Sport

Goals make the difference

All-Ireland Under-21 FC Semi-finals/ Down 2-7 Dublin 0-9: Paddy O'Rourke is renowned for preaching that goals win matches

Pat Roche At Pairc Tailteann
Mon May 02 2005 - 01:00

All-Ireland Under-21 FC Semi-finals/ Down 2-7 Dublin 0-9: Paddy O'Rourke is renowned for preaching that goals win matches. The Down manager's mantra was never more relevant than in Navan on Saturday.

O'Rourke's side netted immediately before (James McGovern) and after (Niall McArdle) the interval. Down goalkeeper Declan Alder saved at least three Dublin goalbound shots and to begin with, Down missed a penalty.

At the end of an entertaining if error-ridden match the general view was that Down deserved their win and a place in next week's final. O'Rourke's talented young players combined better with the short pass and were generally more street-wise outfit.

Barney Rock, a Dublin selector who helps out with coaching, described McGovern's goal in time added on before the break as a real body blow. Dublin manager Paddy Canning felt the second goal within two minutes of the restart was "a sickener".

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Alder, a Belfast man, who fortunately for Down hails from the most southern part of the city that stretches into Carryduff, his home club, was given a standing ovation when retiring injured in the closing stages after making another daredevil save.

Down's victory was also based on the staunch play of half backs Darragh Neeson, James Colgan and Darren Cunningham.

All of the Down forwards with the exception of play-maker Aidan Carr, a son of former great Ross, scored. Wing forward Conor Laverty was a big success.

Corner forward Mark Poland dropped back to help out in midfield for the second half when Dublin, with an interval deficit of 1-5 to 0-3, were expected to attack more, aided by the wind.

Dublin's introduction of Declan O'Mahony aided the sterling work of centre back Bryan Cullen, Ian Ward and Kevin Leahy but their last-quarter edge failed to yield the desired results.

DOWN: D Alder; E Henry, M Rooney, N McEvoy; D Neeson, J Colgan, D Cunningham; A Rogers, M McClean; C Laverty (0-2), A Carr, N McArdle (1-0); M Poland (0-1), J McGovern (1-2), J Brown (0-2). Subs: J Ireland for McArdle (51 mins), C Lynchehan for Alder (57 mins), M Miskelly for Carr (60 mins)

DUBLIN: M Savage; A Downes, R Fallon, D McCann; N Cooper, B Cullen (0-1), I Ward (0-1); E Fennell, B Phelan; K Leahy (0-2, free, '45), D Dineen (0-1), G O'Meara; J O'Brien, M Davoran, B Brogan (0-4). Subs: D O'Mahony for O'Meara (29 mins), C Moore for Fennell (33 mins), J Coughlan for O'Brien (40 mins), B Kennedy for Leahy (54 mins), G Brennan for Dineen (56 mins).

Referee: P Carney (Roscommon).