The Down U-16's had a day to remember on
Wednesday the 16th of July. They were lucky
enough to be invited to Croke Park, home
of the GAA, and one of the most impressive
stadiums in the world, to play Monaghan
and Cavan in two challenge games.
In the first game against Monaghan Down
flew out of the blocks and swamped their
opponents in all quarters. Centre Half Forward
Danny Savage scored 1-3 form play (1-5 in
total), whilst Ryan O'Hare (2), Cillian
Laverty, JJ McLaughlin added further points
to give Down a deserved half time lead of
1-6 to 0-2. The second saw Down pick up
where they left off and attacking the famous
Hill 16 end, they tagged on further points
from Savage (2), Matty Bagnall, Ryan O'Hare
(2), Niall McParland (2), and Colm Maginn.
Monaghan could only add on two points to
leave the full time score 1-14 to 0-4.
The second game against Cavan was a much
tighter affair with Down fielding an entirely
different 15 and using the whole squad over
both games. Rory King got Down off the mark
with 3 well taken points and livewire corner
forward David Gilmore added 2 more. Cavan
were playing well also and got themselves
3 points to leave just two in it at the
break. Cavan started the second period brightly
with a fine goal to move a point ahead.
The Down boys responded in stunning fashion
with a point from Ollie McClean and then
a vital goal from Gilmore after Niall Cunnigham's
free kick had come off the post. Jerome
Johnston and King added another point apiece
to move Down five points ahead. Cavan continued
to battle and added two more points to leave
just three in it at the finish.
Final score 1-8 to 1-5.
All members of the squad acquited themselves
superbly and certainly backed up the notion
that Down teams are made to play in Croke
Park, winning with style in two very constrating
displays. The first game saw Down cut swathes
through Monaghan with pace and fine passing,
whilst the second game saw Down dig in and
play their way out of danger for a deserved
win against Cavan. Hopefully this squad
will be back in Croker in two years time
for a tilt at All-Ireland glory at Minor
level.
The squad consists of the following players:
Kieran Maguire (Aghaderg/Tullylish), Declan
McGreevey (Annaclone), Chris Armstrong (Ardglass),
David Kearney (Ardglass), Kealan Haughey
(Ballyholland), Rory Keenan (Ballyholland),
Ryan O'Hare (Ballymartin), Emmett Costello
(Bredagh), Marc Harbinson (Bryansford),
Danny Savage (Bryansford), Thomas Farrell
(Burren), Gary Fitzpatrick (Burren), Matthew
Rooney (Burren), David Gilmore (Castlewellan),
Tony McGreevey (Clonduff), Fintan Kelly
(Dromara), Conrad Hynes (Drumgath), Colm
Maginn (Drumgath), Niall McParland (Glenn),
Matthew Bagnall (Glenn), Ollie McClean (Kilcoo),
Cillian Laverty (Kilcoo), Jerome Johnston
(Kilcoo), JJ McLaughlin (Kilcoo), Rory King
(Loughinisland), Christopher Quinn (Newry
Bosco), Niall Cunnigham (Shamrocks), Daryl
Morgan (Shamrocks), Issac McCauley (RGU
Downpatrick), Eamon Magee (Saval), Jevis
Quinn (St. Michaels/Tullylish), Daniel McKay
(St. John's), Harry McMullan (St. John's),
Michael Monan (Teconnaught), Niall Donnelly
(Tullylish), Niall Madine (Saval). A special
word of praise must go runner on the day,
Eamon Morgan.
The squad are coached by Andy Moohan, Barney
Cunningham, John Kennedy and Declan Morgan.
