Bell inspires RGU

Bell inspires RGU

DOWNPATRICK produced an electrifying surge of sizzling, attacking football midway through the second half to subdue Longstone at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil on Friday night.

D. J. Kane’s young charges had largely played second fiddle to the wasteful visitors, but a mesmeric period of dynamic play from the Hoops and Sean Bell in particular, saw RGU turn a 0-9 to 1-3 deficit into a 2-9 to 0-10 lead by the 53rd minute, a lead they steadfastly refused to relinquish in the dying stages.

Bell may have been the main catalyst for Downpatrick’s win, but their stand-out performer on the night was Mark Slavin in the half back line with good cameo performances from Michael Magee, Braniff, Deeny and Anthony Doherty. 

Longstone started like a runaway train and with just 30 seconds on the clock Conor Poland opened the scoring with a point from play after a rampaging run from Ambrose Rogers.

Downpatrick’s riposte was swift and effective. Joe Fegan. Michael Magee and Gerard Collins were all involved in the build-up before Conor McGrady buried the ball in the back of the net with only four minutes gone.

Magee then stretched RGU’s lead with a super score, but Longstone had their chances in this period as well, but their finishing was abysmal. They missed two easy looking frees before Daithi Young was denied a goal chance when his effort from close in was brilliantly smothered by ‘keeper James Deeny.

Michael Ireland finally lofted over Longstone’s second score in the 10th minute and this was quickly followed by a converted free from Ryan Kelly to leave the visitors trailing 1-1 to 0-3.

Kelly then wasted another glorious goal chance as Longstone continued profligacy in front of goal before McGrady pointed RGU two points clear in the 18th minute.

This score was negated by Ireland, Longstone’s most dangerous forward, in the 23rd minute and as the half drew to a close, the visitors added further points from Kelly and Ireland to take a 0-6 to 1-2 lead into the break.

Longstone were again out of their blocks quickly at the start of the second half and points from Kelly and two points from Kelly had them three clear by the 36th minute.

McGrady and Ireland exchanged points in the next few minutes before Sean Bell took the game by the scruff of the neck. He started running at the Longstone defence and turned the game on its head.

His first powerful run into the heart of the ‘Stone defence ended with McGrady taking a fisted point and with 43 minutes gone Magee pointed from distance to leave a single point in it.

Conor Poland and Johnny Collins swapped points before RGU were awarded a penalty when Damian Braniff, who had joined in the attack from his full back berth, was fouled in the act of shooting.

Fegan was as cool as a bottle of Bud Ice as he stepped up and beat Colin Trainor to give RGU a 2-6 to 0-10 lead after 46 minutes. Magee and McGrady (2) tagged on points to send RGU well clear with seven minutes remaining.

Back came Longstone and points from Kelly and Ireland had them within touching distance of the home side. Ireland seemed destined to bring the sides level when he worked himself into a goal position, but Deeny saved the day with another sensational stop.

All Longstone could muster in the dying exchanges, despite RGU having Gerard Collins being sent off to a red card after a second yellow and Johnny Bell to a black card, was a point from play from Ireland.

Downpatrick: J. Deeny, D. Braniff, C. Curran, J. Bell, M. Slavin, A. Doherty, N. Cunningham, P. Turley, D. Turley, S. Bell, J. Fegan (1-0), J. Collins (0-1), M. Magee (0-3), C. McGrady (1-5), G. Collins. Sub used: A. McNeill for J. Bell (black card).

Longstone: C. Trainor, K. Rogers, Cormac Poland, D. McDowell, D. Young, C. Smith, R. McDowell, A. Rogers, Conor Poland (0-2), P. Haughian, C. Doran, G. Trainor, R. Kelly (0-5), M. Ireland (0-6), M. Poland. Subs: G. McDowell for Haughian, A. Rogers for R. McDowell (black card).

Downpatrick 2-9

Longstone 0-13

ACFL DIVISION 1