By Peter McGrath Jnr
Shane Annett’s stoppage-time winner makes it two wins from two for Laverty’s men
Allianz Football League
Division Three, R2
Limerick 1-14 Down 0-18
By Peter McGrath Jnr
DOWN’S victory over Limerick on Saturday was dramatic rather than emphatic – an injury time point from Mayobridge’s Shane Annett the difference at the end of the 70 minutes. Nonetheless, the win made it two from two and leaves the Mourne side in a good position to propel themselves towards promotion when the league resumes after a break this weekend.
Though they were promoted from Division Four in 2025, Limerick aren’t a side to be taken lightly. They played out a good draw with Laois in the first round of the league and were in the Tailteann Cup final last year. They showed great heart and stickability at times in the course of this game, plugging away, never letting Down get out of sight and, in the end, they will consider themselves unlucky not to have come away with at least a share of the spoils.
Down settled quickest. Despite points for the home side from Andrew Meade and Barry Coleman, the visitors shot into a six-point lead. Daniel Guinness, one of Down’s best players on the day, got their first score and it was quickly followed by a point from Drumgath’s Pearse McPolin. Pat Havern wasn’t at his usual, unerring self as he struck several wides, but he did land a two pointer to make it 0-4 to 0-2. Ceilum Doherty, Ryan McEvoy, Odhran Murdock and then Doherty again strung points together as Down appeared to be moving steadily through the contest.
The hosts managed a mini revival before the interval which put a different complexion on the game. After James Naughton and Paul Maher had raised white flags, Robbie Childs punished some sloppy defensive play with a two-pointer. Down should have tidied the play up but the ball was allowed to squirm to Childs. The forward was fouled so used his advantage to carry the ball outside the arc and have a ‘free shot’ at a two-pointer which he landed in style, hooking his kick over his left shoulder to rapturous applause. Daniel Guinness did reply with a point to leave Down deservedly ahead at the interval.
Indeed, the three-point lead could have been even more comfortable but, Down were unfortunate to see a first half Ryan Magill goal disallowed for overcarrying. Daniel Guinness carried the ball at pace down the centre of the field, Magill holding a wide position until he received the ball but, as he cut in and beat a defender before blasting past the keeper, he took a couple of steps too many and a free out was awarded. Barry O’Hagan, handed a start this week, was replaced at the break as he got 35 vital minutes into the tank.
Down started the second half with renewed vigour, the half-time team talk clearly ringing in their ears as Ceilum Doherty and Pat Havern pushed the lead to five. Eliah Riordan was Limerick’s scorer in chief in the second half and he quickly landed an impressive two point free and then a one-pointer to keep Jimmy Lee’s side on Down’s coattails.
Every time Limerick closed the gap, Down seemed like they were able pull clear again and a run of three points in three minutes left the travelling fans in better spirits. Jamie Doran, O’Hagan’s replacement, got one with McPolin and Guinness then adding to their first half tallies. James Naughton hit back with a point but a wonderful Shane Annett score from near the sideline restored the five-point buffer.
Naughton again replied, converting a free after Limerick had tried to score from an advantage but failed. The home side continued to crowd Odhran Murdock in the middle to try and gain possession from kickouts. As they tried to force their way back into the game, they became ever more ambitious in their attempts and fortune favoured the homesters, as Eliah Riordan saw his attempted two-point effort blocked but the ricochet went the way of Shane Cross, and he found Danny Neville whose shot across goal beat Ronan Burns. The imminent pressure on Down was eased by Daniel Guinness as he picked off a monumental two-point score.
Limerick weren’t done yet. Riordan hit another two-point free, this one had the distance and, just into four added minutes, James Naughton equalised from a dead ball. A rainbow formed over the pitch as Gareth McKibben shot wide, but Down did find the pot of gold in the end. Tom Close made a great catch and Shane Annett showed fantastic composure to break into an area in the midst of several Limerick defenders and slotted his shot over the bar to take the points for Down.
