'I've looked at it every day' - TV graphic omitting Down a motivator for Laverty

Donegal were stunned in the Ulster SFC on Sunday. 

Down manager Conor Laverty in Letterkenny. Pic: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty

Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21 

It was, as Down's manager Conor Laverty put it, “a marquee win.” As his panel made their way to Donegal for Letterkenny’s first championship game since 1951, few, if any, even considered giving them a chance. They hadn’t even entered some of the conversions.

Jim McGuinness, in his six years in charge over two spells, only knows Ulster finals, but this year there will be a new name on the Anglo Celt and Donegal’s hopes for a maiden three-in-a-row are now over.

Afterwards, Laverty showed a few of the media in attendance his screensaver, a graphic of the provincial draw, which was shown on television with the semi-finals reading “Donegal v Armagh/Tyrone.” 

“Last night I showed them this,” he said of the graphic he’s been looking at for three weeks. “I've looked at it every day.” 

A late brace of goals from Miceal Rooney was ultimately the difference, although Down had scaled their way towards the win - it was far from a smash and grab.

“The big challenge to the players was that we felt that over this past number of years that we've been close to a marquee win against Armagh and against Donegal,” he said. “But just in moments, even last year, when we had the opportunity near the end of the game, we didn't take them. But today I felt the lads really stood up.

“We looked at Donegal and studied them in great detail. We approached this in a different manner. Before we were looking to bring teams down the straight, when the plan today was to get up and get at it.” Down led 0-11 to 1-7 at half-time, with the last score of the half coming from Caolan Mooney with the sound of the hooter ringing in his ears.

It was the very least the visitors deserved. Down made use of some limited possession and Donegal’s wastefulness in front of the post to open themselves up a promising advantage of 0-8 to 0-4 on 27 minutes. Ryan McEvoy’s two-pointer gave their support some real belief.

At that stage, only Oisin Gallen had pointed from play for Donegal, while Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness had already started to leave a significant footprint on the contest.

With neither goalkeeper overly tested in 28 minutes and Down content with how things were going, suddenly the contest sprang into life. Conor O’Donnell of Donegal skied one, although it proved to be awkward when it dropped, Caolan McGonagle had poked home a Donegal goal.

From the restart, Down weren’t hiding in their shells and Gavin Mulreany in the Donegal goal made a vital save and almost instantly, Michael Murphy played Gallen in for a third goal chance in as many minutes. Down goalkeeper Ronan Burns did enough to save and ensure that Donegal only got a point, which levelled it at 1-5 to 0-8.

It was a warning as on 42 minutes, Guinness cut some daisies with a piercing shot into the bottom corner and surprised everyone in attendance. It put Down three points in front again, 1-12 to 1-9 and proved they certainly weren’t for wilting.

Without Langan, Donegal weren’t overly eager to take on two-pointers, although Jason McGee helped get Donegal back on terms from outside of the arc, making it 1-15 to 1-15. Murdock’s point to edge Down back in front looked wide to many, with referee Paddy Neilan checking with his umpires.

Again, though, just when it looked as though Down might crack, they stayed on track. Rooney, five minutes from time, took advantage to net with five minutes to go, having been fed by Ceilum Doherty and then was on hand to slap home his side’s third goal to seal the win.

Donegal scorers: M Murphy 0-7, tpf, 4f; O Gallen 0-5; C McGonagle 1-0; C O’Donnell 0-3; J McGee, P Mogan and S Malone 0-2, tp;

Down scorers: P Havern 0-7, tp,4f; M Rooney 2-0; D Guinness 1-3; A Crimmins 0-4; O Murdrock 0-3; R McEvoy 0-2, tp; C Mooney 0-1; C Doherty 0-1.

Donegal: G Mulreaney; C McColgan, B McCole, E Bán Gallagher; R McHugh, C McGonagle, F Roarty; J McGee, H McFadden; S O’Donnell, C Moore, P Mogan; C O’Donnell, M Murphy, O Gallen. Subs: D Ó Baoill for Moore (40), M Campbell for McHugh (47), M Curran for Gallagher (59), S Malone for Gallen (60) 

Down: R Burns; P Fegan, Pi Laverty, C Rogers; C Mooney, S Annett, D Guinness; O Murdrock, R McEvoy; M Rooney, C Doherty, J McGeough; A Crimmins, P Havern, P McPolin. Subs: L Kerr for McGeough (45), F McElroy for Fegan (49), J Doran for Mooney (57), R Magill for McPolin (60), R McCormick for C Rogers (66) Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon).