Sport

Deeney sets tone as Down dominate

ULSTER MFC FIRST ROUND: Down 1-12 Fermanagh 0-4: A TERRIFIC save in the fifth minute by Down goalkeeper James Deeney to deny…

Mon May 18 2009 - 01:00

ULSTER MFC FIRST ROUND: Down 1-12 Fermanagh 0-4:A TERRIFIC save in the fifth minute by Down goalkeeper James Deeney to deny Ciarán McBrien dented Fermanagh's slim hopes at Brewster Park yesterday.

At half-time, Down led by five points (0-6 to 0-1). Four unanswered points between the fifth and 13th minutes of the second half gave them almost total control. Fermanagh did have another goal chance in the 14th minute but Deeney denied Gavin Gallagher who was clean through.

With the game won, Down gilded the lily when full-forward Ross McGarry planted the ball in the net for a lead of 1-10 to 0-2.

Fermanagh had cause to complain, Liam Murphy being fouled when robbed of the ball.

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But, on a day when 10 Down players got on the scoresheet, Fermanagh had few other complaints. They got off to the better start before Down settled and created gaps in the Fermanagh rearguard with superb running off the ball.

Their midfield ruled the roost throughout despite the best efforts of Richard O’Callaghan, who was moved up to the attack late on.

In an under-siege Fermanagh defence captain John Duffy tried hard to rally his troops.

Up front their full-forward line of Feeley, Gallagher and McBrien battled hard against a composed Down defence, where Darragh O’Hanlon and Kevin McClorey stood out in front of an in-form Deeney.

DOWN: J Deeney; R Doran, S McNamee, D O'Hanlon; K McClorey, C McClean (0-1), P Boyle; C Mooney, N McParland (0-1); C Clarke (0-1), R White (0-2), P Quinn (0-1); M Bagnall (0-1), R McGarry (1-2, one free), D McKibben (0-1) . Subs: Danny Savage (0-1) for Quinn (50 mins); Ollie McClean for McNamee (54 mins); Neil Murray for McClean and Kieran Maguire for James Deeney (56 mins); Paddy Mckenny for McKibben (60 mins).

FERMANAGH: M Prior; P McCaffrey, E Leonard, J Mulligan; J Duffy, S McMahon, P McGovern; R O'Callaghan (0-1), D Mohan; J Jackman, S Quigley, P Mullan; J Feeley (0-1), G Gallagher, C McBrien (0-2, frees). Subs:M McAleer for Quigley (24 mins); Quigley for Jackman (38 mins); L Murphy for McGovern (43 mins).

Referee:E McHugh (Tyrone).

Next up . . .

MFC Quarter-finals: Next Sunday, Derry v Monaghan; following weekend, Cavan v Down Tyrone v Armagh; and June 14th, Donegal v Antrim.