Senior footballers secure semi-final slot

DUBLIN 1-15 DOWN 0-9

Dublin secured a semi-final placing in the Allianz FL Division 1 courtesy of this victory in Croke Park on Saturday night.

The Dubs pressed home their advantage in the second half when wind-assisted with Kevin McMamanamon’s goal in the 50th minute putting five points between the sides (1-10 to 0-8) as the home team cruised to this win.

Down could muster only a meagre two points in the second half after they lead 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval but Dublin had keeper Stephen Cluxton to thank for dealing with a few potential goal-scoring situations in the first half.

The Mourne men did make the better start and were 0-5 to 0-1 in front inside 12 minutes. However, as the half progressed the Dubs began to earn a foothold with points late in the half from Cian O’Sullivan and Nicky Devereux good reward for some good interplay.

Jim Gavin’s men maintained that momentum on the restart with Diarmuid Connolly putting over a superb point – a move that initially began with some excellent defence by Jonny Cooper.

Paddy Andrews, from long range, a Connolly free, a Cluxton ‘45’ and a fine point from the impressive Paul Mannion off his less favoured right foot put the Dubs in front 0-10 to 0-8 before the 50th minute.

Then McManamon struck for the goal that propelled the Dubs towards the winners enclosure when he held his nerve to half-volley to the net after surging through on goal.

That effectively sealed the deal for the Dubs who travel to Ballybofey in two weeks time to face All-Ireland champions Donegal in their last regulation match before their semi-final outing a week later.

SCORERS – Dublin: P Mannion 0-5 (0-3f), D Connolly 0-4 (0-3f), K McManamon 1-0, P Andrews 0-2 (0-1f), C O’Sullivan, B Cullen, N Devereux, S Cluxton ( 0-1 45) 0-1 each. Down: D O’Hare 0-3 (0-2f), M Poland 0-2 (0-1f), B McArdle, K McKernan, P McComiskey, D Savage (f) 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; J Cooper, D Daly, K O’Brien; N Devereux, G Brennan, J McCaffrey; C O’Sullivan, D Bastick; D Connolly, B Cullen, C Dias; P Mannion, P Andrews, K McManamon. Subs: MD Macauley for Bastick (23), S Carthy for Dias (47), C Guckian for Daly (52), P Ryan for Connolly (60), K Nolan for McCaffrey (66)
DOWN: B McVeigh; D O’Hagan, B McArdle, R Boyle; P McCommiskey, D Turley, P Turley; P Devlin, K Quinn; K McKiernan, M Poland, B Coulter; C Laverty, D O’Hare, A McConville. Subs: C Harrison for McConville (31), K King for Devlin (53), D McKibbin for D Turley (55), D Savage for Poland (56), R Kelly for O’Hare (59)
REF: F Kelly (Longford).
ATTENDANCE: 10,825.