DOWN REVIEW – Downs and ups for the Mourne county

1: Collapse against Cavan in semi-final

WE’RE over a month past it and Paddy Tally and the Down players are probably still wondering how they did not make it through to this year’s Ulster final. Cavan were their semi-final opponents at the Athletic Grounds and for the majority of the first half the Mourne county ran all over them. With Jerome Johnston prominent and Ceilum Doherty blasting home an early goal, that dominance was reflected on the scoreboard too as Down led by 10 points coming up to half time and by eight points at the interval. Then the momentum shifted and Down could barely get out of their own half. They hit four points after the break while Cavan scored 1-10 as Down just couldn’t find a way to halt them. They did create one great goal chance that would have killed the contest, but Conor Poland and Paul Devlin got in a muddle and it was passed up. The fact that Cavan went onto to lift the Anglo Celt probably didn’t help matters.

2: Hurlers cause a shock

THE fact that Offaly, four-time All-Ireland champions, were operating in the Christy Ring Cup was a story in itself, and it was widely accepted that they would saunter to the title and secure a return to tier two. Little seemed off with that prediction when they met Derry in Round 2B (they were in the backdoor due to conceding a game because of Covid) and put up a 32 tally. Back to Newry they came for a semi-final with Down in what was expected to be a trickier test, but still a one-sided contest. Down boss Ronan Sheehan had said that eight times out of 10, they lose – but on those other two occasions they have a chance. Well it just happened to be one of those days and after Ofally hit two late scores to force extra-time, the game went to penalties. It was the first in the history of the All-Ireland Championship and goalkeeper Stephen Keith was the hero as he saved some efforts and scored the winner in the 3-2 success. It was a pity they lost the final to Kildare.

3: An unusual move up the ranks for Mourne

WHEN it was announced that GAA games were returning post lockdown, all counties – including Down – looked at their fixtures to see how they could make the most of their final two National League games. Down were in a super position in Division Three but they needed to finish the job, or so they thought. In fact, Paddy Tally’s side were promoted before they had even kicked a ball. That was due to Leitrim conceding their game with Down and Longford doing likewise with Cork. It meant that Tally could play a shadow team in their round seven clash with Louth. It was unusual but not overly controversial. Down had put the hard yards in pre-lockdown and if they needed the points, they would have beaten the Wee county. It’s Division Two then for the team in 2021 and a growing belief that they are back heading in the right direction.

4: Camogs win the All-Ireland

DOWN won the Junior Camogie All-Ireland in 2014 and six years later they collected the Intermediate crown to complete a good couple of years for the sport in the Mourne county. Clonduff have led the way with success at Ulster and All-Ireland level while the likes of Ballygalget are bringing through some young stars. They met Antrim in the final and despite a slow start they eventually took control of the game and came out on top. Now the question is whether or not they can keep on moving up the grades. The decision will be up to them, and early indicators are that the players want it. Derek Dunne will no longer be in charge so a new management team may have other ideas, but these are exciting times for Down camogie.

5: Carryduff make history but Kilcoo reign supreme

CARRYDUFF were the surprise package in the Down Championship this year as they responded from a loss to Clonduff to make it all the way to the final for the first time in their history. Backboned by their brilliant u-21 team of recent years, they came through a thrilling semi-final with Ballyholland when they nearly threw it all away. Unfortunately for them Kilcoo were waiting in the final and the Ulster champions don’t do sentiment. For almost the entire first half it was a close contest, but the Magpies finished strongly to lead by three points at the interval. In the second half they extended the lead further.