Down cruise to a 12-point home win over Sligo

A 12-point margin of victory over Sligo in Pairc Esler was a welcome one for Down who certainly tightened up after a shakier performance in their victory over Offaly the week before.

Goals in both halves, the first from Ceilum Doherty and the second provided by James Guinness to give Down a 2-9 to 0-5 lead made sure there would be no comeback for Tony McEntee’s men. Although Sligo did have goal chances of their own and took one when Down switched off momentarily after their second maximum. But Conor Laverty’s side soon settled again and took eight of the remaining 10 points to cruise home.

The damage was done really in the first 20 minutes, with the Mournemen leading 1-6 to 0-1 before Sligo began to get the scoreboard moving, but all-in-all it was a comfortable day at the office – more-so than would have been expected from Sligo who lost to Clare in their first match but won the next three.

“Coming into this game Sligo had three wins from four so we knew they were going to be tough opposition,” Down corner forward Peter Fegan told the Reporter after the game.

“We sort of got on top of them in the first 15 or 20 minutes. They had a few goal chances and they were a bit unlucky. That sort of worked in our favour because we ended up going back up the field and scored a few points. So, coming back from a win against Offaly but not a really convincing win, we had to knuckle down this week and put in a performance and luckily we did.”

Fegan’s Burren clubmate Odhran Murdock was a surprise replacement on the programme, but while that could have been a concern, luckily Down managed just fine without their star midfielder

“He had a small groin injury I think, so he was being rested. They didn't want to risk him if he's injured, because he's one of our better players so we'll need him [against Westmeath]. Hopefully he gets a lot of training in over the next two weeks and he's fit to go against Westmeath,” said Fegan.

“This year we've definitely brought in a few boys and the squad is a lot stronger than it was last year. There are a lot of places up for grabs and boys are pushing hard in training. It's really competitive so if boys get their chance they're really going to try and take it when they play. Everyone is giving there all in games and in training so that’s a good headache to have for Conor.”

For full match report see this week’s Newry Reporter in shops on Wednesday March 6