Downpatrick hit the Blues

Downpatrick hit the Blues

DOWNPATRICK went into this crucial derby clash at full strength, with the exception of the unavailable Jarlath Branagan, for the first time this season and it showed as they just edged a tight affair.

Both sides have had similar starts to the season, winning three of their eight games, and with former RGU managers Kyran Smyth and Aidy Robinson now in charge of Loughinisland, a keenly fought contest was in prospect.

The home side started the better with pointed frees from Seamus O’Hare and Rory Mason, but RGU, despite registering five early wides, reduced the arrears when Down minor star Conor McGrady converted a 45m free.

O’Hare put Loughinisland two points back in front with another superb 30m free, but Downpatrick responded with a goal.

A Damian Turley free picked out Garrett Trainor on the edge of the Loughinisland square and the right half forward wasted no time in fisting the ball past goalkeeper Kieran Gordon.

This score helped the visitors settle and they gradually began to dominate with frees from McGrady (2) and Sean Bell to give them a 1-4 to 0-3 lead at the break.

McGrady stretched Downpatrick’s lead to five points with a 21m free at the start of the second half, but the drama was still unfolding.

Loughinisland were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, but James Deeny produced a superlative save to deny O’Hare when he turned the ball round the post.

The look on the faces of Kyran Smyth and Aidy Robinson said it all as it looked as if it was not going to be their night and it wasn’t.

Points from Kevin Gracey, Peter Telford and McGrady extended Downpatrick’s lead and even three points from the accurate O’Hare failed to ignite Loughinisland.

Twelve minutes into the second half disaster struck Downpatrick when Anthony Docherty, who was having a superb game at full back, was sent off.

Despite being reduced to 14 men, Downpatrick remained the dominant force and the last thing Loughinisland wanted to see was county star Peter Turley entering the fray at this stage.

Loughinisland threw everything at Downpatrick, but a resolute Damian Turley and Decky Turley gave nothing away and limited the home side to a single point from play in the second half, and this in the final minute of the game.

This win for Downpatrick was just the tonic they needed ahead of Friday night’s massive game with Kilcoo and the RGU are calling for supporters to come out in numbers for this one.

Loughinisland: K. Gordon, P. Cochrane, Conor O’Toole, R. Nixon, P. Digney, Cormac O’Toole, J. Flynn, J. McCarthy, D. McClements, C. McGoran, S. O’Hare (0-7), R. Mason (0-1), C. O’Reilly, B. O’Reilly, P. Martin.

Downpatrick: J. Deeny, N. Cunningham, A. Docherty, C. Curran, Declan Turley, Damian Turley, C. MacNabb, P. Telford ()-2), M. Slavin, G. Trainor (1-0), S. Bell (0-1), G. Collins, K. Gracey (0-1), C. McGrady (0-5), K. Oakes. Subs: L. Kearney for McNabb, P. Turley for Oakes.

Loughinisland 0-8

Downpatrick 1-9

ACFL DIVISION 1