February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Westput 0-14, Down 3-12
Down emerged triumphant in this battle for a playoff position in the Junior A football division Sunday at Gaelic Park. Both sides have experienced topsy-turvy seasons. Westput suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Donegal a couple of weeks ago, and the draw they had with Fermanagh did them no favors whatsoever. Westput needed the win to ensure qualification, whereas Down, following their fine win over Dublin a couple of weeks back, needed this victory plus a win over rivals Rockland to reach the last four. With sides such as Rangers and Donegal also in the hat, it will not be an easy ride for whoever does make it to the last four.
Down opened as the stronger side, with Marty Middleton hitting an early goal and Damian Gormley capping a fine performance with five first-half points. Marty McGivern, as usual, was fantastic at the back for the Ulster side, and hit a point in the second half to put the icing on another great personal performance for Down. Westput, had their own lethal weapon in Ronan Goulding, who continued with his scoring streak to hit five points for his side, and at times threaten the Down lads with stealing victory.
Down entered the halftime break four points to the good thanks in no small part to Middleton’s goal and a further three-pointer from Chris McManus. Westput fought back valiantly in the second half hour. Efforts from Goulding, Danny Leavy, Conor Martin and Philip Reilly all counted, but Down’s persistent attacking and dogged defending prevented the lads from upstate from snatching the much-needed goal.
Down continued to make the scores count, with their attacking providing much-needed dividends. Points from Conor McArdle, Gormley, and a late late goal from substitute Steven McGee gave the Ulster side a hugely important, and more than a little deserved victory. The result means that both sides are still in with a shout, but a lot depends upon the Rockland vs. Down game in a few weeks at the park. One not to be missed.
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Westput: James Beatty, Mike Conway, Sean Burke, Jim Stanton, Ronan McCaffery, Brendan Owens, John Higgins, Conor Martin (0-2), Phil Reilly (0-3), Sean Brennan, Ronan Goulding (0-5), Danny Leavy (0-2), Kevin McManus, Alan Barry (0-2), Jimmy Burke. Sub: Mike Deere.
Down: John Morgan, Ronan Kearney, Liam Murray, Kevin Shepherd, Marty McGivern (0-1), Collie Mathers, Jake Rooney (0-1), Finbarr Caulfield, Adrian Browne, Marty Middleton (1-0), Conor McArdle (0-2), James McDonogh, Plunkett Tuohy, Damian Gormley (0-8), Chris McManus (1-0). Sub Steven McGee (1-0).