Downings and McElwee use their local knowledge in comeback win over Bundoran

Downing came from behind to run out comfortable winners over Bundoran in the Donegal IFC, with Paddy McElwee scoring 2-2.

Downings 3-6 Bundoran 0-10

Two goals in two minutes just after half-time turned this tie around after the locals trailed by five points, 0-8 to 0-3, at the changeover.

But when McElwee did well to hold his composure while being marked by two defenders to grab the first goal on 33 minutes and reduced the Bundoran lead to two points.

And despite being down to 14 for the first nine minutes of the second period after Shane Boyce was shown a black card Downings pushed up. And two minutes after McElwee opening goal Conor Carty was once again plucking the ball out the back of the net after Ronan Gallagher converted from the penalty spot.

For the spot kick, Johnny McGroddy was tripped as he bore down on Carty’s goals. The second goal propelled the locals into a 2-3 to 0-8 lead. But Bundoran refused to buckle and Jamie Brennan who had a huge game at centre half back tied up the contest for a second time at 2-3 to 0-9 with under 20 minutes remaining.

But with Bundoran forced to chase the game, they left space at the back and thanks to points from the go-to man McElwee up front, Johnny McGroddy and Conor Boyce, locals edged three clear for the first time.

And it was lights out for Bundoran who made the long trip north short up to five regulars when McGoddy, on the break sent McElwee clear for goal number three for Dowings, 10 minutes from time.

Bundoran with a strong wind at their backs set the pace early on and with the roving Shane McGowan and Jamie Brennan dominating the middle and the away side moved into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead.

Brennan, Dara Hoey, Peter McGonagle, Antoin Govorov and Cian McEniff all left their calling cards on the scoreboard.

And with the locals struggling to make an impact against a stubborn and well-organised Bundoran defence, they had to wait 15 minutes for their opening score. McElwee got the show on the road after Shane Boyce, Lorcan Connor and Johnny McGroddy began to assert their influence on the game.

Connor posted two points before Cian McEniff and Govorov sent Bundoran in 0-8 to 0-3 in front at the interval.

The question on everyone’s lips at half-time given the strong wind was five points enough of a cushion. The answer was no.

Downings scorers: Paddy McElwee 2-2, Ronan Gallagher 1-0, 1 pen, Lorcan Connors 0-3, Conor Boyce 0-1.
Bundoran: Jamie Brennan and Antoin Govorov 0-3, 1f each; Cian McEniff 0-2, Dara Hoey and Shane McGowan 0-1 each.

Downings: Aaron McClafferty; Ross Cullen, Ben McNutt, Max Davis; Keelan McGroddy, Ronan Gallagher, Dean McBride; Oisin Boyce,Shane Boyce,Ronan Pasoma,Kevin Doherty, Conor Boyce; Johnny McGroddy, Lorcan Connor, Paddy McElwee. Subs: Pauric McGinty for R Cullen (45), Tiernan McBride for R Cullen(52); Ethan Collum for J McGroddy (60).
Bundoran: Conor Carty; Brendan McHenry, Matty Duffy, Matt Tierney; Lorcan Long, Jamie Brennan, Peter McGonagle; Cian McEniff, Ciaran McCaughey; Antoin Govorov, Diarmaid Spratt, Adam McGloin; Dara Hoey, Brendan Oates, Shane McGowan. Subs: C J McManus for L Long (45).
Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire).