Down Gaa The Official Site of
DownGAA
Back

Down GAA News

Down Hurlers defeat Derry in Christy Ring

Saturday 30th April 2016

In round 2B, Down dumped Derry out of the running for the Christy Ring when inflicting a 1-18 to 1-15 defeat on the hosts in Owenbeg, with Down scoring their goal at the start of the second half.  The victory means Down assured themselves of Christy Ring participation next season as well as progressing to the next round of this year's competition.

The Oak Leafers went in at the break with a slender 1-07 to 0-09 advantage thanks to an Oisin McCloskey's goal but last year's finalists were left to rue a number of squandered scoring opportunities at the final whistle.

When Ruairi Convery nailed a monstrous 70th-minute free, it levelled this tight encounter for the seventh time with extra time on everyone's minds. However, the Ardsmen converted three quick scores in injury time to edge themselves over the finishing line, 1-18 to 1-15.

Defeats last week at the hands of Roscommon and London respectively had paired Derry and Down in a winner-takes-all battle and while the hurling on show was far from vintage, the intensity rarely flagged.

Contrary to the abysmal season the home side have endured, Derry began the brightest with Shane Farren handing them a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after five minutes. Down retaliated though with points from Aaron O'Prey, Danny Toner and Brook Byers.

However, when Oisin McCloskey took a superb catch and drilled the ball into the back of the net in the 10th minute, it regained the lead for Derry, which stretched to four points with a Ruairi Convery point.

After that Down enjoyed their best phase of the game and scored six of the next seven points with newcomer Oisin McManus outstanding at corner-forward.

Trailing by a point, the Oak Leaf county responded late in the half with points from Convery and Farren returning the single-point advantage to the home side at the break, leading 1-7 to 0-9.

All square at 1-15 apiece in injury time, Michael Johnston's side then added the three late points.