Promoted Derry in control as Loughlin goal sees off Down
FOR second-tier teams with dreams of playing for the Sam Maguire this summer, staying in Division 2 is where it’s at.
The pressure to be classified as one of the top-16 teams in the country when counties are split into the All-Ireland series or Tailteann Cup competition start in earnest this weekend as the Allianz Leagues assume even greater importance, especially in Division 2.
With the championship following fast on the heels of the league, the days of slow League build-ups are no more.
To that end, Derry will be satisfied with their opening performance in Owenbeg last night while Down headed home with plenty to ponder.
Rory Gallagher’s newlypromoted side led from start to finish in the rain and while the game lacked physicality at times, it was a decent first outing against a Down side still feeling its way under James McCartan, who started his second stint in charge of Down with a loss.
It was 0-2 apiece early on but Derry outscored Down by 1-3 to 0-1 between the 15th and 27th minutes. That was a cushion that talweaays appeared safe and they were able to keep the Mournemen at arms length from then on.
Niall Loughlin scored the allimportant goal after 17 minutes. Conor Doherty, who along with Ciarán McFaul was at the heart of most of Derry’s positive moments, gave the final pass across goal after Conor Glass’ superbly weighted fist pass took out three defenders. Loughlin turned and finished with his left foot. Derry led 1-6 to 0-4 at half time.
Caolan Mooney decided to take the initiative straight after the restart and almost scored a goal after one of his lung-bursting runs. He beat the goalkeeper but centre half-forward Ethan Doherty was back to clear the ball off the line.
Neither defence put much press on until the opposition entered their ‘45’ with players given ample time to carry the ball without any proper contact.
Down continued to play with a packed defence even though the game was clearly going away from them but Andrew Gilmore, who has successfully stepped up from the Ulster Under 20-winning side last year, was one of the bright sparks.
McFaul and Niall Toner scored points from play as Derry pushed further clear and they almost scored another goal, but Shane McGuigan’s shot crashed off the crossbar.
The whole intensity drifted out of the game with 20 minutes to go with the result long secure for Derry, who will regard the loss of Gareth McKinless in the first half through injury as the only real sour note.
With only six points scored by Down, they will hope the return of some of the Kilcoo players after next month’s All-Ireland club final against Kilmacud Crokes provides some muchneeded spark and creativity in the important weeks ahead.