YOU JUST CANNOT KEEP A GOOD GAA COUNTY DOWN
I WATCHED Down beat Armagh in an intriguing Ulster Championship clash yesterday. Two months ago, it looked like Armagh were heading for Division 2, and that Down would drop to the third tier of League football. But Down rescued their season by staying up and Armagh were denied promotion by Tipperary on the final day. Armagh’s woe has now continued and while Kieran McGeeney has put in some enormous work, this is a setback. Down made the better start before Armagh went back to their traditional style, with long diagonal balls causing Down problems. Armagh scored two goals, could have had another couple, and at half-time it looked as if they’d push on. They had the measure of Down’s defence but Armagh walked into a trap of trying to score more goals in the second half, when points would have sufficed. Down’s half-time reshuffle worked a treat and they ran out deserved winners. Armagh marksman Jamie Clarke enjoyed a magical first half, and he played a central role in both goals, but in the second half he was anonymous. Armagh could have won this game with points but they didn’t, and only managed three of them in the second half. What this game illustrated is that counties with tradition, even if their confidence is on the floor, can resurrect themselves almost from nowhere at times. Down will gain huge confidence from this and are still capable of producing exciting players. Caolan Mooney really impressed me and the other wing-back, Darragh O’Hanlon, scored four points. Armagh could still go on some kind of run in the qualifiers but they’ll need their luck to turn. They’re a young side but we’re all comparing them to the great Armagh sides of the past, and maybe that’s unfair. There’s a lack of experience in the team, as proven when they failed to chisel out a victory when it was there for the taking. They have a lot of talent up front but were soundly beaten around the middle third for most of the game. Elsewhere, Laois imploded after scoring a first-minute goal against Kildare, while Meath racked up a big score against Louth. You’d hope Kildare or Meath can challenge the Dubs’ supremacy in Leinster. But the signs are they will prove too strong in the province again.