Ulster SFC: formidable Farney dismantle dismal Down

Sunday 5th June 2016

Holders Monaghan are safely through to the last four in Ulster after a comfortable 2-22 to 0-9 defeat of Down in the stifling heat at Clones.

While the first half was tight, Malachy O’Rourke’s well-oiled side – bidding for a third Anglo-Celt Cup in four years – eased away upon the resumption, outscoring their hapless opponents by 2-13 to 0-3 after the restart to set up a semi-final date with either Donegal or Fermanagh.

The Ulster champions had eleven different scorers today, dispelling any notions that they are a one-man team. Having said that, the man in question chipped in with eight points! As for Down, they go into the Qualifiers now with their tails very much between their legs.

Having been totally outplayed, the victors somehow managed to carry a 0-9 to 0-6 lead into the interval, with McManus slotting four first-half frees while Down registered eight wides before the break.

The Mourne County started brightly to lead by four points to two at the midway stage in the opening period but a brace of McManus frees from either side and a Shane Carey effort on the run had the holders ahead by the odd point from nine by the 20^th minute.

Mark Poland weaved his way through the Monaghan defence to poke over the equaliser from a central position as the sides were level for the fourth time, 0-5 apiece. McManus popped over the softest of frees to re-establish the Farney’s superiority but Down continued to dominate and, after a flurry of wides, eventually drew level again courtesy of an exquisite Conor Maginn strike off the outside of the right foot on 27 minutes.

Down’s start was impressive: Kieran Hughes and Barry O’Hagan had swapped the opening scores before Maginn and Hughes exchanged points; a brace of stunning Darragh O’Hanlon frees from distance had the underdogs ahead by double scores after 16 minutes – a great start for Eamonn Burns’ team.

The visitors were completely on top but a first-half wides tally of eight (opposed to two for the hosts) came back to haunt them as Monaghan registered two points inside a minute from McManus (soft free) and Dermot Malone before the Ulster champions’ All Star attacker arrowed over an injury-time free to leave three between the teams as they departed for a breather.

The losers brought Donal O’Hare off the bench for the second half and he announced his arrival by slotting a free, but Monaghan replied with points from Ryan McAnespie, McManus, Karl O’Connell and Conor McCarthy to double their half-time lead by the 46^th minute, 0-13 to 0-7.

McCarthy and goalkeeper Rory Beggan added further frees as the holders’ lead soared to eight points with 16 minutes remaining. Beggan speared over his second successive free and the goal arrived in the 57^th minute when McManus flicked the ball down to Hughes, who planted a left-footed rocket past Stephen Kane to the back of the net – 1-16 to 0-7.

With twelve minutes left, veteran Paul Finlay was sprung from the bench for his first Monaghan appearance of the year; McManus (free) and O’Hare traded points before another stalwart – Dick Clerkin – came in for a cameo appearance.

Substitute Owen Duffy calmly slotted the winners’ second goal four minutes from the end, following an exchange between Connaire Harrison (free) and Daniel McKenna, and Beggan lofted over his third successful free of the second half before McKenna pointed within seconds to leave seventeen points between the teams.

McManus stroked over his team’s 21^st point on the stroke of 70 minutes; Beggan denied Down a consolation goal deep into added time; and Clerkin helped himself to a point as the most one-sided of encounters petered to its inevitable conclusion.

Monaghan - R Beggan (0-3, 2f, 1'45); K Duffy, D Wylie, R Wylie; D Mone, C Walshe, V Corey; K O'Connell (0-1), D Hughes; S Carey (0-1), D Malone (0-1), R McAnespie (0-1); C McCarthy (0-2, 1f), K Hughes (1-2), C McManus (0-8, 6f). Subs: O Duffy (1-0) for R McAnespie, F Kelly for D Mone, P Finlay for K Hughes, D McKenna (0-2) for C McCarthy, D Clerkin (0-1) for V Corey, T Kerr for S Carey.

Down - S Kane; G Collins, G McGovern, D O'Hagan; D McKibbin, A Carr, D O'Hanlon (0-2f); P Turley, K McKernan; C Maginn (0-2), M Poland (0-1), J Murphy; C McGovern, C Harrison, B O'Hagan (0-1). Subs: D O'Hare (0-2, 1f) for B O'Hagan, H Brown for P Turley (BC), P Devlin (0-1f) for J Murphy, J Flynn for D McKibbin, D Turley for G Collins, R Mallon for C Maginn.

Referee - C Lane.