Well done on a fine second half display, when we pushed up on the kick outs Down's game plan was finished. Mc Carron (a number 11 for me if ever was one) and Mc Carthy finished the job for us. Cheap shot on Doogan was unnecessary, but it won't bother him too much. Don't care who we get now, they will be watching the draw hoping not to get us. A performance like today's first half will not do it for us though. But that won't happen next week. By the way well done to Malachy on his second (out of 4) win at headquarters in the championship. A 50% success rate not too bad for a team that can't win in Croker
The team finally showed their wares in that second half tonight. We are now where we expected to be start of the year and should be stern opposition for whoever we get. Important win tonight and the manner of it with the bench having huge impact bodes well.
A great game yesterday and many congratulations to Monaghan on their win and best of luck in the quarter finals.
Well done to Down on a very good Championship season that much exceeded expectations. In the first half I felt Down were the dominant side and on the balance of play should have been going in with a five or six point lead with two gilt edged goal chances missed. Another upset looked a distinct possibility after a terrific first half display from Down. Monaghan stayed in the game from frees, a few of which were very harshly awarded by Maurice Deegan.
The failure to build up a lead worried me a bit as we had faded a bit in the second half against Monaghan and also in the third quarter against Tyrone. For the first time this season in the Championship Monaghan showed their true class in the second half. Their attacking play which had been dull and inspiring in the first half was transformed and they looked a completely different team as they attacked with great skill and verve. Down found it very difficult to cope with. Unfortunately Darragh O'Hanlon, who has had terrific Championship season, missed two or three frees in this period which we needed if we were to try and stay in touch. Harrison was not serviced as well in the second half but he was still very dangerous when the ball went in and another couple of goal chances went begging for Down. Monaghan ran out deserving winners.So 1 each this season while it was definitely also Connaire Harrison 2 Drew Wylie 0 over the two games.
Down have shown much improvement in this Championship. The pride in the Down jersey has well and truly been restored and we can look forward to the next few years with optimism.
To Monaghan best of luck in the quarter final. Down and Monaghan have each inflicted some big blows on each other with today and the 19 point hammering last season, while we inflicted a couple of shattering Ulster semi final defeats on you at the Athletic grounds. Monaghan are a class act on and off the field. All the best to you going forward. bl
Really enjoyable game with sone terrific scores. Hard luck to Down, they were the better in the first half but didn't reflect that on the scoreboard. They seemed to tire in the second half and the Monaghan subs made a big impact. I like the Down style of play and they could become a major force is they can imorove over the next few years.
Monaghan finally found their form in the second half yesterday and hopefully they can keep this going next weekend. I thought they looked really laboured in the first half but hung in there. I couldn't see them sticking with Dublin but they could be sticky opponents for Tyrone.
Cheers lads, I was thinking it was Dick Clerkin alright. I thought he was very good actually and fairly balanced given his obvious allegiance to the Farney!