Sport

Analysis of Down's Ulster semi-final win over Monaghan

Rory Beggan can't stop Darragh O'Hanlon's penalty early in the second half, the major turning point of the match
Rory Beggan can't stop Darragh O'Hanlon's penalty early in the second half, the major turning point of the match Rory Beggan can't stop Darragh O'Hanlon's penalty early in the second half, the major turning point of the match

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT DOWN

THERE is substance. It was easy to motivate themselves for Armagh but this was a different challenge altogether. They came with a gameplan that worked to perfection and they drew great confidence from that early on. We’ve always known they are blessed with great pace but one of the most impressive facets on Saturday evening was their physicality. They won every 50-50 ball at midfield and stopped Monaghan going through the middle of their defence on all but a couple of occasions. Connaire Harrison’s displays have been understated and he will be a marked man heading into the Ulster final with Tyrone. That they’ve had the luxury of bringing Aidan Carr, Mark Poland and Donal O’Hare off the bench, and are without Benny McArdle and Ryan McAleenan, shows just how far they have come.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT MONAGHAN

IT’S easy to put this down to complacency but their performance didn’t bear those hallmarks. Monaghan started very brightly but took just two of their nine scoring chances in the first 12 minutes, when kicking into a tricky wind. But there was an element of taking Down lightly in the decision to drop Gavin Doogan. His hard-tackling presence was sorely missed inside their own 45 as Down cut repeatedly through the middle and always looked the more likely side to score a goal. The system they play can be hugely effective on a good day but if they’re not at their very peak, games can become an awful struggle as this one did. But at least Conor McManus is still the best forward in Ireland.

TOP SCORE

AN easy choice. Frustrated with Monaghan’s start to the game, Conor McManus finally brushed off Gerard McGovern along the stand side, flicked the ball into his hands at full pace. He cut in onto his allegedly weaker left side and thundered over a marvellous point that some Down supporters grudgingly applauded. It left Monaghan trailing by just two points at the break [0-10 to 0-8].

REF WATCH

David Coldrick (Meath) and Patrick Neilan (Roscommon)

INJURY meant David Coldrick lasted until half-time and up to that point was doing okay. Down might have got one or two soft frees but then so too did Monaghan in the second half when Neilan replaced Coldrick. In fairness, it was a tough ask for Neilan to come in at the break. But he did get the penalty call right.

KEY BATTLE

Drew Wylie (Monaghan) v Connaire Harrison (Down)

IN the modern game with packed defences, you rarely see a one-on-one duel on the edge of the square, but Saturday night was a throwback to a different time. And what an enthralling battle this was between Drew Wylie and Connaire Harrison. The day you get the better of Wylie is a rare thing. Harrison was sublime, though. Unafraid of Wylie's physicality, the Glasdrumman man hit three brilliant points in the first half before injury ended his night in the 54th minute.

TURNING POINT

UNDOUBTEDLY, Darragh O’Hanlon’s converted penalty in the 43rd minute gave Down the belief that they could upset the odds and reach their first Ulster final since 2012. O’Hanlon’s major put the Mournemen 1-12 to 0-8 ahead. That margin proved just about enough for Eamonn Burns’ men.