Down on the ‘up’ as Orchardmen are easy pickings
Down upped the ante in the second half to beat a young and experimental Armagh by 2-12 to 0-10 at Pairc Esler.
There was a late start at Newry as the competitive GAA season opened in style with this mouth-watering clash of these deadly rivals and captain Daniel Hughes had Down ahead after three minutes.
Down dominated the early part of the game and held a healthy advantage at half-time, and when Armagh threatened to really make a game of it, the Mourne County upped their game once more.
It was double scores in favour of James McCartan’s men – 1-7 to 0-5 – at half time, with Ryan Brady notching the game’s first goal after 14 minutes.
Aidan Carr, Marcus Miskelly, Danny Hughes and Dan Gordon also fired points for the hosts before the interval.
Stephen Faulkner, Stefan Campbell, Aidan Forker, Brian Mallon and Billy Joe Padden were the Orchard County’s first-half score-getters, but the visitors never quite got going today.
Liam Doyle (free), Ryan Rafferty and Micheal O’Rourke recorded points at either end as Down led by 1-8 to 0-7.
A tight finish was in prospect but Down stormed clear in the closing stages, taking total control of proceedings.
Substitute Conor Laverty recorded their second goal twelve minutes from the end and Doyle, Lavery and Miskelly hit points for the slick winners.
Benny Coulter came on to a rapturous reception and got his first point of 2012 six minutes from the end. Armagh’s Brian Mallon registered the last point of the afternoon.
Dr McKenna Cup round one results:
Tyrone 1-13 1-05 Queens
Fermanagh 2-11 1-06 Antrim
Monaghan 0-14 0-06 St Mary’s
Down 2-12 0-10 Armagh
Derry 0-13 0-12 Cavan
Donegal 0-09 0-11 UUJ
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