Down beat Donegal in League

Down 1-10 Donegal 1-9

Published Saturday, 04 February 2012

Down drew first blood in this thrilling opening Allianz National League Division One game at Pairc Esler in Newry on Saturday night.

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James McCartan's side led by two points at half-time but Donegal hit back with a second half goal as they turned the tables only for Down to finish with a flourish.

There were a few anxious moments though in time added on as Donegal missed a '45' and a kickable free which would have snatched them a draw.

Down were quickly out of the blocks and points from Peter Turley, Benny Coulter and Liam Doyle saw them move into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after only four minutes.

Stephen Griffin replied with a free but Doyle stretched Down's lead when he scored the opening goal after being set up by Turley in the seventh minute.

Donegal scored the next three points, two neat efforts from Mark McHugh being followed by a Patrick McBrearty free.

But a glorious long-range point from the impressive Doyle put the Mourne men 1-4 to 0-4 ahead after 12 minutes.

Karl Lacey's point followed by another McBrearty free left the minimum margin between the sides but Aidan Carr's 33rd minute free meant that the home side led by two at the break, 1-5 to 0-6.

Donegal went ahead 14 minutes after the restart when a patient build up resulted in Martin McElhenney finding the net.

Doyle replied straight from the restart through a Doyle free as Donegal's advatage was trimmed to a single point.

Down brought on Ambrose Rodgers to huge applause as the game entered the final quarter.

Brannigan hit the equalising score as the sides were level at 1-8 apiece with 12 minutes left.

Doyle then sent a free over the bar after Coulter had been fouled as Down regained the lead two minutes later.

And when Conor Garvey sent the ball over the bar shortly afterwards there were two between the sides with four minutes left.

Donegal responded through Dermot Molloy in the 67th minute to set up a grandstand finish.

There were four minutes of stoppage time added on and in the second of those Donegal goalkeeper Paul Durkan sent a '45' wide to derisive cheers from the home support as Down held on for the win.