Down hurlers outclass Armagh

June 1st, 2009

Ulster SHC Quarter-final
Down 5-21 Armagh 0-14

Three Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnston goals helped Down to an easy 5-21 to 0-14 victory over Armagh in Saturday evening’s Ulster SHC semi-final at Casement Park.

Johnston, one of the most talented players in Ulster, scored 3-4 totally and the scoreline did not flatter the Mournemen, for whom Paul Branniff and Owen Clarke also hit majors.

Johnston’s first goal came on ten minutes and he added another not long before the break, at which point it was 2-10 to 0-8.

Such was the gulf in quality, Armagh managed merely three points from play, with Paul Breen hitting 0-11 from frees.

Armagh lost defender Barry McCormack to a straight red card in the opening minute of the second half and there was never any subsequent prospect of an upset.

Simon Wilson hit 0-7, one of them from play, while James Coyle scored three points before Johnston’s third goal late on.

Down set up a clash with Derry by virtue of this win.

Down: G Clarke A Dynes, S Murray, S Ennis, F Conway, R McGrattan, M Ennis, A Savage, C O’Prey (0-2, 1f), C Woods, P Branniff (1-2), S Wilson (0-7, 5f, 1 ’65’), J Coyle 0-3, G Johnston (3-4, 0-1f), O Clarke (1-0).

Subs: A Higgins (0-1) for O’Prey, G Clarke for Wilson, M Coulter (0-1) for Dynes, E Trainor (0-1) for O Clarke.

Armagh: J Burke, B Mallon, F McMullen, P Gaffney, B McCormack, N Curry, J Corvan, E McDonnell, B McCann, K McKiernan, R Gaffney, D Coulter 0-2, P Breen (0-12, 11f), G Enright, C Carvill.

Subs: R Digby for McDonnell, C Kane for Corvan, T Turley for Carville,

Referee: R Mathews (Antrim).

– Video: Down manager Jim McKernan speaks after the defeat of Armagh
– Photo Gallery: Down v Armagh USHC