Joe McDonagh Cup: Down defeat London
Down senior hurling team manager Ronan Sheehan. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile
Joe McDonagh Cup
Down 2-23 London 2-17
This was another hugely encouraging victory for Ronan Sheehan's improving outfit at Páirc Esler.
In the closing stages London finished strongly netting a couple of goals, but Down were never seriously troubled.
A blistering start from Down included a goal from Daithí Sands as the home team accumulated a 1-6 to 0-1 advantage by the 10th minute.
At the interval Down, with Pearse Óg McCrickard and Tom McGrattan prominent, led by 1-13 to 0-11.
Cahal Coleman added a second goal for Down, who held a commanding 2-18 to 0-15 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Further efforts from McGrattan and the in-form Donal edged Down 10 points clear, but London netted a couple of goals late on.
Jack Morrissey struck a goal from a free, while Seán Glynn supplied a consolation effort at the death.
Scorers for Down: Cahal Coleman 1-3, Donal Hughes 0-5, Daithí Sands 1-0, Tom McGrattan, Pearse Óg McCrickard (3fs), and Pearce Smyth (3fs) 0-3 each, Marc Fisher 0-2, Barry Trainor, Ruairi McCrickard, Liam Savage, and Finn Turpin 0-1 each.
Scorers for London: Ronan McGrady 0-6 (6fs), Seán Glynn and Jack Morrissey (1-1fs) 1-2 each, Paul Kennedy 0-3, Fionn Whelan 0-2, Tom Hanafin and Eoin McGrath 0-1 each.
