Walsh Cup / UCD 0-21 Down 0-13: Babs Keating was suitably pleased with the performance of his UCD charges which saw off the gutsy display by Down in the Walsh Cup opener at a windswept Belfield yesterday.
"It's good to get matches against county sides in the build-up for the Fitzgibbon Cup," said a pleased Keating.
In arrears by three points at the interval, UCD were aided by inspirational displays from Colm Ryan (Tipperary) and Wexford's John O'Connor and began to whittle down the deficit. Late All Star call up Brendan Murphy was also in impressive form for Keating's men.
"I liked the way they knocked the ball about in the second half and generally I must say I am pleased with the progress made," added Keating.
Down looked rusty in the last quarter as UCD stepped up the pace. In fairness the Down players had not played together in a serious match since they were beaten by Antrim in the Ulster championship semi-final last June.
Paul Branniffe showed excellent form with the placed ball and an interesting replacement in the closing stages was one Gerard McGratton, who remains the Ulster county's lone All Star.
UCD: M White; D Walton, M Fitz, E Campion; C Everard, E Ryan, C Ryan (0-5 three frees); S Lucey (0-2), R Barry (0-5 three frees); P Morrissey, J O'Connor (0-3 one free), B Murphy (0-2 one free); P Doheny (0-2), B Phelan, A Barry (0-2). Substitutes: T Murphy for Phelan, B McMahon for Doheny, A Fleming for Lucey, B Barry for Everard.
DOWN: G Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, E Dorrian; T McMahon, S Wilson (0-1, 65), G Clarke; A Savage (0-2), P Monan; J Convery, P Branniff (0-6 two 65's three), G Johnston (0-2); M Coulter, G Savage (0-1), S Clarke (0-1). Substitutes: B McGourty for McMahon S McAree for Dorrian, G McGratton for G Savage.
Referee F Smith (Meath)
