Down’s place in the Ulster U20 Football Championship final could be bittersweet as senior star Ryan Magill looks set to miss their Ulster Senior Championship opener against Donegal after limping off against Monaghan last night.
Magill has been in magnificent form with both teams under manager Conor Laverty and they’ll hope his injury is not as bad as first feared.
Down’s impressive win over Monaghan in Newry sets up an Ulster final against Derry, who saw off Donegal at the weekend.
Down were in a strong position going into the second half, with an emphatic eight-point lead over Monaghan. The Farney defence couldn’t live with Down’s direct attacking style.
Kilcoo’s Jason Morgan was the perfect gatherer outside the square for the lay-offs and the nippy Oisin Savage was happy to comply and he struck 1-5 in an impressive first half from Down.
Monaghan played second fiddle for much of the opening half and only for the steady and excellent free-taking from Stephen Rooney, the Farney lads would have been out of the game by the break.
Down displayed their intent early when Tom Carroll was in on goal but Monaghan’s Mark McPhilips got in the way and made a fantastic block. Carroll’s midfield partner Odhran Murdock played a stormer and he won the tussle around centrefield before opening the scoring.
Savage and Mooney traded scores before substitute Jamie Doran struck a beauty to give Down a 0-5 to 0-2 lead with the first quarter gone.
Monaghan captain Declan Byrne popped up with a fine point, shooting from distance, but Down finished the half in style. Loughinisland’s Savage had grabbed his fourth point before his instinctive volley landed in the net with 19 minutes played.
Mooney stroked over two big points to keep Monaghan in touch, but Down’s super sub Doran launched a magnificent brace from either side of the pitch to give Down a healthy and deserved 1-10 to 0-5 lead.
Mooney was denied a goal by the crossbar early in the second half before Savage, Morgan and Burren’s Harry Magill stretched Down’s lead. With 40 minutes gone, the Mourne men were coasting with a 1-14 to 0-5 lead.
Monaghan pursued the strategy of long balls into the danger zone in the hope of a gallant comeback, but Down’s Patrick McCarthy and Thomas Hardy were magnificent in defence as the home side protected their lead.
Savage finished with 1-7, before being taken off as the heavens opened.
Monaghan’s Niall Rice and Conor Eccles got their names on the scoresheet before Mooney’s efforts were duly rewarded with a late goal.
However, even with six additional minutes, there was no way back for the Farney men and this Down team will be confident of going all the way.
