Mooney magic sinks RGU

Mooney magic sinks RGU

19 August 2020

ROSTREVOR’S early goal burst proved too much for Downpatrick to survive on a sun-kissed Friday night in Castlewellan.

The match was played in wonderful conditions against the stunning back of the Mournes, but it was the RGU who quickly found themselves with a mountain to climb, conceding a goal after a minute.

After some neat, incisive approach play, which was to be the hallmark of Rostrevor’s play, particularly in the first half, Conor Doyle punched the ball to the net.

They continued to re-enforce that early superiority, with minor scores being added on by Doyle and Piaras Kane.

Downpatrick suddenly awoke from their early-game slumber, desperate not to be steamrolled on the big occasion.

Conor McGrady was leading the charge back with their first impression on the scoreboard.

Downpatrick tagged on a couple more minors, before the contest took another pivotal turn, with Rostrevor again finding a way past RGU goalkeeper James Deeny. This time Ardal McMahon provided the finish as they reached the water break.

The RGU management team were left with plenty to ponder. Downpatrick continued to battle after the resumption, determined not to be hit by the threat of an avalanche of Rostrevor scores.

At this stage there looked to be a real danger that Rostrevor would cut loose. To their credit, Downpatrick did not throw in the towel.

Caolan Mooney burst through on the Downpatrick goal not long before half-time and a penalty was awardedwhen he was up-ended by goalkeeper Deeny. Shaun Parr stepped up and netted Rostrevor’s third goal.

Downpatrick were given a glimmer of hope just before the interval when Parr and then Sean Cooper were black-carded.

However at half-time, and the score at 3-3 to 0-8, Downpatrick’s task looked onerous.

The RGU came out with the right attitude to mount a revival in the second half and Doyle’s early minor reduced the gap.

Chris Magee helped lead the Downpatrick forward line’s continuing assaults on the Rostrevor goal with a couple of scores. And there emerged a real feeling of optimism amongst the massed Downpatrick ranks when Conor McGrady’s point left just two in it.

However Rostrevor refused to hit the panic button. Guided by the experience of Mooney, they stretched their lead before the next water break.

Downpatrick were awarded a penalty with the scoreboard reading 3-7 to 0-12. However when Rostrevor needed a big moment at just the right time, goalkeeper Gareth Clarke provided it, plunging to push Tim Prenter’s effort to safety.

That was the moment which really deflated Downpatrick’s resolve. You sensed that Rostrevor knew they had weathered the best that Downpatrick could summon in response to their deficit.

Jordan Fegan then broke away in the closing minutes, before splitting the posts and taking Rostrevor’s score to 3-10.

Kane applied a classy coup de grace with the final score of the evening for the victors when he spun the Downpatrick defence and, bearing down on goal, took the safe option of landing the point.

In the end it looked plain sailing on paper for Rostrevor. Certainly in terms of the opening they made to the match, catching the RGU cold, they laid the foundations early that kept many of the worries away that Downpatrick could spring a result on them.

To Downpatrick’s credit, after that disappointing early start, there were more than enough signs there that the spirit within the camp to dig in and get themselves out of trouble in games is there.

Downpatrick: James Deeny, Paddy Smith, Ronan Murphy, Eoin Rooney, Nathan McShane, Gerdie Collins, Conor Doherty, Damian Turley, Jonny Bell, Tim Prenter (0-2), Conor McGrady (0-6), Conor McCarron (0-2), Ruairi Quinn (0-2), Peter Turley (C), Chris Magee (0-1).

Subs: Jarlath Brannigan (0-2), Morgan Fitzpatrick, Caolan Boyd, Damian Braniff, Daniel McCarron, Garrett Trainor, Ruairi Og Quinn, Frank Starkey, Tom Savage, Tim Collins, Aidan McNeill, Con Farrell, Aidan Og Robinson.

Rostrevor: Gareth Clarke, Jarlath Farrell, Tomas Gordon, Eoin Murdock, Nicky Murray, Colm Murney, James Donaghy, Sean Cooper, Caolan Mooney (0-2), Ardghal McMahon (1-0), Jordan Fegan (0-2), Patrick Magee, Conor Doyle (1-3), Shaun Parr (C) (1-0), Piaras Kane (0-4).

Subs: Paul McGrath, Richie Reynolds, Darren McElhinney, Conall Gordon, Eamon McConville. Cormac McGrath, Matthew Grimley, James Rice, Tomas Mulholland, Conor Owen, Eoghan Devlin, Anthony Donnan, Connor Magee.