The Down under-20s team advanced to the Ulster final after an impressive victory over Monaghan. The Down team put in a dominant display from start to finish, blowing their opponents away and securing a spot in the final. The young squad showed skill and determination on the pitch, with standout performances from key players. RTE.ie brings you the latest news and analysis from the match, as well as an overview of what’s to come in the final.
Down blew Monaghan away in the semi-final match of the EirGrid Ulster U20 Football Championship, winning by eight points, and advancing to the final. In an impressive performance, Down dominated the match from start to finish, with their attacking moves keeping Monaghan on the backfoot. This victory now sets up a rematch with their archrivals Donegal in the final, whom they lost to in the group stage. The final will be played next week, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
This win has come as a great relief to Down, who, after losing to Donegal in the group stage, were under extreme pressure to win this match. And they did not disappoint. Their attacking combination of Josh Doherty, Paraic Chambers and Mattie McCartan proved too much for the Monaghan defense to handle. And their solid defense, combined with some excellent saves from goalkeeper Kyle Havern, denied Monaghan any chance of scoring in the second half.
The Ulster U20 Championship is a prestigious tournament, and it is great to see these young players performing at such a high level. Down will now be hoping to take this momentum into the final and avenge their earlier defeat to Donegal. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain their form and secure the championship title. Fans are looking forward to the final with great anticipation, and they will be hoping for an exciting and closely contested match.
In conclusion, it was a dominating performance by Down as they blew Monaghan away to secure their place in the Ulster Under-20 final. Led by their captain Pierce Laverty, who scored a sensational goal, Down proved to be too strong for their opponents in all areas of the pitch. Despite the best efforts of Monaghan, they simply could not match the intensity and style of play of their opponents. Down will now face either Tyrone or Cavan in the final, where they will be hoping to replicate their impressive display from today’s game. It was a deserved victory for Down and they will be feeling confident heading into the final.
