Magpies soar to the top of Division 1

11 May 2022

FRIDAY evening saw the meeting of current league winners Cumann Pheadair Naofa and championship winners Kilcoo in Moygannon, with the Magpies taking both points on a night where it was all home wins in the division bar this one.

The ‘Point got off to a positive start, and with their squad getting stronger by the week, Kilcoo would have been worried.

Donagh McAleenan, Aaron Magee and Adam Lynch kicked early scores as the visitors found it difficult to get up to the pace of things, Ceilum Doherty finally settling his team with a fine score on the eighth minute.

Scores dried up for the next while but midway through the half Niall McGovern riffled high to the net and at this stage it looked like the Blues could get the win, with the Magpies wasteful in possession.

This goal though sprung the away team into life and for the remainder of the half they stepped it up a level with Ryan McEvoy and Dylan Ward’s driving runs from deep proving inspirational.

The ever impressive Darryl Branagan kicked one of the scores of the game on the 21st minute and then came the defining score of the contest five minutes before the break, Ceilum Doherty showing his play making prowess to line Ryan McEvoy up to flick to the net.

Further points from Ward, Paul Devlin, Justin Clarke and Eugene Branagan made it 1-4 in five minutes turning the game on its head before the break as the Magpies went in leading 1-9 to 1-6.

Warrenpoint would have been disappointed going into the second half but they did get the first score, another Aaron Magee point.

The Magpies then had another purple patch, Devlin and Ward posting superb scores and Sean Og McCusker sending his side seven clear.

On the 41st minute Shane Mulholland’s side got a lifeline when Kilcoo were reduced to 14 men, Aaron Branagan getting a second yellow card.

But it didn’t make much difference as Gilligan and Thornton’s men managed the game well to its conclusion, a late Niall McGovern free all the home side could come up with.

This result is a set back for Warrenpoint for their top four ambitions, while for Kilcoo, it’s back to top of the table ahead of a tough away trip to Carryduff next week.

Warrenpoint: C Darcy; R McAleenan, A Lynch, P Sweeney; R Boyle, P Murdock, R McGivern; E Byrne, J Grant; R McCormack (0-1), D McAleenan (0-2), A Magee (0-2); N McGovern (1-2), A Davidson, S O’Hare.

Subs used: J Howlett, C McLoughlin, C Madden, J Lynch.

Kilcoo: S Kane; N Branagan, D McEvoy, M Hynes; A Branagan, D Branagan (0-1), C Rogers; R McEvoy (1-2), J Clarke (0-1); C Doherty (0-1), P Devlin (0-4), E Branagan (0-1); D Ward (0-3), R Johnston, S Og McCusker (0-1).

Subs used: M Rooney, J Devlin, C Rooney, G McEvoy, N Doyle.

Referee: Gavin Finnegan (An Riocht)

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