Wicklow 0-13 Down 0-18

BELFAST TELEGRAPH

Brendan Lawrence
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/down/dynamic-down-leave-wicklow-wondering-what-might-have-been-after-missed-goal-chances/a830132857.html

A powerful second-half showing helped Conor Laverty’s Down to a convincing victory over Wicklow in a dark and dreary Echelon Park Aughrim on Sunday afternoon.

Four points on the bounce immediately after the restart sent the visitors out to a double-score lead at 0-14 to 0-7 and left Oisin Mcconville’s side with a mountain to climb.

It all looked so differently at the break when Wicklow headed in trailing by three having played against the wind and missed three goal chances.

A sense of optimism prevailed over the decent home support who huddled together in the stand for warmth on a bitterly cold afternoon, but points from Pierce Laverty, two peaches from the electric Pat Havern and a stunning single from temporary substitute Rory Mason in the opening 10 minutes of the second half was like a pin to a child’s balloon.

The visitors started well, racing out to a 0-3 to 0-0 lead, Liam Kerr (mark), Oisin Savage and Kerr again (free) getting Conor Laverty’s charges off to a flying start, with Daniel Guinneas lighting up a dark afternoon from centre-back.

But Wicklow were in good form, replying through JP Nolan (free) and Chris O’Brien and highlighting weaknesses in the Down defence with those three missed goal chances.

Good showings from Matt Nolan, Joe Prendergast, Paddy O’Keane and Dean Healy helped to hold the Down side and set up what looked to be a potentially fruitful second half with the wind at Wicklow’s backs.

However, that electric start from the Mourne men, the loss of Chris O’Brien to injury after nine of the second half and a lack of any real attacking threat in the second 35 from the Garden County left Down running out convincing winners for the perfect start to their Division 3 campaign.

Wicklow: Shane Doyle; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Jack Tracey; Joe Prendergast, Paddy O’Keane, Jacques McCall; Dean Healy, Craig Maguire; Chris O’Brien (0-5, 4f), JP Nolan (0-1, f), Cathal Baker; Brian Nesbitt (0-3, 2f), Kevin Quinn (0-4, 1m, 2f), Johnny Carlin. Subs: Oisin McGraynor for C O’Brien (44, inj), Gearoid Murphy for JP Nolan (50), Declan Doyle for J Carlin (55), Gavin Fogarty for J McCall (62), Darragh Fee for C Baker (62)

Down: John O’Hare; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty (0-1), Ryan McEvoy; Finn McElroy (0-1), Daniel Guinneas (0-4), Paddy McCarthy; Odhran Murdock (0-1), Johny Flynn; Ryan Magill, Liam Kerr (0-3, 1m, 1f), James Guinneas; Gareth McKibben, Pat Havern (0-5), Oisin Savage (0-1). Subs: Shealan Johnston for J Guinneas (28), Conor McCrickard for G McKibben (32), Connor Francis for F McElroy (H/T), Rory Mason (0-2, 1f) for L Kerr (temp, 44, reversed after 50), Rory Mason for O Savage (65), Ryan Magill for N McPartland (62). Anthony Doherty for L Kerr, 68, inj).

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath)