Down Win Tailteann Cup Final in Croke Park

Sunday 14th July 2024

Recap and reaction as Down lift the Tailteann Cup after gritty two-point win over Laois

Mark Barry's stunning late goal set up grandstand finish, but the Mournemen held firm to secure Sam Maguire Cup football for next season 

Tailteann Cup final: Down 0-14 Laois 2-6

By Paddy Tierney  

Down have secured Sam Maguire Cup football following a gritty two-point win over Laois in Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final at Croke Park.

The Mournemen were the better team for the majority of the game, but goals in either half, including a stunning late strike from Mark Barry, kept the O’Moore County in contention.

Laois were hit for four goals inside the opening 16 minutes of last season’s semi-final clash between the teams and, while they didn’t concede a goal in the first half, they were three points down inside the first four minutes.

Liam Kerr, Pat Havern and Shealan Johnston were on target early on before Mary Barry settled the Laois nerves with a well-worked score.

Laois hit their first goal somewhat against the run of play as James Kelly’s ball over the top put Brian Byrne through on goal. Down goalkeeper John O’Hare came off his line to fist the ball away from Byrne, but his clearance fell to Seamus Lacey who tucked the ball into the left-hand corner of the net.

Down rallied and outscored Laois 0-5 to 0-2 for the remainder of the half with Odhran Murdock landing two classy points from play as the Mournemen led 0-8 to 1-3 at the break.

Justin McNulty’s half-time teamtalk appeared to work the oracle as Laois hit three unanswered points on the restart via Conor Heffernan, Barry (free) and Paul Kingston (free).

Conor Laverty rolled the nice and introduced Caolan Mooney and Danny Magill early in the second half and the pair had a great impact with Magill kicking two points within minutes of being introduced. He also had a hand in Murdock’s third point as Down regained the advantage.

Further scores from Mooney, Pat Haverrn and Peter Fegan put Down into a five-point lead late on and the result seemed beyond doubt.

However, there was a final twist as Laois plundered their second goal. James Kelly’s long-ball in was punched clear once more and Barry collected the ball 25 metres from goal and rifled the ball into the top corner of the net to set up a grandstand finish.

Barry missed a chance to draw within one moments later and Laois couldn’t fashion another goal chance and Down held on to claim the Tailteann Cup and, with it, a place in the All-Ireland series next summer.

Down scorers: Odhran Murdock 0-3, Pat Havern 0-3 (0-1f), Danny Magill 0-2, Peter Fegan 0-1, Shealan Johnston 0-1, Jonny Flynn 0-1, Ryan Johston 0-1, Liam Kerr 0-1, Caolan Mooney 0-1.

Laois scorers: Mark Barry 1-2 (0-1f), Seamus Lacey 1-0, Killian Roche 0-1 (0-1f), Conor Heffernan 0-1, Evan O’Carroll 0-1, Paul Kingston 0-1 (0-1f).