Down 1-7
Dublin 1-15
JIM GAVIN’S DUBLIN have made it five wins from five outings in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League.
The holders had a 1-4 haul from Cormac Costello in Newry this evening, as the All-Ireland kingpins recovered from a sluggish start to inflict yet another defeat on pointless Down.
Dublin were pushed harder than they might have expected but still won comfortably to all but guarantee themselves a place in the Allianz League semi-finals.
A rare blunder by skipper Stephen Cluxton, who spilled a high ball into the back of his net after five minutes, gifted Down a 1-2 to 0-1 lead early on but Jim Gavin’s side regrouped well.
They hit an unanswered 1-7 in a 16-minute spell to lead by five points at the break.
Costello hit the goal after 18 minutes on the rebound after Kevin McManamon’s initial shot was blocked.
Down produced a much-improved display but their relegation from Division One is all but guaranteed.
The Mournemen hit the woodwork twice in the last few minutes, but Dublin were always able to raise their game whenever they had to.
After Cluxton’s mistake, Dublin responded in style and within a four minute spell, they turned a five-point deficit into a two-point lead.
Down failed to score for 27 minutes, before Donal O’Hare’s 35th minute free left them trailing by 1-8 to 1-3 at the break.
Dublin hit three of the first four points after the break to stretch their lead out to seven after 43 minutes, McManamon chipping over a point after Down ‘keeper Michael Cunningham saved his near-post shot.
But the Dubs took their foot off the gas for a spell, and Down took full advantage with three points.
Dublin didn’t score for 13 minutes, and had Paul Flynn black-carded, before Dean Rock nailed a ’45′.
Jonny Cooper’s fisted point and a superb effort from Paddy Andrews near the sideline killed off any hopes of a Down comeback.
But the home side kept going and were unlucky when Paul Devlin’s shot thundered off the crossbar and they hit the woodwork again with two minutes to go.
Scorers for Down: Donal O’Hare 1-2 (2f), Joe Murphy 0-2, Darragh O’Hanlon 0-1, Paul Devlin 0-1, Mark McKay 0-1.
Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 1-4 (4f), Dean Rock 0-3 (1 ’45′, 1f), Ciaran Kilkenny 0-2, Kevin McManamon 0-2, Paul Flynn 0-2, Jonny Cooper 0-1, Paddy Andrews 0-1.
Down
1. Michael Cunningham (Castlewellan)
4.Darren O’Hagan (Clonduff)
21. Gerard Collins (Downpatrick)
3. Gerard McGovern (Burren)
13. Conaill McGovern (Burren)
18. Ryan Mallon (Warrenpoint)
5. Jonny Flynn (Loughinisland)
8. Peter Turley (Downpatrick)
9. Mark McKay (Burren)
12. Kevin McKernan (Burren)
7. Darragh O’Hanlon (Kilcoo)
6. Aidan Carr (Clonduff)
10. Conor Maginn (Bryansford)
15. Barry O’Hagan (Clonduff)
25. Donal O’Hare (Burren)
Subs
Joe Murphy (Ballyholland) for McKernan (BC, 6)
Paul Devlin (Kilcoo) for Mallon (48)
Luke Howard (Bryansford) for Carr (52)
Connaire Harrison (Glasdrumman) for O’Hagan (52)
Henry Brown (Clonduff) for McKay (57)
Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
4. David Byrne (St Olafs)
6. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)
3. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)
5. James McCarthy (Ballymun)
2. Philly McMahon (Ballymun)
7. John Small (Ballymun)
8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)
9. Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnog)
10. Paul Flynn (Fingallians)
12. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock)
11. Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincents)
14. Kevin McManamon (St Jude’s)
13. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
15. Dean Rock (Ballymun)
Subs
Shane B Carthy (St Vincent’s) for Flynn (BC, 44)
Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s) for McManamon (46)
Eric Lowndes (St Peregrines) for S Carthy (46)
Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street) for Fenton (52)
Tomas Brady (Na Fianna) for Costello (57),
Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens) for Cooper (64)
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