Down must improve to keep hold of promotion hopes, insists Tally

THEY may be viewed to be doing it the hard way but Down are still on course to book a place in Division Two of the Allianz Football League.

A turgid draw against Tipperary and a sobering setback at the hands of Cork had threatened to derail their ambitions of moving up in the world but this gutsy, occasionally flamboyant performance against a reincarnated Longford has rekindled the Mourne flame of hope.

However, manager Paddy Tally’s pragmatic perspective on his team’s league journey is calculated that feet remain firmly rooted to the ground.

“The fact of the matter is that we are continuing to make unforced errors in every game and that is hurting us. We are creating scoring chances and not taking them, we’re turning the ball over at vital times and making other silly mistakes,” pointed out Tally. “Longford put a big press on in the closing stages and while there was a bit of panic within our ranks, we did enough to get over the line.

“We were really on the ropes at a time in the game and we must continue to look at the aspects of our game on which we can improve.”

Longford, resilient and stubborn, brought considerable spirit and a herculean work rate to the table — so much so that they might well have bagged the two points on offer when they slid into the lead in the third quarter.

Up until then, Down looked comfortable but never complacent, only managing to secure a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead after impressive duo Liam Kerry and Barry O’Hagan landed points in the closing minutes of a first half in which Longford never let their hosts out of their sights.

It was Liam Connerton’s 51st-minute goal following a Down defensive lapse that fuelled Longford’s fire and at 0-11 to 1-7 they were primed for a victory surge, even more so when Dessie Reynolds and the majestic Darren Gallagher (2) potted points to put them in front.

But that was as good as it got for the midland side. After Kerr and Barry O’Hagan reduced the deficit, Cory Quinn wriggled his way through to fire in a goal for the home side in the 62nd minute and when substitute James Guinness repeated the dose six minutes later, Down were firmly afloat again at 2-13 to 1-12.

Daniel Mimnagh was to make a big impression in coming off the bench to score three of Longford’s last four points but when Down closed ranks and protected their possession in added time they offered hope that the league could still yield rich benefits.

Manager Tally is understandably urging that the team must engage top gear over the course of their next three matches, beginning with Offaly next weekend.

“Offaly are a very good side and they will be difficult opponents for us. We know we will be up against it and we have to be ready for the challenge,” maintained Tally.

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