Conor McGurk Cup: Armagh 2-18 Down 2-19
DOWN held out for a one-point opening win in the Conor McGurk Cup despite Armagh’s late rally last night.
Free entry into the Athletic Grounds helped encourage a decent crowd to withstand the cold and the display on the pitch warmed both sets of fans with optimism for the season ahead.
Ronan Sheehan’s side were always going to be favourites as they have increased the gulf between sides under his guidance.
From losing the Division 2B final to the Orchard in 2016, the Mourne hurlers are now pushing for promotion from Division 2A and playing in the Joe McDonagh Cup, while Armagh have since dropped to Division 3A.
Down led by 10 points at half-time (1-16 to 1-6). It was no surprise as the experienced and lethal full-forward line of Oisin McManus, Eoghan Sands and Pearse Og McCrickard proved quite a handful for some of Armagh’s players such as Paddy Quinn and Caolan Rice making their introduction to the senior panel under manager Tada O’Connor.
Armagh were missing the defensive stewardship of Newry Shamrocks’ Artie McGuinness, for whom O’Connor says the door is open for a return later in the season.
A bedrock over the past seven years, McGuinness’ boots won’t be easy filled.
But it was his club-mate Paul Sheehan who kept the Down scoreboard ticking over. Manus bagged the goal on 18 minutes to give Down a 1-7 to 0-4 lead, with Danny Magee grabbing the early scores for Armagh.
Down continued to push ahead but a converted penalty from Orchard goalkeeper Simon McCoy before the break cut the gap to 10 points.
The young Armagh side got a better grip of the game in the second half, with Magee, Martin Moan, Tiarnan Nevin and Nathan Curry all registering points.
Down’s Jordan Doran, Matt Conlan, John McManus and Donal Hughes all impressed and when PJ Davidson rattled home the second goal, the Mournemen looked home and hosed with 2-17 to 1-12 lead at the second water break.
But Armagh made them sweat a little more because young Shea Harvey struck the Down net five minutes from time after the Mourne defence failed to deal with Jim Shortt’s high delivery to the edge of the square.
Two further points from the lively Danny Magee and another from Curry left only two points between the teams in additional time and Armagh smelt blood.
The visitors were down to 14 men following Doran’s sending off and Curry made it a one-point game but Down held on.
Down take the trip to the Dub to play Queen’s on Saturday, while Armagh welcome Louth to the Athletic Grounds tomorrow evening in the next round of the competition.
