Magpies still Down’s best as 20th title secured

Magpies still Down’s best as 20th title secured

19 October 2022

KILCOO proved they are still the best in Down after securing their 20th county title by edging out Warrenpoint in a titanic tussle at Páirc Esler on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a goal from Kilcoo’s Ryan Johnston and the Magpies opening up a comfortably sized four-point lead, a late rally from the St Peter’s outfit within the closing stages of regulation time resulted in extra-time to be played.

Once again Kilcoo grabbed the initiative and this time they had done just enough as Warrenpoint fell one point short of levelling as the full time whistle sounded.

This signalled four in-a-row for the reigning All-Ireland kingpins and a first Down title with both Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton at the helm.

Possession was shared early on, with the underdogs actually breaking the deadlock through a great score from play by Ruairi McCormick just four minutes in.

As suspected, Kilcoo would promptly reply as Ceilum Doherty rounded off a neat sequence of passing.

Warrenpoint remained undeterred, showing their opponents no fear and opting to press the Magpies man to man.

Niall McGovern curled an effort over the bar from his left boot in reply but the tit for tat continued with the evergreen Paul Devlin making no mistake from his free.

Blows continued to be exchanged, with Donagh McAleenan and a Jamie Grant mark on target for Warrenpoint while Shealan Johnston and Miceal Rooney kicked over for Kilcoo.

However, the Magpies made significant headway within the 22nd minute after forward, and Down boss, Conor Laverty sharply played a pass into the path of onrushing team-mate Ryan Johnston, who outpaced ‘keeper Gary McMahon before finishing to the net.

Rooney tagged on another point for Kilcoo, but this four-point cushion was short-lived as McAleenan and Alan Davidson quickly reduced the arrears to just two.

Half-time: Kilcoo 1-5 Warrenpoint 0-6.

It seemed as if Kilcoo had well and truly settled as the second half began, with Devlin kicking over a free and Doherty latching on to a ‘45, which ped short from ‘keeper Kane, to convert the score.

Warrenpoint finally got going again through McGovern, albeit on the 47th minute, but Rooney was on hand again to return the deficit.

Patrick Murdock’s left footed effort with ten minutes left on the clock set up a grandstand finish but the tie was still heavily swayed towards the Magpies, who boasted a three-point cushion.

However, Warrenpoint have endured a fairytale road to the final and with that experience comes a certain amount of belief to never say die.

A trio of Davidson frees sent the game to extra-time, where Devlin would be first to register for Kilcoo.

Ryan Johnston, Tiernan Fettes and Eugene Branagan quickly added further scores and within seven minutes of the restart the Magpies were ahead by four.

Just before half-time of extra-time Warrenpoint’s Davidson knocked over a free to keep the St Peter’s outfit in the final.

Substitute Jack Howlett registered the next point from play before Davidson yet again got in on the act.

Devlin would kick over Kilcoo’s final point of the match from a free  but there was still time for Davidson to keep the dream alive for Warrenpoint.

It ultimately proved not to be enough as the Magpies used all of their experience, with Eugene Branagan even seeing the black card, to get over the line and once again be called the champions of Down.

After the match, Kilcoo joint manager Conleith Gilligan reflected on his team’s achievement.

“Genuinely, winning your county championship is so special and so hard,” he said.

“You never know when you might be back.

“When you’re at the top, it’s probably easier staying there than it is getting back because once you go it gets very difficult.”

Kilcoo: N Kane; R McEvoy, N Branagan, Anthony Morgan; Aaron Branagan, D Branagan, M Rooney (0-3); Aaron Morgan, D Ward; C Doherty (0-2), R Johnston (1-1), S Johnston (0-1); P Devlin (0-4, 3f), J Johnston, C Laverty.

Subs used: T Fettes (0-1) for N Branagan (47), E Branagan (0-1) for J Johnston (53), S Og McCusker for Laverty (59), J Johnston for R Johnston (70, e-t), M Hynes for Rooney (70, e-t), C Laverty for S Johnston (79)

Black card: E Branagan (82)

Yellow card: D Ward (53)

Warrenpoint: G McMahon; P Sweeney, R McGivern (0-1), J Boyle; E Byrne, C McCartan, R Boyle; P Murdock (0-1), N McCartan, R McCormack (0-1); S O’Hare, A Davidson (0-6, 3f, 1 ’45), D McAleenan (0-2); N McGovern (0-2), J Grant (0-1 mark)

Subs used: A Darcy for N McCartan (42), A Magee for O’Hare (47), R McGarry for Byrne (48), J Lynch for McAleenan (57), C Madden for McGovern (62), S O’Hare for Sweeney (63, e-t), J Howlett (0-1) for Murdock (68, e-t)

Yellow card: R McGivern (62)

Match official: D O’Hare (Burren)

Kilcoo 1-13

Warrenpoint 0-15

(Kilcoo win after extra-time)

MORGAN FUELS SFC FINAL