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 Down
see off Westmeath - 09/03/03
Allianz
National Hurling League Division 2A
Westmeath
0-11 v Down 1-15 
@
2.30 p.m. Mullingar on Sunday 9th March 2003
Down recovered from a poor start to claim
their first victory of the National Hurling League Division
2A campaign at Westmeath's expense in Mullingar. Despite
being reliant on Paul Braniff and Martin Coulter jnr for
much of their scores - the pair notched 0-13 between them
- Down were full value for a win that puts them back in
the promotion hunt.
Favoured by a strong wind in the first
half, the home side led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the
first quarter, but a flurry of scores helped Down to a 0-8
to 0-6 lead at half-time and they were never troubled after
wing back Barry Milligan rifled a 25 metres free to the
net just after the restart. Westmeath were quickest out
of the starting blocks with points from Brendan Murtagh
(two), Andrew Mitchell (two) and Barry Kennedy propelling
them into an early 0-5 to 0-2 lead. But the Mournemen then
enjoyed a fine spell of dominance which yielded unanswered
scores from Coulter (two), Braniff (two), Gerard McGrattan
and Gareth Johnson. John Shaw replied with a point for Westmeath
to leave two in it at half-time.
Down took a firm grip on proceedings when
Milligan scored the only goal three minutes after the restart.
A Coulter point stretched their advantage to 1-9 to 0-6
before scores from substitute Paul Williams and Kennedy
kept Westmeath in touch. Further points from Coulter and
Braniff (two) gave the visitors a seven-point cushion entering
the closing stages. Mitchell responded with a brace of points
for Westmeath, but fittingly, top scorer Braniff had the
final say for Down.
League
Table Senior Hurling - Division 2A
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