 Down's James Coyle and Paul Gaffney of Armagh in action at Casement Park |
Down trounced Armagh by a 22-point margin, 5-21 to 0-14, in Saturday night's one-sided Ulster SHC quarter-final at Casement Park. Gareth Johnston bagged a hat-trick of goals and finished with a tally of 3-4. Johnston scored two goals to help his side to a 2-10 to 0-8 lead at the break and Johnston, Simon Wilson and Paul Braniff added goals after the break. Derry picked up a 4-10 to 3-12 win over London thanks to an injury-time goal by substitute Sam Dodds. London had led for most of the game but it was Derry who triumphed by one point as they recovered from a disappointing Christy Ring Cup campaign. The Exiles signalled their early intent when Kevin McMullen crashed home a goal after 35 seconds, but Derry weren't far off and came back into contention with Michael Kirkpatrick despatching the first of their quartet of goals in the eighth minute. The industrious Martin Finn kept London in touch, but a 15th minute Donal Leahy goal helped Derry to a 2-7 to 1-6 interval lead. Derry kept the momentum going with Eugene McGuckin despatching their third goal a minute after the restart. However the Oak Leafers failed to shake off a dogged London outfit with McMullin's second goal ensured his side came within a brace of scores of the eventual winners. A strong closing ten minutes earned Derry victory as points from Ruairi Convery, Oisin and Paddy McCloskey, couplled with Dodds goal saw them break four points clear. Although Martin Finn completed London's hat-trick late on, it was too little too late as Derry held out for victory. In the evening's second game, Armagh had Barry McCormack dismissed through a red card a minute after half-time. Conor O'Prey, Simon Wilson and Paul Braniff caused Armagh plenty of problems with fine points from all angles.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?