Down put the clampers on London feelgood factor

Daniel Guinness had six points for Down.  Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Tailteann Cup: London 0-10 Down 1-24

Down brought London back to earth with a comprehensive Tailteann Cup win in Ruislip to extend their strong start to the competition.

Daniel Guinness and Patrick Havern bagged 12 points each for the winners, with Miceal Rooney adding five. But it was an Odhran Murdock penalty early in the second half and delivered breathing space, putting Down 1-14 to 0-6 ahead. 

London had started briskly, buoyed by the opening round win over Offaly. Ciaran Diver got them off the mark and he had five points in all.

But Down, who beat Limerick first time out, began to pull away midway through that first period and led by three at the break. 

London found scores hard to come by in the second period and now face Limerick in their final game with the sides locked on two points each.

Scorers for Down: P Havern (3 frees), D Guinness (0-6 each); M Rooney (0-5); O Murdock (1-1); D McGill (0-2); R McEvoy, R Magill, C McCrickard, G McKibben (0-1 each)

Scorers for London: C Diver (0-5, 3 frees); S Rafter (0-2 frees); R Rafferty, J Obahor, T Barry (0-1 each)

DOWN: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, P McCarthy; R Magill, P Laverty (Captain), S Johnston; D Guinness, O Murdock; M Rooney, S Annett, J McGovern; J Guinness, P Havern, G McKibben 

Subs: D McGill for S Arnett (30), O Savage for G McKibben (H/T), E Brown for J Guinness (53), C McCrickard  for S Johnston (55), J Flynn for P Havern (64) 

LONDON: A Walsh; E Walsh (Captain), C Healy, C  McKeon; O Kerr, L Gallagher, A McLoughlin; M Carroll, J Obahor; S Dornan, D Clarke, C Diver; R Rafferty, S Rafter, F Eastwood 

Subs: N McElwaine for F Eastwood (12), DJ O’Flaherty for M Carroll (22), J McGill for D Clarke (52), T Barry for L Gallagher (59), M Miller for A McLoughlin (59) 

Referee: B Tiernan