Down 0-14

Leitrim 0-12

AFTER an opening 15 minute period when they had given up a penalty, and were behind by 0-5 to 0-1, Down slowly and methodically came back into this Senior A football semifinal and booked their place in the county final against Kerry next week.

With Patrick Downey starting in the middle of the park and then leading the defense on a merry dance at number 14, giving a man of the match display, they were able to clinical pick of points from frees and play. Introductions of subs and a small reshuffle of their personnel to effectively shut down Leitrim were all reasons for the win.

Add to the equation a team that constantly backs each other up with players showing constantly to keep possession, and the template was set. They never gave a knockout punch and allowed Leitrim to stick within striking distance, but after a penalty save by Mark Kelly, Down never looked like giving up a KO punch.

They are now in their third back-t-back final after successes in the Junior A and Senior B finals in 2006 and '07.

Leitrim had a glorious chance to open a big advantage when Kieran Keaveney was pulled down for a penalty with the game just three minutes old, but Dan Doona's shot from the resultant penalty was always going high for a point.

They added to it, however, with Adrian O'Connor and Robbie Moran firing over excellent scores to move into an 0-3 lead with six minutes on the clock. After a Mark Dobbins score Kenny O'Connor added a brace with two excellent drives as he cantered down the center uninhibited.

It woke up Down at this point. Sean Munnelly, Barry McElduff, Brendan McArdle and Michael Sloan started to cover acres of ground, and it helped to set up their forwards. They fired over five points against a Michael Travers point, with Sloan getting two from frees, Shannon, Downey and Maccer on the board.

Downey was very impressive on the square, and he was showing his marker a clean pair of heels in open play. After Donal Hartnett pulled one back, again Down attacked.

Three further scores, McArdle, Downey again, and a free after Downey was fouled by Sloan gave them a 0-9 to 0-7 advantage. Leitrim had one major chance to pull the lead back, but Mark Kelly made a brilliant save from Mike Creegan, who had been introduced for the unlucky John Goldrick.

The teams traded four points as the second half opened, but the exchanges were a little more intense and Jimmy Naughton had to talk to a bunch of players to calm proceedings. Mike Turley and McArdle were doing a lot of hard work for Down in open play, but for all their dominance they were still not that far ahead.

Leitrim were using the long ball into the full forward line as their main tactic, and Eugene O'Hagan spent 10 minutes eating it up. He came out with five balls in particular and was fouled on two advances while creating chances with the other three.

Kevin Anderson finished one move with a point, and after

Hartnett pulled one back, and Michael Sloan had Down's 13th point. They were making Leitrim work hard for everything, although Adrian O'Connor was making inroads with his height. That stopped however when he received two yellow cards for leg taps and received an early shower. In fairness his first seemed to be out of frustration on the ball and not the man but it was a bookable offense. It hurt their chances to no end.

When Sloan added another it meant Leitrim needed a goal, and despite their best efforts they could only pull back a Travers point. In the meantime, as the game became physical, they lost opportunities by losing frees to throw-ins after retaliation. Shane Russell also received a straight red for his part in one disturbance.

Down had stars across the field. Mark Kelly had a timely and brilliant save from the penalty; his kick outs also helped throughout the game. Eugene O'Hagan was a rock in the second half. David McGreevy sensational, Gary Cornyn, Sean Munnelly and Barry McElduff all had important moments.

Brendan McArdle was the best midfielder on show. Michael Sloan was outstanding from frees, with Mark Dobbins leading the team with his passion. Patrick Downey was outstanding for 45 minutes the switch in his marker came too late. Game was won.

Leitrim's goalkeepers, both Kieran Power and Elvis Keaveney, did not hurt them in Pa Ryan's absence. Power's kick outs gave their big midfielders a chance. Alan Foley continued his tremendous year and slowed Downey when moved to his shoulder, no easy task.

Adrian O'Connor had a good outing before his dismissal. Mike Travers took his points well; the rest of the forwards were marked out of the game. To get one point from two penalties was a major heartbreak, and the difference as Down showed they could keep with Leitrim in the point scoring business.

The physical game helped Down dictate the pace, and it certainly hindered Leitrim.

Down: 1 Mark Kelly, 2 Brian Murray, 3 Eugene O'Hagan, 4 David McGreevy, 5 Barry Annette, 6 Michael Turley, 7 Gary Cornyn, 8 Sean Munnelly, 9 Brendan McArdle (0-1), 10 Michael Sloan (0-6), 11 Mark Dobbins (0-1), 12 Kevin Anderson (0-1), 13 Fergal Shannon (0-1), 14 Patrick Downey (0-2), 15 Barry McElduff (0-1). Subs: Dermot Hayes, Sean Kelly, Liam Farrell.

Leitrim: 1 Kieran Power, 2 Mike Mulcahy, 3 Aiden Power, 4 Alan Foley, 5 Barry Kennedy, 6 James Mitchell, 7 Niall Maguire, 8 Ken O'Connor (0-2), 9 Adrian O'Connor (0-2), 10 Mike Travers (0-3), 11 Dan Doona (0-1), 12 John Goldrick, 13 Robbie Moran (0-1), 14 Donal Hartnett (0-2), 15 Kieran Keaveney. Subs: Mike Creegan., Shane Russell, Michael Slowey.

Referee: Jimmy Naughton (Roscommon).

Man of the match: Patrick Downey (Down).