Down made a sensational return to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg when brushing aside the challenge of hosts Clare in front of just 1,556.
Soaring to last year’s Tailteann Cup honours, Conor Laverty’s side clearly carried that momentum to Ennis as they physically bullied the home side into submission long before the final whistle. Pre-match predictions on Twin Casino’s GAA betting platform had Down as slight favorites at 4/6, but few would have anticipated the sheer dominance they would display, with in-play odds shifting dramatically after their explosive first-half performance.
Indeed, with the aid of the conditions, the Ulster side effectively had the job done by half-time as timely goals from John McGeough and Daniel Guinness were accentuated by two-point braces for Pat Havern and Danny Magill to soar unassailably 2-17 to 1-06 clear by the break.
With nothing to lose, Clare did finally bounce off the ropes in the third quarter but a five-point blitz from Mark McInerney could only lessen the arrears to ten at 2-20 to 1-13 by the three-quarters mark.
Visitors Show No Mercy
That home rally only seemed to anger the visitors though as with eight minutes remaining, Down had stretched the gap to 17, highlighted by a well-worked goal from substitute Caolan Mooney.
“We came here with a point to prove,” said Down manager Conor Laverty afterward. “There’s been a lot of talk about whether Tailteann Cup teams could compete at this level, and I think we’ve given a pretty emphatic answer today.”
The win establishes Down as serious contenders in Group 3, with their physicality and clinical forward play serving notice to group rivals Monaghan and Louth that the Mournemen have returned to the top tier with genuine ambition.
“We didn’t come back to the Sam Maguire just to make up the numbers,” continued Laverty. “This group has been building steadily over the last couple of years, and today was about making a statement. But it’s just one game – we’ve got tougher tests ahead.”
Early Goals Set the Tone
The tone was set early when John McGeough ignited Down’s challenge with a flicked major from close range in only the sixth minute. The goal seemed to deflate the Banner County, who struggled to gain any foothold in midfield where the Guinness brothers and Danny Magill dominated proceedings.
“We just couldn’t match their intensity from the start,” admitted Clare manager Peter Keane. “They were bigger, stronger, faster all over the pitch. We were second to everything, and when you’re playing catch-up against a quality side like Down, it becomes a mountain to climb.”
Down’s second goal showcased their counter-attacking prowess. It stemmed from a Clare error that was intercepted by midfielder Daniel Guinness, who picked up possession in his own half and burst forward, playing a one-two with Odhran Murdock before striking to the left corner of Eamon Tubridy’s net to make it 2-13 to 0-05.
The goal exemplified the difference between the sides – Down were ruthless and direct, while Clare looked labored and hesitant.
Brief Banner Resistance
A motivated Clare did pull back an equally eye-catching goal a minute later when Brian McNamara, Eoin Cleary, Mark McInerney and Alan Sweeney combined to play in Aaron Griffin to finish. However, it would be cancelled out by Pat Havern’s three-point haul, including his 19th two-pointer of 2025, to ease 14 points in front by half-time.
“That goal showed what we’re capable of when we move the ball quickly,” reflected Clare forward Eoin Cleary. “But it was too little, too late. Down were already in control, and we just couldn’t build any sustained momentum.”
Clare’s shooting efficiency was particularly poor, converting just six of their 15 first-half scoring opportunities, while Down were ruthless, registering scores from 19 of their 23 attacks.
“Our conversion rate was the difference,” said Down’s Danny Magill, who finished with 0-7. “We’ve been working hard on our shooting, especially from distance with the new rules, and it’s paying off. When you’re putting over scores from all angles, it puts huge pressure on the opposition.”
Second-Half Surge Falls Short
Despite the wind advantage to come, there would be no reprieve of any real note for Peter Keane’s side. The Banner did show brief signs of life in the third quarter, with Mark McInerney finding his range to kick five points in a 10-minute spell.
“We spoke at half-time about restoring some pride,” said McInerney, who finished as Clare’s top scorer with 0-6. “The game was probably beyond us, but we wanted to show something to our supporters. For a brief period there, we managed that.”
However, Down never looked in danger of relinquishing their grip on the contest. Their bench made an immediate impact, with Caolan Mooney’s goal eight minutes from time putting an exclamation point on a dominant display.
“Our squad depth is something we’ve worked hard to develop,” explained Laverty. “When you can bring players of Caolan’s quality off the bench, it gives us another dimension. Everyone who came on today made a positive contribution.”
