Down win Tailteann Cup at Croke Park

17 July 2024

DOWN senior footballers were crowned this year’s Tailteann Cup champions after overcoming Laois by a two-point margin at Croke Park on Saturday.

Conor Laverty’s Mournemen have had little luck in the past when it comes to finals at the Dublin venue, having lost out in the respective decider of last year’s Tailteann Cup against Meath and this year’s league conclusion with Westmeath, however, this time they got over the line and will be playing their football in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship next time around.

A year can make all the difference and that certainly proved to be the case at the weekend as last time these pair met in the 2023 version of the competition, at the semi-final stage, Down ped a clinic and registered an eye-watering return of 8-16 in comparison to Laois’ 2-12.

But, this year Down didn’t register a single goal, although in the end they didn’t need to.

The red and black outfit got off to a strong start thanks to a trio of points from Liam Kerr, Pat Havern and Shealan Johnston.

Although if Down fans, at this stage, were thinking that a repeat of that thrashing of before was to occur once again they were quickly brought back down to reality as Laois pointed before Seamus Lacey raised the green flag to put his team ahead for the first time after 11 minutes.

Laois only managed to kick over the bar a further two times after that while Down added five more to their tally before the half-time whistle with contributions from man of the match Odhrán Murdock, Ryan Johnston and Jonny Flynn.

It should have been so much more for the Mourne County but wayward shooting meant they kicked wide six times in what was a frustrating element to the opening half.

Nevertheless, Down were in front by two points at the interval and after the break the game remained a tight affair.

A couple of wides from Down allowed Laois to pick off their points and go level before a free which stemmed from a Ryan McEvoy foul gave them the advantage.

At this point Danny Magill entered the fray for Down and he immediately made an impact by levelling the scoring once more.

Finally, Down found their fluidity and began showing their scoring prowess.

Five more points were to follow with Peter Fegan registering Down’s last to bring their tally to 0-14 and give them a healthy gap.

However, there was late drama to follow as Down goalkeeper John O’Hare’s punched clearance after 70 minutes fell to Laois’ Mark Barry, who produced a terrific finish and lashed his effort into the net for his team’s second goal.

Barry had the chance to cut the two-point margin to one but his next effort sailed wide and Laois, who were throwing everything they had at Down, were denied a fairytale ending when Mourne skipper Pierce Laverty emerged from his goal line with the ball and cleared the danger before the final whistle sounded.

Down: J O’Hare; P Fegan (0-1), R McEvoy, P Laverty; M Rooney, D Guinness, S Johnston (0-1); Ó Murdock (0-3), P Havern (0-3, 1 free); P McCarthy, J Flynn (0-1), L Kerr (0-1); J Guinness, R Johnston (0-1), J McGovern.

Subs: C Mooney (0-1) for McGovern (39); D Magill (0-2) for Rooney (44); R Magill for J Guinness (57); C McCrickard for R Johnston (69); F McElroy for Kerr (73).

Laois: K Roche (0-1f); J Kelly, S Fingleton, M Timmons; S Lacey (1-0), B Byrne, B Dempsey; D Larkin, C Heffernan (0-1); N Dunne, E Lowry, K Swayne; M Barry (1-2, 1f), E O’Carroll (0-1), P Kingston (0-1f).

Subs: R Murphy for Lowry (57); S Fitzpatrick for Kingston (66); K Lillis for Larkin (69); C Burke for Dunne (69); E Buggie for Kelly (71).

Referee: B Griffin (Kerry).

Down 0-14

Laois 2-6

TAILTEANN CUP FINAL

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