St Joseph’s survive missed chances to see off The Downs in Westmeath's Clarke’s Bar Junior 1 quarter-final

St Joseph’s edged past The Downs in a cagey Clarke’s Bar Junior 1 quarter-final, played in Rochfortbridge on Saturday afternoon, September 27.

Despite a slew of missed chances for both sides, a decisive first-half goal from Jordi McDonnell and strong defending late on ensured St Joseph’s booked their spot in the semi-final, ending The Downs’ season.

A big crowd gathered in perfect autumn conditions, and The Downs started brightly. Jack Carroll converted a close-range free after just two minutes, before Dylan Carroll added a fine score from play, turning his man around the 45 and going on a run before firing over.

The Downs dominated possession throughout the opening 10 minutes, with St Joseph’s barely getting a look in, but they failed to capitalise and hit two wides during that period.

It took 13 minutes of playing time for St Joseph’s to get on the scoreboard, a well-taken point from Dean Slevin who benefited from a great ball and run from wingback Daniel Keegan.

In reply, a minute later up the other end of the pitch, Sean Colgan added a third for The Downs, which seemed to give the opposition some impetus to attack the game after a lethargic start.

Mikey Lynam received a long ball around the 21yd line, took a few steps towards goal and tried to slot it past the keeper but it hit the post and Ros Elliffe failed to convert the rebound, sending the ball wide.

Another goal chance followed at 15 minutes played when Jordi McDonnell received the ball from Dean Slevin and kicked low toward goal, but it just crept wide. But St Joseph’s kept knocking and after applying pressure on The Downs kickout that followed, they regained possession.

McDonnell received the ball again at close range and skipped around his marker and the keeper to slot the ball coolly into the net to put his team one ahead – it had been coming.

A period of missed chances followed for both teams, with two wides from The Downs and another missed goal chance for St Joseph’s, thanks to great defending from corner back Conor Daly to deny what looked to be a certain goal for Mikey Lynam.

The Downs added to the scoreboard again at 23 minutes played, a fisted point from close range from Sean Colgan, before both teams exchanged wides.

St Joseph’s went one ahead after Jake Gannon went on a lung-bursting run down the left and found Dean Slevin who kicked the ball straight between the posts from 30yds out – a well-worked team score.

Ros Elliffe found himself one-on-one with The Downs keeper Senan O’Driscoll at 27 minutes played and though the strike was powerful, O’Driscoll dived low to clutch the ball to safety. Moments later, Jordi McDonnell got on the end of an excellent through ball from Ben McDonnell and went to shoot but was too slow as O’Driscoll had him closed down and blocked the shot – coming to the rescue for a second time in as many minutes.

Ben McDonnell raised the orange flag at 28 minutes played, sailing the ball over from the right wing to put St Joseph’s three ahead before a free from Jack Carroll brought it back to two before the half-time whistle blew.

The second half began similarly to how the first ended, with two wides for The Downs either side of a missed goal chance from St Joseph’s.

Ben Harte added the first score of the half to bring The Downs within two points of the lead with a point from play at 38 minutes, before Jordi McDonnell responded with a point down the other end to atone for a missed chance minutes earlier.

Alan Conlon entered the fray for St Joseph’s at 42 minutes and was lively from the start, making runs and kicking a lovely score from just inside the arc with his first touch.

Dylan Carroll, a focal point of creativity for The Downs all game, scored a lovely point from play with less than 10 minutes left to be played, leaving a goal to win the game.

Substitute Shane Carroll added another at 58 minutes, but St Joseph’s defence stood firm and the game finished 1-8 to 0-8 in their favour.

Neither team will feel like they produced the best they are capable of on the day, but St Joseph’s continue to the semi-final, with a chance of promotion still possible, while The Downs’ season is over for the year.

St Joseph’s: Alan Farrell, Thomas Conlon, Dylan Drake, Brian Fitzgerald, Jake Gannon, Andy Conway, Daniel Keegan, Noah McDonnell, Ros Elliffe, Ben McDonnell, Dean Slevin, Brian Keegan, Jordi McDonnell, Mikey Lynam, Andy Scally. Subs: Alan Conlon, Dylan McDonnell, Frankie Day, Niall Moran.

Scorers: J. McDonnell 1-1, D. Slevin 0-2, B. McDonnell 0-2, A. Conlon 0-2, D. McDonnell 0-1.

The Downs: Senan O’Driscoll, Cian McCourt, Trevor Fitzpatrick, Conor Daly, Dan O’Callaghan, Keith Carroll, Darragh Smith, Oisin Loughlin, Dean Clarke, Shane Murtagh, Dylan Carroll, Tadgh Nolan, Jack Carroll, Ben Harte, Sean Colgan. Subs: Taylor Daly, Kevin Smullen, Shane Carroll.

Scorers: J. Carroll 0-2 (2f), D. Carroll 0-2, S. Colgan 0-2, B. Harte 0-1, S. Carroll 0-1.

Referee: Brendan Keena