Blues targeting semi-final spot after gutsy win over Bredagh

17 September 2025

LOUGHINISLAND marched into the quarter-finals of the Down Senior Football Championship with victory over Bredagh, but only after surviving a dramatic late scare that left the blue and white supporters gasping for breath in Liatroim.

Bredagh started the brighter of the two sides, with Ethan McGrath clipping over the game’s opening point after a neat passage of play.

Donal Hughes was sharp from the placed ball early on, knocking over frees to keep the Belfast men in front.

Loughinisland were wasteful in comparison – James Savage rattled the upright with one long-range effort, while his brother, Oisín, missed narrowly when through on goal.

Still, Oisín Savage steadied himself with a well-struck free and a tidy point from play, while Gary Stranney got forward from midfield to swing over with his right foot.

However, Bredagh’s economy in attack kept them in charge. Hughes punished indiscipline with another pair of frees and Emmett McGirr found space to curl over from distance. Conor Francis also chipped in, leaving the Island trailing by two at the interval, and their large travelling support murmuring about a lack of intensity.

The second half told a different story. From the restart, Loughinisland played with pace and precision.

Stefan Mason got them motoring with a fine score, and James Savage soon found his range from distance.

Rory Mason, nerveless on the frees, added three in succession, as Bredagh struggled to cope with the increased tempo.

The Island defence of Paddy Magoran, Aiden McLaughlin and Jack Ferris, aided by dominant midfielder Aaron McClements’ and goalkeeper Christopher Turley, limited Bredagh’s avenues to goal.

Oisín Savage continued to torment the maroon defence, converting another placed ball, before Stranney surged forward once more to extend the gap.

By the mid-way point of the half, Loughinisland were five clear and cruising, their supporters now in full voice, but Bredagh were not quite done.

With time almost up, Hughes landed another free, followed quickly by a Francis point, and in the dying seconds, a high ball broke kindly in the square and was bundled to the net, sending a shiver through the Loughinisland ranks.

Suddenly, what had earlier seemed a comfortable march to the last eight, was now in danger of unravelling.

The final whistle came as blessed relief for the Island, who knew they had been the stronger side for the bulk of the contest, but almost paid dearly for their slack first half and a nervous finish.

Loughinisland progress to the quarter-final draw as a side that has yet to hit top gear, despite dominating opponents when their forward line clicks. On that evidence, few clubs will relish drawing them.

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