Down's goal blitz secures victory over battling Donegal

Goals win matches, and that’s exactly what an impressive Down side showed against a gritty Donegal team who battled well to the bitter end in icy conditions in McKenna Park, Ballycran in this Division 2 NHL clash on Sunday. 

A swirling cross-field wind made good hurling difficult, but the winners will not be happy with their 13 wides to Donegal’s seven. 

But three goals in the second quarter gave the lively home team a virtually unassailable cushion as they led 3-7 to 0-7 at the break. 

READ NEXT: Heartbreak for Abbey VS as St Pat’s Maghera take MacRory Cup victory by a point

The super-charged Chris Egan and late sub-Ronan Beatty supplied the goals in a blistering 13-minute period as the Ards ash artists threatened to over-run the visitors with their searing runs through the heart of the Donegal defence. 

Indeed, it looked grim for Donegal when Ronan Sheehan’s men eased into a 3-11 to 0-9 lead five minutes into the second half. 

But, inspired by two superb saves from Donegal keeper Luke White, McCann’s men matched Down score for score in the final quarter and played with a lot more fluency and confidence. 

They were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute with the score at 3-12 to 0-11, but Luke White’s shot just went the wrong side of the post. 

Gerry Gilmore opened the scoring of the match with a pointed free and Conor Gartland making it 0-2 to 0-0 after some fine combination play. 

Down marksman Tom McGrattan got the Ards men off the mark but Down then hit three wides on the spin as they struggled with the treacherous wind. 

McGrattan and Gilmore swapped points before Brian MacIntyre put Donegal into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 14 minutes. 

But all changed utterly 35 seconds later when Chris Egan tore through the Donegal defence before grabbing Down’s first goal. 

And, points from Ronan Beatty and the excellent Phelim Savage made it 1-4 to 0-4. 

It felt ominous, but Gilmore’s two-pointed frees made it the minimum margin as McGrattan pushed Down into a 1-5 to 0-6 by the 27th minute. 

It was then who Beatty struck for the first of his two goals after Down’s savage pace cut holes in the Donegal defence. 

McGrattan and Savage added points before Beatty pounced for his third and decisive goal as Down turned over with a 3-7 to 0-7 lead, with Gilmore getting the last score. 

Down had the dubious benefit of the fickle wind but Donegal matched them score for score as each side hit a total tally of 0-10 each. 

Eoghan Sands was on target for Down with the inevitable Gilmore responding. 

But Donegal were denied a certain goal when Down keeper Stephen Keith superbly batted away a rasping Sean Ward effort for a ‘65’. 

Substitute Pearse Óg McCrickard took over the free-taking duties after McGrattan went off injured as Down went into a 3-11 to 0-9 lead. 

But they could have had two more goals as White saved brilliantly from McCrickard and Danny Toner before landing a fine long-range free. 

He had a chance of goaling for Donegal, but his penalty blaster shaved the post as Down led by 3-12 to 0-11. 

Both sides ran their benches, but Donegal were growing more into the game as Gilmore, MacIntyre, and McKinney finished with some fine scores as Caolan Taggart got Down’s final score. 

Donegal recovered well from those crippling three goals and showed that they could match Down in many respects in the second half as they take a break next weekend before the visit of Kerry in a fortnight. 

Down scorers: Ronan Beatty 2-2; Tom McGrattan 0-5 5fs; Chris Egan 1-2; Phelim Savage and Pearse Óg McCrickard 2fs, 0-2 each; Caolan Taggart, Niall McFarland, Finn Turpin, and Michael Dorrian 0-1 each. 
Donegal scorers: Gerard Gilmore 0-10, 9fs; Brian McIntyre 0-3; Conor Gartland 0-2; Luke White 1f, and Liam McKinney 0-1 each. 

Down: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, Tom Murray, Gerard Hughes; Marc Fisher, Liam Savage, Caolan Taggart; Donal Hughes, Phelim Savage; Finn Turpin, Eoghan Sands, Chris Egan; Ronan Beatty, Tom McGrattan, Danny Toner. Subs: Pearse Óg McCrickard for Tom McGrattan (34); Barry Trainor for Gerard Hughes (44); Oisin McManus for Ronan Beatty (49); Niall McFarland for Donal Hughes (55); Michael Dorrian for Eoghan Sands (63). 

Donegal: Luke White: Oisin Kerr, Michael Donaghue, Christopher McDermott; Conor O’Grady, Jack O’Loughlin, Cormac Finn; Brian MacIntyre, Gerard Gilmore; Sean McVeigh, Liam McKinney, Danny Cullen; Conor Gartland, Sean Ward, Josh Cronolly/McGee. Subs: Peter Kelly for Christopher McDermott (38); Ciaran Bradley for Conor O’Grady (50); Ryan Hilferty for Danny Cullen (65). 

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).