. Cole; Ambrose Rodgers for S. Kearney; P. McComiskey for M. Walsh.

Meath – Brendan Murphy; E. Harrington, Darren Fay, N. McKeigue; Seamus Kenny, Anthony Moyles 0-3, C. King; M. Ward, Nigel Crawford; J. Donegan, K. Reilly, P. Byrne 1-0; S. Bray 0-3, Shane O’Rourke 0-1, Brian Farrell 0-2, 2 frees.
Subs – N. McLoughlin 0-1 for J. Donegan; C. McCarthy for Nigel Crawford.

Referee – P. McGovern from Galway.