GAA: Down book final spot
DOWN clung on desperately at the end of a pulsating All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final agianst Kildare at Croke Park to set up a showdown with Cork at the same venue on September 19.
Benny Coulter's controversial goal helped the Mourne men into a 1-9 to 0-7 lead at the break and they managed to hold on in spite of a Kildare fightback in the final stages.
Down manager James McCartan was both pleased and relieved after the dramatic 1-16 to 1-14 win over Kildare in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final in Dublin.
"We were six points up with 10 minutes left but Kildare just kept coming and the last shot which hit the bar could have gone anywhere," said McCartan.
"We looked dangerous in patches and when we got the ball to our forward line we could create chances to score.
"It was a great victory but we have won nothing yet."
McCartan added: "We started off slowly and in the first quarter we were living on scraps.
"We were delighted to get the goal and we kicked on from there, taking over in the last part of the first half and opening part of the second half.
"Peter Fitzpatrick came in and he is beginning to fulfil his potential while Kalum King had another monster game.
"We are delighted to have Martin Clarke back with us, he is such a vital player."
Coulter praised his team's defence after the narrow success at headquarters.
"At the end it was a bit panicky but thankfully the final whistle blew," he said.
"Our performance was good and the defence held out very well.
"We thought they would come out fast and we would have to stay with them, so we didn't think we would be three points up after 25 minutes.
"We are there in the final and we are absolutely delighted."
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Monday 13 February 2012
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