The 16th Man

Benny Coulters goal in the thirteenth minute of this highly entertaining game caused a rapid change of dominance that ultimately Kildare never recovered from. Referee Pat McEnaney’s decision to allow the obvious square ball to stand risked diminishing the value of the game and Kildare certainly appeared stripped for the remainder of the opening half. The unexpected pleasure of Coulter’s goal breathed life into Down’s attacking forages. With King and Fitzpatrick providing the industry from midfield Down’s forward play erupted in brutal short bursts with Hughes, Clarke, Coulter and centre back Kevin McKernan all helping extend Down’s lead to five points (1-9 to 0-7) at the half time whistle.

Kildare unknown for starting quickly had raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 point lead up until the Coulter goal. In the opening exchanges they had no bother unhinging the Down defence and were it not for a lack of execution and some dubious umpire decision making they could have been a further five points ahead before Down’s green flag was waved so vigorously. Marty Clarke, so natural in expression, floated a long ball in toward the danger zone and Coulter made the goalmouth his castle, patiently waiting to fist the ball to the net from an illegal position. It was a goal that physically and mentally changed the game and were it not for the accuracy of Johnny Doyle, Kildare could have disappeared like Atlantis before the interval.

Clarke’s feet are so quick and accurate his eloquent composure never fails to keep Down’s attack ticking over. Time and time again his left boot carved open Kildare’s defensive lines. Clarke’s precise passes flow as purely as water through a net and as a result of his spectacular bravado Down had increased their leading margin to seven points after 56 minutes of play. Clarke’s performance was infectious and his mature reasoning whilst under pressure was bringing the best out of his fellow teammates. However Kildare did not fade in front of inevitable disaster. While their individual stars weren’t shining, together as a single unit they hung onto their sense of purpose and chomped down hard on the bit.

Long balls were finding encouraging signs for Kildare and after being denied by the post fifteen minutes earlier, Eamonn Callaghan found salvation in the 57th minute when he latched onto a Pearse O’Neill punt and dispatched the ball powerfully to the net (1-14 to 1-10). As Kildare’s progression increased with each waning minute so too did their belief. After whittling the score down to two points heading into stoppage time, the finish became one decorated by sensationalism. There was relentless pressure around the goalmouth as Kildare desperately sought the goal they craved. Kevin McKernan, first appeared to touch the ball on the ground and then dive on it as if were a loose grenade. However, no penalty was given. Then with the last kick off the game, substitute Robert Kelly saw his shot careen helplessly off the crossbar and away to safety as the final whistle sounded.

Marty Clarke gave an exceptional display of authority for one so young. He was the master puppeteer who pulled the strings which made Down dance. Clarke’s effect proved enough as Kildare’s reawakening simply came too late. Their finish to the game was brilliant but alas all too brief. By all rights Down’s flair for the majority of the game was the deciding factor on who would prevail. Kildare’s first half performance was far from the military perfection we are used to seeing them play, obviously thrown off by the candour of Coulter’s goal. Luck was just not with the Lilies today and when Down bared their teeth after Coulter’s goal they laid down foundations that refused to crack over the next highly entertaining 58 minutes.

Full Time: Down 1-16 Kildare 1-15

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