Cunningham's brace helps The Downs cruise to victory

The Downs 3-13, Shandonagh 0-10

Sometimes the main event is overshadowed by the curtain-raiser and that was the case at sunny Killucan GAA grounds on Saturday as The Downs coasted to a 12-point victory over a disappointing Shandonagh side.

The game was effectively over from the moment Matthew Cunningham fisted home the opening goal after 12 minutes and at half-time The Downs were leading by 11 points, 2-8 to 0-3, having played against the breeze. Their lead was 15 points after 40 minutes and while Shandonagh showed commendable character and spirit to score six points in the final 23 minutes, the reality is the outcome had long since been decided.

Even allowing for notable absentees, The Downs looked strong as Cunningham and Ian Martin bagged the three goals and if anything they will be disappointed not to have ran up a bigger tally. Victory ensures they have maximum points after three rounds and they are in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-final.

The Downs made a strong start, with Andrew Kilmartin scoring the first point just two minutes into the game. Lorcan Mullen followed with a close-range point, although a goal was on. Shandonagh responded in the eighth minute, with Ryan Donnelly scoring a mark to secure their first point. Ian Martin added to The Downs' tally with a well-taken free, and Kevin Boyle then scored for Shandonagh after winning Cormac Gordon's aerial delivery. Gordon himself pointed shortly after.

The Downs replied through Matthew Cunningham, who pointed after Oisin Murphy and Ciarán Nolan combined to create the opportunity. Nolan's fisted pass across the face of goal was met by Cunningham, who fisted the ball into the net in the 13th minute. Martin's free then made it 1-6 to 0-2 by the end of the first quarter. Shandonagh struck back with a quality point from Tom Molloy, set up by Gareth Carr after a fine catch by Darren McWade.

The Downs extended their lead with a second goal in the 18th minute, as Conor Coughlan and Andrew Kilmartin combined to set up Cunningham, who found the net despite the best efforts of Shandonagh's Jack O'Brien. Kilmartin and Coughlan added the final two points of the first half, leaving The Downs in a commanding position at the break.

Cunningham opened the second half with a point for The Downs, but Donnelly replied with a wonderful point for Shandonagh. The Downs then secured their third goal in the 40th minute, with Ian Martin finding the net after being set up by an unmarked Kevin Smullen, making it 3-10 to 0-4. Donnelly converted a stylish free for Shandonagh, and Conor Craig's save denied Nolan a goal. Donnelly then added another free after Cormac Coyne was fouled.

Kilmartin's pace saw him score another point for The Downs, and Boyle responded with a converted free for Shandonagh. Joe Moran's fine work led to Ian Martin scoring a neat point for The Downs, and Martin then converted another free. Despite Shandonagh claiming the final three points through Donnelly, centre-back Adam Treanor, and defender Daniel Scahill, The Downs emerged with a resounding victory.

The Downs will have tougher evenings in Molloy Park when Johnny Murray is putting them through their paces for the bigger challenges that lie ahead and the 2022 champions will quickly realise that. This was a nothing game. Strong players like Niall Mitchell, Luke Loughlin, Jonathan Lynam and Kevin O'Sullivan are absent but the squad is developing nicely as the championship progresses.

Kevin Hickey on the other hand needs to perform some heroics if Shandonagh, who are pointless after three rounds, are to avoid relegation.

Scorers – The Downs: M Cunningham 2-3, I Martin 1-4 (0-3f), A Kilmartin 0-3, C Coughlan 0-2, L Mullen 0-1.

Shandonagh: R Donnelly 0-5 (2f; 1m), C Gordon, T Molloy, K Boyle (free), A Treanor and D Scahill 0-1 each.

The Downs – Trevor Martin; Eanna Burke, Peter Murray, Andrew Shaw; Joe Moran, Charlie Drumm, Oisín Murphy; Liam Moran, Conor Coughlan; Kevin Smullen, Andrew Kilmartin, Lorcan Mullen; Ciarán Nolan, Ian Martin, Matthew Cunningham. Subs: Shane Murtagh and Oisín Loughlin for K Smullen and O Murphy (46), Billy Moffatt for Shaw (50), K Smullen for Kilmartin (53), O Murphy for Coughlan (inj., 58).

Shandonagh – Conor Craig; Daniel Scahill, Jack O’Brien, Ben Treanor; Cathal Craig, Adam Treanor, Gareth Carr; Darren McWade, Cormac Gordon; Luke Tynan, Brian Kavanagh, Cormac Coyne; Tom Molloy, Ryan Donnelly, Kevin Boyle. Subs: John Fry for Cathal Craig (inj., 46), Mark Kerrigan for B Treanor (58), Jake Costello for Tynan (50), Brenan McVeigh for McWade (56), Eoin Quinn for Gordon (inj., 58).

Ref: Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).