A LAST-MINUTE goal by Dublin’s Darren Ducie gave his side a narrow win over a depleted Down in this senior football challenge game at Newry.
Although both camps fielded understrength sides the football was always fast and exciting with passages of good play and excellent scores.
Dublin however, looked the more settled side and certainly showed the greater awareness and sharpness throughout.
Down on the other hand despite having midfield advantage through Conor Deegan and Jarlath Austin lacked an accurate free-taker with at least a dozen chances being sent wide by a variety of place-kickers.
Making a welcome return for Down was Gary Mason at full-back who had an outstanding game while U21 keeper Peter Travers showed up well in the left corner.
In a wasteful attack Mickey Linden, until he limped out of the game late in the second half, Gerard Deegan and star of the match John Treanor certainly gave the Dublin defence a serious examination.
Down: M McVeigh; L Howlett, G Mason, P Travers; K Blaney (0-1), S Poland, C Murray; J Austin, C Deegan (0-1); R Carr (0-1), J Treanor (0-1), A Farrell; M Linden (0-4), G Deegan (1-1), T McMahon.
Sub: S Caulfield for M Linden.
Dublin: D Byrne; P Moran, P Feehan, J O’Callaghan; D Harrington, K Barr (0-1), E
Hearey (0-1); K Roe, D Holman (0-1); E Sheehy, D Ducie (1-0), C Redmond (0-4); B Gogarty (0-4); B Gogarty (0-1), M Doran (0-1), R Cosgrave (0-2).
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JORDANSTOWN brought Sligo’s unbeaten Ryan Cup run to an end with a 2-12 to 1-8 win on Saturday.
An impressive second-half display securing full points for the home side and it was a super showing from half-time sub Joe Cassidy which ensured the victory.
The Bellaghy man notched up a personal tally of 1-3 in his half-hour of action and only a fine save by RTC keeper Sean Smith denied him another goal.
For a mid-winter varsities encounter, the game was uncharacteristically free-flowing, with both sides exhibiting some fine score-taking skills.
UUJ: D Hasson, B Sheehan, M Doyle, N McAllister, F Caulfield, L Duggan, A Morris, B Duffy, J McEntee (0-2), K Donnelly (0-2), T McEntee (0-1), A Cunningham, C Higgins (0-2), S King (0-2), C Short (1-0).
Subs: J Cassidy (1-3) for King, D O’Neill for Doyle, S Lockhart for Duffy
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FORMER Tyrone captain Ciaran Corr has been recalled to the county squad, and James McHugh is back in the Donegal panel for the first time this season.
Both played in a lively friendly at Strabane, when a crowd of more than 1,500 watched Tyrone come from 10 points behind to snatch a narrow 2-12 to 2-11 victory.
Tyrone: J Cassidy, D Hagan, P O’Neill, C Lawn, B McGinn, F Logan, S McLaughlin (0-1), J Gormley, E Fitpatrick, S Lawn (1-2), N Donnelly (0-1), B Gormley (0-2), S Conway, C McBride (1-0), E Gormley (0-6).
Subs: C Corr for J Gormley, F Devlin for McGinn, J Gormley for Conway.
Donegal: P Callaghan, P McGinley, M Shovlin, S McEwan, O Reid (0-1), J Cunningham, D McNamara, B McLaughlin, M Coll, P Hegarty (0-1), J McHugh (0-2), M Boyle (0-2), B Roper (1-1), A Sweeney (0-2), R McLaughlin (1-2).
Subs: B Murray for B McLaughlin, S McGinty for McEwan, M Crossan for Reid.
