Tailteann Cup: Down cruise to victory

Tailteann Cup Round One

Down 1-27 Leitrim 0-16

By Elaine Ingram at Páirc Esler

Down made a good start to the Tailteann Cup with a convincing victory over Leitrim at Pairc Esler.

Coming into the tie, the Mournemen were expected to overcome their Division Four opponents, having securing promotion to Division Two earlier in the year - and beaten Donegal a few short weeks ago.

Even so, the disappointment following their heavy defeat to Armagh in the Ulster semi-final was a worry for Conor Laverty's side. Any fears of a lingering hangover, however, weren't warranted, as Down controlled the contest for long periods.

Leitrim arrived severely weakened by injuries, including Cillian McGloin and Tom Prior, while Barry McNulty was ruled out after breaking his foot against Galway. Despite those setbacks, the visitors' remained competitive throughout much of the opening half, aided with a couple of two-pointers.

Tom Close, who started in place of Adam Crimmins, opened the scoring for Down inside two minutes. Leitrim goalkeeper Killian Gaffey immediately replied with a two-point free before Ceilum Doherty struck twice to edge Down back in front. Miceal Rooney then added another after excellent point as the home side began to dominate.

Although Leitrim kept in touch, Down soon found another gear, Pat Havern converted twice, including an excellent two-pointer, while goalkeeper Ronan Burns also raised an orange flag to stretch the gap to seven points midway through the half.

Leitrim did respond well before the break. Paul Honeyman clipped over a score and Gaffey added another two-pointer from a free right on the hooter, yet Down still looked comfortable as they led 0-12 to 0-8 at half-time.

Any prospect of a Leitrim comeback disappeared early in the second period. Gaffey missed a free that could have reduced the margin to two before Daniel Guinness punished the visitors with a superb two-point effort from play followed quickly by another score. Rooney and Guinness continued to trouble the Leitrim defence as Down pushed further clear.

The Down substitutes impressed too, with Ruairi McCormack made an immediate impact from the bench, pointing with his first touch and then finding the net in the 61st minute.

Seamus Loughran and Eamon Brown also added scores as Down comfortably wrapped up an impressive 14-point victory. They travel to Offaly for the second round, while Leitrim boss Steven Poacher will prepare his men for a meeting with Carlow, who he previously managed.

Scorers for Down: R McCormack 1-3 (1tp), P Havern 0-5 (1tp, 1f), D Guinness 0-4 (1tp), C Doherty 0-3, M Rooney 0-3, E Brown 0-3, R Burns 0-2 (1tpf), T Close 0-2, S Loughran, O Murdock 0-1 each.

Scorers for Leitrim: K Gaffey 0-5 (2tpf, 1'45), P Honeyman 0-3, F McLoughlin 0-2, B Guckian 0-2 (1f), O McLoughlin 0-2 (1tp), J Kelly, M Diffley 0-1 each.

Down: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Finn McElroy; Callum Rogers, Pearse McPolin, Ryan Magill; Odhran Murdock, Daniel Guinness; Shane Annett, Ceilum Doherty, Miceal Rooney; Gareth McKibben, Pat Havern, Tom Close.

Subs: Eamon Brown for McKibben (47), Ruairi McCormack for Annett (51), ), Seamus Loughran for Havern (53), Patrick Brooks for McElroy (57), Oran Cunningham for Magill (59).

Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Eanna McNamara, Conor Reynolds, Sean Harkin; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Keith Keegan; Conor Quinn, Kieran Clancy; Fergal McLoughlin, Ben Guckion, Riordan O'Rourke; Paul Honeyman, Ryan O'Rourke, Oisin McLoughlin

Subs: Arek Oberwan for Harkin (51), Jack Kelly for O McLoughlin (51), James Rooney for McNamara (57), Tom Plunkett for Honeyman (59), Colm McLoughlin for Clancy (59).

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).