Christy Ring Cup quarter-final: Down 1-22 London 1-13
A DOMINANT first half performance, aided by a strong breeze, was the foundation for an ultimately comfortable Down victory.
Down turned around leading 1-14 to 1-4 thanks to the accuracy of Gareth Johnson from placed balls and some composed and accurate shooting from outfield. In the second period, London narrowed the margin to seven points on one occasion, but Down were never at risk.
Down won the toss and chose to play with the stiff breeze. Conor Woods opened the Down scoring with a long range free, but, in their first attack after four minutes, Nollaig Brophy equalised.
Johnson slotted over his first point from a 65, followed by points from Michael McCullough and Danny Toner. Donal Hughes ran strongly from midfield and, from his hand pass, Johnson doubled to the London net.
When James Coyle’s stick was held, Johnson made no mistake from the dead ball, unlike Peter Phelan, who struck the upright from a 30-metre free and saw the rebound cleared to safety. Fintan Conway struck a majestic point after 18 minutes before Woods converted another long- range free.
London gained a little respite when Phelan converted a 50-metre free, but points from Toner, Dineen, Conway and Johnston (two frees) stretched the gap to 1-12 to 0-2 after 30 minutes. Phelan pulled two points back from play before Johnson added another free.
Just as the game entered additional time, Luke Hands caught a high ball on the edge of the square but was bottled up by Down defenders. To some surprise, a penalty was awarded and Bernard Gaffney lashed his shot past Stephen Keith.
There was just enough time for Woods to notch another long range score and leave the half-time score Down 1-14 London 1-4.
London started the second half in determined fashion and a series of attacks produced points from Stephen Lambert and Brophy.
Johnson was fouled but was still able to release the ball to Coyle in front of the London goal, but to Down’s frustration no advantage was allowed and they had to settle for the pointed free.
Dineen added a Down point, but Tadgh Healey and Mark O’Dwyer reduced the gap to eight points.
Poor communication in the London defence saw James Barrett’s short puck-out find Coyle, who made no mistake.
Healey again, from distance, and Luke Hands reduced the margin to seven points after 47 minutes and it seemed that London had gathered some momentum.
Egan was brought down as he moved forward and Johnson added the free.
After 50 minutes, Conor Hickey saw yellow for an innocuous foul before Donal Hughes’s strong run ended with a tidy point. Derek Morkan then pulled one back for London before Enda Cooney brought the margin back to seven.
Conway scored another fine point before Hickey picked up a deserved second yellow when he hauled down Declan McManus and Johnson made no mistake from the free.
Martin Ryan scored London’s final point before Johnson lobbed over Down’s final score of the day.
After the game, Down centre-back Conor Woods was pleased with the result but felt the team needs to raise their game for their semi-final clash with Derry on Saturday.
“Playing in Ballycran is always an advantage for Down and we were sharp during that first half,” he said.
“I felt we were a bit complacent in the second half and allowed London to get a foothold in the game but we were in control during the last 20 minutes.
“Derry at Owenbeg is going to be a further step up for us. Obviously, they are playing at a higher level and they desperately want to win this competition, so we need get some of the injured players back and patch up some of those who are carrying injuries.”
MATCH STATS
Down: S Keith; M Conlan, P Flynn, M Hughes; D McManus, C Woods (0-3 frees), M McCullough (0-1); D Hughes (0-1), F Conway (0-3); M Ennis, D Toner (0-2), S Dineen (0-2); C Egan, G Johnson (1-9, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65), J Coyle (0-1); Subs: P Sheehan for Egan (62), S Nicholson for Coyle (66), E Sands for Johnson (69).
London: J Barrett; C Hickey, L Gaule, K Fitzpatrick; T Healy (0-2), M Ryan (0-1), D Morkan (0-1); E Cooney (0-1), N Rogers; P Phelan (0-3, 0-1 free), N Brophy (0-2), S Lambert (0-1); L Hands (0-1), M O’Dwyer (0-1), B Gaffney (1-0, pen); Subs: C McAllinden for Rogers (53), M Duggan for Gaffney (55), E Collins for Hands (61) M Fitzpatrick for Gaule (67).
Referee: É Hasson (Derry).
