Football

Down will have to stay patient to see off dogged Roscommon

Forward Ruairi O'Hare, who scored the first goal in Down's Ulster final victory over Monaghan, will pose a major threat to the Roscommon rearguard at Kingspan Breffni this evening. Picture by Hugh Russell
Forward Ruairi O'Hare, who scored the first goal in Down's Ulster final victory over Monaghan, will pose a major threat to the Roscommon rearguard at Kingspan Breffni this evening. Picture by Hugh Russell Forward Ruairi O'Hare, who scored the first goal in Down's Ulster final victory over Monaghan, will pose a major threat to the Roscommon rearguard at Kingspan Breffni this evening. Picture by Hugh Russell

EirGrid All-Ireland U20 semi-final: Down v Roscommon (tonight, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm, live on TG4)

WITH little to cheer since the glory days of the early 1990s, it doesn’t take much to get the Down faithful excited – and the buzz about the county over the past couple of months has been difficult to ignore.

The truth is it stretches back to before the Ulster U20 Championship had begun. Even before the seniors were dismantled by Donegal, prompting the usual questions about where Down are headed and why they seem to be falling further behind the chasing pack in Ulster.

Just as word went around about the group of minors coming through in 1999 - spearheaded by the likes of Benny Coulter, Michael Walsh and Liam Doyle - this U20 group was being talked up long before they took the field against Fermanagh last month.

The level of interest in taking the manager’s post last December told its own story too.

Despite a host of quality candidates, the Down County Board opted for one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the country in Conor Laverty. The strong Kilcoo spine that runs through the panel may have helped tip the scales in his favour but the Magpies stalwart had already assembled an all star backroom team, including legendary former Meath manager Sean Boylan and ex-Down star Marty Clarke, that showed he meant business.

All they had to do now was justify the hype that was rumbling below the surface – and they have, in spades, springing out of the traps with impressive victories over Cavan and Fermanagh.

Last week’s Ulster final against Monaghan, delayed following the tragic passing of Farney captain Brendan Og Duffy after their semi-final victory after Donegal, was a different story.

It swayed back and forth across a dramatic evening; there would be no runaway success this time. Instead, Down had to dig deep in extra-time to edge themselves across the line.

After the relative ease of their previous wins, coming out the right side of such an emotionally-charged encounter can shape a side’s destiny. Indeed, it is that doggedness which has seen Laverty’s Kilcoo shade so many games that hung in the balance through the years, a hallmark of champions he has tried to instill in this group.

The heavy rain forecast for Kingspan Breffni tonight could lead to another game where best laid plans fall by the wayside, and whoever masters the conditions first will be well on the way. Both Laverty and his Rossies counterpart Liam Tully – who has drafted in Ruaidhrí Fallon for half-back Cian Glennon as well as midfielder Enda Crawley - will be aware of the need to adapt straight from the throw-in.

Then there is the quick turnaround. It was back on July 21 that Roscommon blew away a fancied Mayo side in their provincial decider, nine days before Down’s postponed clash with the Farney eventually went ahead.

Could that be a factor? Or will the Mournemen use that momentum to their advantage?

The Rossies will have had plenty of time to run the rule over tonight’s opponents, and will be aware that Down possess scoring threats all over the field - from wing-backs Tom Smyth and Anthony Morgan to Tom Close in the middle, Danny Magill, captain Shealan Johnston, Andrew Gilmore and O’Hare in the forwards, Justin Clarke off the bench.

Then there is the superb John McGovern, who has been instrumental in Down’s run to this stage. The Ballyholland clubman also plays soccer for Newry City, whose NIFL Championship campaign gets under way against Knockbreda today, but McGovern has been given the green light to focus his attentions on county duty for the time being.

Conor Laverty brought legendary former Meath manager Sean Boylan on board to help out with the Down U20s this year. Picture by Philip Walsh
Conor Laverty brought legendary former Meath manager Sean Boylan on board to help out with the Down U20s this year. Picture by Philip Walsh Conor Laverty brought legendary former Meath manager Sean Boylan on board to help out with the Down U20s this year. Picture by Philip Walsh

That is a huge boost because, despite being installed as 1/2 favourites with the bookies, the Mournemen are facing a serious Roscommon side who will be fancying an All-Ireland final crack at Offaly next Sunday.

The fact that game will take place at Croke Park as a curtain-raiser to the senior semi between Tyrone and Kerry adds further incentive, as if it were needed.

To put Roscommon’s rise into context, they beat the men who beat the men. Before a ball was kicked in this campaign, Galway were seen as the county to beat. When they were stunned by Mayo in the Connacht semi-final, 11 of the Tribe starting 15 had played a part in last December’s All-Ireland final victory over Dublin.

Few gave the Rossies a hope heading into the decider, but they went behind enemy lines and produced a magnificent display at MacHale Park - outscoring their hosts by 2-10 to 0-2 between the first half water break and the 55th minute of the contest to seal the deal.

The goals from James Fitzpatrick and Adam McDermott may have grabbed the attention, but Mayo were simply unable to handle Roscommon’s intensity and discipline in the tackle as time after time they were turned over by a brilliant defensive unit led by Conor Lohan and captain Colin Walsh.

Mayo kicked nine wides in a soul destroying first half – Down will know they have to stay patient. They cannot afford to fall into the Rossies’ trap but, having travelled this road so many times in their own careers, there can be no better men than Boylan, Laverty and Clarke to keep heads calm going into battle.

Having an All-Ireland final to look forward would give some lift to a county starved of success for too long, and these young men are capable of carrying that expectation on their shoulders.

TEAMS

Down: TBC

Roscommon: C Carroll; C Lohan, C Walsh, D Gaughan; P Gavin, T Crean, R Fallon; K Doyle, E Crawley; R Dolan, J Fitzpatrick, D Cregg; A McDermott, B O’Carroll, D Heneghan