Bredagh capture crown

Bredagh capture crown

25 October 2023

BREDAGH proved too hot to handle for Carryduff in what was a local derby Intermediate Hurling Championship final at Páirc Esler on Saturday.

The scoreline may read as a comprehensive victory for the Harps but Carryduff had numerous chances throughout to make this a much closer affair.

However, Bredagh ‘keeper Ian Galway was an inspirational figure and his top performance between the posts meant that Carryduff simply could not find the elusive goals which they required.

Alongside two impressive stops, Galway also denied Carryduff’s star performer Gareth Lynch from the penalty spot with a fantastic diving save.

Sitting in front of Galway was a stubborn defence led by man of the match Niall McFarland, with the centre-back also getting his name on the scoresheet after landing an impressive point in the opening half.

At the other end, Carryduff’s wayward shooting cost them dearly.

When chances did come their way they agonisingly shot wide, for a total of eight times apiece in either half.

This, coupled with the three missed chances to hit the net, meant that it was simply not to be their day.

Bredagh made an impressive start to the final, with Niall Smyth, Sean McGourty, Mark Patterson, Sean Hughes and Tiernan Sheehan all finding their range.

Carryduff’s points came at a premium as Bredagh restricted their rivals to shooting from unfavourable positions but the big opportunities were still yet to come.

Firstly, Carryduff danger man Gareth Lynch saw his effort at goal fantastically denied by Galway before the Bredagh shot stopper once again came up trumps, this time to deny Michael Conway.

Carryduff did manage to point consecutive scores through Donal Og Rooney and Sean Rooney but Bredagh replied through McFarland.

As half-time approached, Bredagh stretched their six-point cushion to nine with the first goal of the match as 

Smyth turned in a rebound from team-mate Patterson’s initial effort.

There was still time for points to be traded at either side but Bredagh were firmly in control and boasted a 1-10 to 0-4 advantage at half-time.

After the interval, Carryduff mustered just five second half points as they again failed to make the most of their chances.

Bredagh seemed to have a reply for every point that went against them and when Carryduff’s Conway was upended midway through the half, a penalty was awarded which Lynch simply had to score to stay in touch.

But, he didn’t.

Instead, Galway guessed right and squashed any hopes of a dramatic comeback in the process.

This sucked the fight out of Carryduff and their urgency began to slow as Bredagh continued to send their shots over the bar.

With the result already settled, Bredagh rubbed salt in the wounds as Aaron Carey coolly navigated his way past Carryduff ‘keeper Conor McLornan before finishing to the net to cap off a fine team performance and confirm his team as champions.

Bredagh now look forward to a crack at Ulster and they begin their campaign against Antrim outfit Creggan on Sunday, November 5.

Bredagh: I Galway; O McFlynn, L Smyth, L Hogan (0-1); M Woods, N McFarland (0-1), T Sheehan (0-1); M Patterson (0-3), J Hanrahan; C McMullan (0-1), S McGourty (0-3), S Hughes (0-5, 4 frees); N Smyth (1-1), A Carey (1-0), C Costello.

Subs: M Lavery for C Costello (HT), J McCollum for C Costello (53), M McAreavey for O McFlynn (53), K Power for A Carey (60+2), E Maguire for T Sheehan (60+2).

Carryduff: C McLornan; N McArdle, C O’Neill, C Goodwin; D Goodwin, C Cassidy (0-1), D Og Rooney (0-3, 2 frees); O Teague (0-2), M McCaughey; S O’Callaghan, J Woods (0-1), C Early; E Rooney (0-1), G Lynch, M Conway.

Subs: C O’Callaghan (0-1) for L McCaughey (25), C McAlister for S O’Callaghan (HT), O Wyer for C O’Neill (46), A Downey for M Conway (57).

Referee: David Carr (Newry Shamrocks).