Odhran Murdock, Down, and Eoin Cleary and Cillian Rouine, Clare, in All-Ireland SFC action. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
All-Ireland SFC Group Three
Down 3-27 (3-3-21) Clare 1-16 (1-2-12)
By Eoin Brennan at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg
Ten different scorers powered Down to a first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship victory in six years in front of 1,556 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg.
Despite Clare having never competed in the Tailteann Cup, it was last year’s winners that made up for lost time in style after a devastating first half display with the conditions effectively put the result beyond doubt.
Goals at either end of the opening period through John McGeough and Daniel Guinness were bolstered by a brace of inspirational two-pointers each for Pat Havern and Danny Magill as Conor Laverty’s side carved out a handsome 2-17 to 1-6 half-time chasm.
Not even a Mark McInerney led mini revival on the resumption could revive the lacklustre hopes who appeared to suffer a hangover from their third successive Munster Final reverse to Kerry a fortnight earlier.
McInerney kicked five points to eventually lessen the damage to 10 by the turn of the final quarter at 2-20 to 1-13 but far from being a lifeline, it only seemed to poke the bear as Down responded with a 1-4 unanswered blitz including a goal for substitute Caolan Mooney at 3-24 to 1-13 entering the final ten minutes.
Emmet McMahon lofted over a consolation two-pointer for the Banner, but their afternoon was summed up by an injury-time attack that saw Aaron Griffin’s effort come back off the crossbar.
Down had no such goal-shy issues as John McGeough flicked an Odhran Murdock delivery over the line in only the sixth minute on their way to a 1-9 to 0-2 advantage by the 22nd minute.
A second goal in the 33rd minute was worth the admission fee alone as Daniel Guinness intercepted a Clare attack and raced the length of the field before implementing a one-two with Murdock before firing past home goalkeeper Eamon Tubridy.
Less than a minute later, Clare completed a flowing back-to-front move of their own through Aaron Griffin to provide some degree of solace. However, a second Havern two-pointer would dampen that home enthusiasm to give Down a 14 point interval lead.
Clare did inevitably improve with the wind at their backs but needed goals to hold any hopes of redemption. However, Emmet McMahon’s shot would be charged down by Pierce Laverty to deny their hosts.
Mooney’s goal in the 56th minute quelled any remaining rebellion as Down march on to a much-anticipated home derby with newly-crowned Leinster champions Louth, while the Banner have to travel to Monaghan for their second round penance in a fortnight’s time.
Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 0-9 (1tp, 1tpf, 3f), Danny Magill 0-7 (2tp), John McGeough, Daniel Guinness 1-1 each, Adam Crimmins 0-3, Caolan Mooney 1-0, James Guinness, Odhran Murdock (1f) 0-2 each; Miceal Rooney, Ryan McEvoy 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney 0-6 (1tp, 1f, 1’45), Emmet McMahon 0-5 (1tp, 2f), Aaron Griffin 1-1, Dermot Coughlan 0-2, Eoin Cleary and Jamie Stack 0-1 each
Down: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Pierce Laverty, Ryan Magill; Miceal Rooney, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Daniel Guinness, Danny Magill; James Guinness, Odhran Murdock, Ryan McEvoy; John McGeough, Pat Havern, Adam Crimmins
Subs: Caolan Mooney for Doherty (35+2, inj), Patrick Brooks for R. Magill (45), Shay Millar for McEvoy (54), Finn Murdock for J. Guinness (60), Conor McCrickard for McGeough (62), Donal Scullion for O. Murdock (67)
Clare: Eamon Tubridy; Ronan Lanigan, Cillian Brennan, Manus Doherty; Cillian Rouine, Ikem Ugwueru, Connor Meaney; Brian McNamara, Emmet McMahon; Gavin Murray, Eoin Cleary, Dermot Coughlan; Mark McInerney, Keelan Sexton, Aaron Griffin
Subs: Alan Sweeney for Brennan (15, inj), Daniel Walsh for Murray (35+2), Fionn Kelleher for Meaney (HT), Shane Griffin for McNamara (60, inj), Jamie Stack for Cleary (63)
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
