John McGovern following Down's first goal in Saturday's Tailteann CUp clash against Wicklow. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Quarter-Final
Down 1-18 Wicklow 0-12
By Steve Malone at Páirc Esler
Last year’s finalists Down are into the last four of the Tailteann Cup after finishing strongly to see off a competitive Wicklow in Saturday’s tussle at Newry’s Páirc Esler.
With Wicklow chasing the game and leaving gaps Down found their groove with players from the bench making the desired impact to get their side over the line.
John McGovern’s opportunist early goal was the major difference between the two teams in a frustrating first half, with neither side showing their title credentials.
Wicklow really should have been closer than the four-points they trailed at the break, but bad wides from close-range frees proved costly.
Still, it was Oisin McConville’s side that recovered from a dreadful start to fight their way back into the mix. Down got off to a dream start, the game, played at Pairc Esler was only a minute old when Shealan Johnston stroked over and four minutes later John McGovern had the ball in the net.
James Guinness sliced his shot, but Ballyholland Harps’ young McGovern got a decisive touch.
Pat Havern was also on target, so at 1-2 ahead, Down seemed to be motoring nicely and looked to start pulling away, but after a couple of poor wides Jackson’s converted 45’ on nine minutes got Wicklow off the mark.
There was a lull of no scoring for 10 minutes, with Ryan McEvoy picking up a yellow card for sliding into manager McConville, something of note before Havern and Christopher O’Brien traded points.
Wicklow were getting joy around the middle, with Dean Healy taking the game to Down and with the Leinster men prepared to take players on, they won a few frees, which Kevin Quinn and keeper Jackson converted.
Down finished the half strongly with Shealan Johnston finishing a fine move engineered by Peter Fegan, then Daniel Guinness tagged on another and McGovern could have bagged a second goal but this time he was thwarted by Jackson. Down led 1-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
It was a livelier second half with the sides going man-for-man and as expected Down’s quality edged Wicklow out.
Pat Havern brought his tally to six points, including four beauties from play, while Shealan Johnston and Daniel Guinness kept Down’s lead to at least four points.
Wicklow created chances and Quinn (free), Oisin McGraynor, Jackson (free) and Padraig O’Tool kept their side in the hunt, but when substitute Liam Kerr pointed with his first touch to give Down a 1-12 to 0-09 lead with 15-minutes remaining, it was Down’s game to lose.
Wicklow tried dropping high balls into the danger zone but Down’s defence held firm. Quinn and Ryan McEvoy traded frees, but in the closing minutes Down pulled away into a commanding lead with Oisin Savage, Danny Magill, Shealan Johnston, Liam Kerr and Ceilum Doherty firing over points, to finish comfortable winners.
Conor Laverty’s side will find out who they will face in next week's Tailteann Cup semi-final in Monday morning’s draw, while for Wicklow their season has come to a close.
Down: John O’Hare, Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney, Finn McElroy, Shealan Johnston (0-4), Ryan Magill, Odhran Murdock, Daniel Guinness (0-2), James Guinness, Paddy McCarthy, John McGovern (1-0), Pat Havern (0-6, 2fs), Conor McCrickard.
Subs: Ceilum Doherty (0-1) for R Magill (HT), Danny Magill (0-1) for J Guinness (23’), Oisin Savage (0-1) for J McGovern (48’), Liam Kerr (0-3) for McCrickard (56’), Ryan Johnston for Rooney (63’).
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-03, 2 45s, 1f), Cillian McDonald, Malachy Stone, Patrick O’Keane (0-1), Matt Nolan, Eoin Murtagh, Eoin Darcy, Dean Healy, Padraig O’Toole (0-1), Darragh Fee, Christopher O’Brien (0-2), Jack Kirwin, Jonathan Carlin, Kevin Quinn (0-4, 4fs), John Paul Nolan.
Subs: Mark Kenny for JP Nolan (45’), Oisin McGraynor (0-1) for E Darcy (51’), Gavin Fogarty for C McDonald (54’), Joe Penderghost for Healey (63’), Geroid Murphy for O’Toole (65’).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).
