Derby delight for Downpatrick

Derby delight for Downpatrick

5 July 2023

DOWNPATRICK RGU exacted revenge on local rivals Saul in their second derby of the season on Friday after the St Patrick’s outfit claimed bragging rights in their earlier fixture.

The RGU came into the game following a draw against Drumgath whilst Saul were looking to bounce back after a close loss against Rostrevor. 

Both teams were missing key players, but the game proved to be entertaining and lived up to the usual hype which surrounds it. 

This is not the last time both teams will compete against each other this season, as they have been drawn together in the Senior Football Championship first round.

RGU got the scoring underway with Conor Doherty quickly converting a point from play in the first minute, which he followed up with his second two minutes later after Gerard Collins had his Downpatrick jersey unfairly tugged.

Saul responded in the fifth minute, when Ciarán Harney got a point from play. But, RGU opened up their advantage with back to back points from Jarlath Brannigan, both coming from close frees. 

However, Saul continued to plug away with Callum Mahoney kicking over before team-mate John Mahoney cleverly called his mark and split the posts.

Downpatrick did finish the half with a flourish after Damien Branniff intercepted a Saul pass before releasing Tom Smyth up the right flank.

The Downpatrick man then played a smart pass to Oran Cunningham, who took his score with ease to give his side a two-point advantage at the break.

After the interval the RGU did not wait about and went straight on the attack with Brannigan notching his team’s first goal of the game. 

A minute later Cunningham added to his tally with a point from play. 

Saul got their first score of the half when a free, following a foul on Harney close to the RGU net, was kicked over the bar by Ruari O’Hare. 

However, the game looked to be wrapped up in the 49th minute when Collins ped the ball into the Saul danger zone, where Downpatrick team-mate Cunningham collected and shot for goal.

His effort was well-saved by Saul ‘keeper Jack Hazard, but Morgan Fitzpatrick was on hand to tap in the rebound. 

RGU then added a further two points through Peter Turley and Ruairi Quinn.

A late response from Saul saw a goal from Philip Doran, who had ran straight through the RGU back line. Doran followed this up with a point from play a minute later. 

Downpatrick were then reduced to 14 men late on when Oran Cunningham received his second yellow card, although this had little impact on the result. 

During the final remaining minutes of the game, Downpatrick’s Doherty kicked over a point from a long range free and Saul’s John Mahoney split the posts for a late consolation.

Downpatrick RGU: C McGrady; C Farrell, R Murphy, M Fitzpatrick; T McNeill, G Trainor, T Smyth; P Turley, D Branniff; G Collins, R Quinn, D Turley; C Doherty, O Cunningham, J Brannigan.

Saul: J Hazard; S O’Hare, J Hayes, C Kinsella; J Magilton, T Magennis, C Byrne; J Mahoney, C Mahoney; C Harney, R O’Hare, R Mullen; C Roberts, O Magee, P Doran.