Down championships hit quarter-finals stage

Down championships hit quarter-finals stage

30 August 2017

THE county championships are starting to get serious with 12 quarter-finals down for decision this weekend.

Star billing must go to the game between county champions Kilcoo and Bryansford at Pairc Esler, Newry, next Monday night.

Kilcoo, going for a magical six-in-a-row, are running into the right sort of form to defend their title, but so too are Bryansford. 

The Magpies required extra-time to get the better of Clonduff by 0-14 to 0 1-10 and then got the better of a stubborn Ballyholland outfit, winning 2-7 to 0-6.

Bryansford, on the other hand, lost their opening game to Warrenpoint, but recovered from that reversal to beat An Riocht 2-17 to 0-6 and Saval 1-21 to 0-8.

Kilcoo will have no intentions of relinquishing their crown and the Branagan brothers are still around with Darragh O’Hanlon, Ryan and Jerome Johnston, Paul Devlin and Conor Laverty ready to take up any slack.

Most of the old guard that took Bryansford to two consecutive league titles has moved on and the club’s new kids on the block are starting to make their mark.

Peter Brannigan, Conor Devlin, Jack Maginn and Luke Kelly all seem to have established a place in the starting 15 with back up from seasoned campaigners Marc Reid, Philip Bonny, Davy McKibben, Steven Toner and Ruari Wells.

Of course, Conor Maginn continues to rule the roost for Bryansford and his scavenging and astute passing are a threat to any side. Danny Savage benefits most from Maginn’s promptings and he is as good as any corner forward in Down football.

Full-blooded SFC action starts on Friday night with the heavyweight contest between Burren and Mayobridge in Newry.

Burren have been quietly going about their business with wins over Glenn (4-17 to 0-12) and Mayobridge (4-13 to 0-9) and have made pundits sit up and take notice. Mayobridge seem to have got over that earlier mauling by Burren and subsequently beat Clonduff 1-12 to 0-13 to book their place in the last eight.

They will have their work cut out trying to curtail a free-flowing Burren attack and the St Mary’s club are expected to progress into the semi-finals.

Tullylish face Annaclone in the IFC on Friday night as the curtain raiser to the Burren v Mayobridge game and in what should be another close game, Tullylish are expected to cause an upset.

Three JFC games are down for decision with Mitchels playing Dundrum in Kilcoo and Ballykinlar taking on Kilclief and Ardglass, newly-crowned Division 4 champions, locking horns with Bright in Newcastle.

Dundrum, Kilclief and Ardglass are expected to book their places in the semi-finals, but watch out for Bright who have every intention of putting things up to Ardglass in what should be a fiery derby.

Saturday will just be as every bit as busy with many people’s favourites for the SFC, Castlewellan, taking on surprise packet Loughinisland at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil in Downpatrick. 

Castlewellan should have too much strength in depth for Loughinisland, who edged out a strongly fancied Warrenpoint side 0-11 to 0-10 on Monday night. 

The IFC tie between Liatroim and Darragh Cross takes place before the big game in Downpatrick and Darragh will be praying that their walking wounded have recovered in time for this one.

Downpatrick, who required a replay to dispose of Warrenpoint, play Ballyholland in Newcastle on Saturday evening and Conor Deegan’s side should have the keys to unlock Stephen Poacher’s side in the battle of the Hoops and the Harps.

Drumaness will fancy their chances against Shamrocks in the IFC curtain-raiser to this game, especially after beating St John Bosco by eight points on Monday night.

In the JFC game in Glenn, Dromara should have too many big guns for St Michael’s.

On Monday night the IFC game between Drumgath and Rostrevor will take place before the Kilcoo v Bryansford match with Shane Mulholland’s side fancied to go through.