By Patrick Murphy - DOWN GAA HURLING PRO

Down’s 2 minor hurling teams performed well against Tyrone and Fermanagh on Saturday past.  The “A” team overran a poor Tyrone team in Ballycran whilst the B teams won a tough match against Fermanagh at An Riocht.

The A team led Tyrone by 5 11 to 0 1 at half time .the Tyrone point coming in the last minute of play.  Down may have dominated the first half scoring but Tyrone battled hard and were let down by an ineffective forward line.  The Down forward line on the other hand ran riot in the first half thanks to the quality and quantity of ball supplied from the halfbacks and the midfield partnership of Woods and Keith.

Tyrone started the second half brightly and hit 1-2 with out reply in the first 5 minutes.  Down weathered the storm and lashed back viciously, repeatedly overrunning the Tyrone defence and scoring goals at will. 

Down manager Mick Branniff was pleased with the way the team played especially in the second half.  “We nearly let them back into it at the start of the second half , but we didn’t, the lads kept their minds focused on the win” he said.

The Minor B hurling team won their match in An Riocht against Fermanagh 1-16 to 3-6.  Paul McAleenan at midfield was the star of the team on the day scoring 1-6 (including 2 frees and a penalty) and had a tireless work rate through out.  Also worthy of mention were  Paul O Neill also at midfieldand the 2 Courtneys, one at centre-half back and the other at full forward.

Down looked to be cruising to victory mid way throught the second half but late goals from Fermanagh made for an interesting finish.  The B team play away to Antrim in Randalstown next Saturday. 

Down Minor A team
D Ennis, B Toner, A O’Prey, T Mc Manus, K Fitzgerald, P Flynn, Donal Ennis, C Woods, P Keith, A Clarke, C Gilmore, C Conlon, G Mc Call, N Fowler, S Nicholson

Subs Used:  M Taylor, J Coyle, S Conlon

Down Minor B team
M Fegan, D. Nugent, A Higgins, M O’Hare, M Rafferty, G Courtney, B Grant, C O’Neill (0-1), P McAleenan (1-6), T Lennon (0-1), C Beatty, M Cunningham (0-2),  C McLory (0-1), S Courtney (0-1), D Grant (0-3).

Subs used: C Hughes, M Devlin,(0-1) C White M McAfee