BOI Dr McKenna Cup Section A: Down 2-14 Donegal 1-10
Whisper it quietly – the Down revolution has begun, as Down inflicted an opening day defeat on new Donegal boss Paddy Carr.
Carr was not one bit worried about losing this Dr McKenna Cup match in Pairc Esler as Donegal began life in the post-Michael Murphy era.
He insisted they will be a different beast when the teams clash again later in the Ulster championship.
Read more: Kilcoo victory proved Glen can beat the best teams insists Malachy O'Rourke
But for Down – who are a Division Three side this year - this was a second win in four days over a Division One backing up Wednesday’s win over Monaghan with another encouraging display in Newry.
“I dunno about a revolution, we’re just taking baby steps at the minute,” laughed Down coach Mickey Donnelly.
“We have done a good bit of work already with this team, probably more than Donegal.
“We’re happy to be through to a semi-final to get another game before our opening league game against Tipperary.”
Manager Conor Laverty was not available for interview, but his team is doing it’s talking on the pitch.
They hit first-half goals from Liam Kerr and Conor Francis as they led 2-9 to 1-7 at half-time.
Pat Havern impressed all day with 0-5 from play with Down playing with greater cohsion and purpose.
Daire O Baoill palmed Donegal’s goal home and while they seemed lethargic at times compared to energetic Down, Carr explained: “we are doing a lot of heavy training at the moment.”
“We have a lot of players still to come back in to the squad. It’s all about getting ready for the league and we look forward to Kerry coming to town.”
Down : J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, P Laverty; P Branagan (0-1), N McParland, C Francis (1-1); N Donnelly (0-1), O McCabe; D Magill, L Kerr (1-1), C Fitzpatrick; B O’Hagan (0-2, 1f), P Havern (0-5), E Brown.
Subs: C Poland for Brown (28), M Walsh (0-1) for Magill (39), P McCarthy for Fegan (39), T Close (0-1) for McCabe (47), M Rooney for McEvoy (47), R Carr for Kerr (57), D McAleenan for O’Hagan (57), A Doherty (0-1) for Branagan (59), M Ireland for Havern (63), S Dornan for Donnelly (67), D McClements for Poland (69)
Donegal: M Lynch; S McMenamin, B McCole, J Grant; C McColgan, C Ward, J McKelvey; R O’Donnell, D MacGiolla Bhride; L McGlynn, C Thompson (0-1), C O’Donnell; J Brennan (0-2, 1f), P McBrearty (0-5, 4f), D O Baoill (1-0)
Subs: R McFadden for R O’Donnell (27), J Walsh for Thompson (HT), M Curran for McKelvey (HT), J McSharry for McGlynn (HT), K Barrett (0-1) for Brennan (45), B O’Donnell for McKelvey (45), J Molloy for McColgan (45), M Reilly for B O’Donnell (59), J McGroddy (0-1) for O Baoill (60), H O’Donnell for C O’Donnell (60)
Referee : M Farrelly (Cavan).
Read next:
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- Rodney Kerr hails Brídíní Óga heroics after All-Ireland Camogie victory
- Former Kilcoo boss Conleith Gilligan set for new role with Tyrone club
Donegal players must step up following Michael Murphy retirement says Paddy Carr
Division Three teams all chasing Sam Maguire Cup slot says Down selector
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