AIB Leinster Club SFC: The Downs defeat Clonguish
The Downs forward Niall Mitchell. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
AIB Leinster Club SFC Round One
The Downs 2-17 Clonguish 1-18
By Gerry Buckley at TEG Cusack Park
The Downs, fresh from retaining the Westmeath senior football title, had to fight all the way to shake off a very spirited challenge by a young Clonguish side in a rip-roaring contest in ideal conditions for football in Mullingar.
The underdogs from Longford were by far the better outfit in the early exchanges and a hat-trick of converted frees by Michael Flynn had them ahead by 0-3 to 0-0 with nine minutes elapsed, The Downs having wasted most of the limited possession which had come their way.
However, the Westmeath champions took over during the remainder of the opening quarter, shooting six unanswered points from play in the process – a two-pointer from Niall Mitchell, singles from Jonathan Lynam and Ian Martin, and a brace from Tom Tuite.
James Hagan and Luke Loughlin traded points, before the visitors equalised (0-7 each) courtesy of a two-point free from Flynn and a one-pointer by Matthew Carey in the 21st minute.
In the 24th minute, Loughlin rounded off a fine move by Dermot Power’s charges with a well-taken goal. Clonguish responded with a point apiece from Jamie Dorr (with his fist) and another Flynn free, but when the ball fell kindly for Michael Moloney in the 29th minute, this year’s Hogan Cup winner from Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar blasted the ball to the roof of the net. A lengthy solo run by Jack Duggan on the half-hour mark was spoiled by a weak finish for a goal, leaving The Downs ahead by 2-7 to 0-9 at the interval.
Martin doubled his tally in the opening minute of the second half, but a neat point from Kevin Baskett and a great two-point free from Michael Flynn kept Dominic Corrigan’s well-supported troops very much in touch.
The respective number 13s, Loughlin and Baskett, exchanged points before Carey left the gap at the bare minimum, 2-9 to 0-14, in the 38th minute. A brace of points from the lively Tuite stretched The Downs’ lead.
However, when Hagan reacted the quickest to find the net in the 44th minute after a slapped effort from Cormac Flynn had come back off the crossbar, the sides were on level terms. Carey soon nudged Clonguish ahead - 1-15 to 2-11.
The final quarter was played out in a welter of excitement. Two Moloney points from open play were wiped out by Cormac Flynn and Michael Flynn.
Loughlin kicked a sublime two-point free for The Downs to nudge them in front with four minutes of normal time remaining. Moloney added a one-pointer and Flynn replied by converting yet another free. A minimum of two minutes’ added-time was announced and the home team doubled their lead in the first of these via Kevin O’Sullivan.
Michael Flynn was then bottled up as he looked set to find the net at the other end and Clonguish were unable to work a goal from the ensuing ‘45’, with the final whistle blowing seconds later.
Scorers for The Downs: L Loughlin 1-4 (1 2ptf), M Moloney 1-3, T Tuite 0-4, I Martin, N Mitchell (2pt) 0-2 each, K O’Sullivan, J Lynam 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clonguish: M Flynn 0-10 (2 2ptf, 5f), J Hagan 1-1, M Carey 0-3, K Baskett 0-2, J Dorr, C Flynn 0-1 each.
The Downs: Trevor Martin; Eanna Burke, Josh Murtagh, Peter Murray; Jonathan Lynam, Ciaran Nolan, Michael Moloney; Lorcan Mullen, Charlie Drumm; Oisín Loughlin, Ian Martin, Billy Moffatt; Luke Loughlin, Niall Mitchell, Tom Tuite.
Subs: Kevin O’Sullivan for O Loughlin (47), Andrew Brennan for Murray (55).
Clonguish: Declan McKenna; Jonathan Burke, Mark Cooney, Christopher Gordon; Jack Duggan, Conor Smith, Andrew Flynn; Peter Hanley, Matthew Carey; Jamie Dorr, Michael Flynn, Ronan Sweeney; Kevin Baskett, Cormac Flynn, James Hagan.
Subs: Ross Shields for Baskett (47), Daniel Carey for Burke (inj., 57).
Referee: Colm McCullough (Louth).
