Rossglass crowned Division 1 champs

14 May 2025

A DRAW was enough for Rossglass County as they beat rivals Downpatrick seconds to the Division 1 title on the last day of the season.

Needing just one point to finish top of the table, Rossglass knew the championship was theirs to lose, and claimed an early advantage with goals from Christopher Hamilton and Ciaran Morrison.

Their chances were in jeopardy when Conor Rogan and Morgan McCooubrey drew Downpatrick level, but County survived a late scare to complete a league and cup double.

In the face of a cagey start, with much of the play contested in the midfield areas, the first chance fell the way of the hosts in the fifth minute.

Nathan McAlister’s cross was not dealt with and while Harry McCarthy found himself unmarked at the back post, his volley sailed over the bar.

Rossglass knew that was a let off and they soon redeemed themselves, opening the scoring when Hamilton found the top corner with a long-range rocket in the ninth minute.

Downpatrick wasted no time in threatening to equalise, with McCoubrey evading the defence and knocking the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Philip Annett, forcing Barry Mageean to clear off the line.

An end-to-end contest quickly ensued and after McCoubrey lifted another chance over the bar, County took themselves to within touching distance of the title.

Hamilton battled to win possession in the middle of the park and dinked the ball over the defence to find Morrison, who sent an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

This time, Downpatrick did conjure up an immediate response, halving the deficit when, amidst penalty shouts, Rogan reacted to a scramble in the box to prod home.

With momentum in their grasp, the home side began to look increasingly likely to level the scoring, but they were left frustrated as McAlister met Conor Moore’s header and rattled the post on the turn.

The first half petered out after a nasty head collision resulted in a significant stoppage and while Rossglass were the happier of the two sides at the break, they knew their lead was precarious one.

Downpatrick picked up where they had left off when the second half got underway, and they really should have equalised in the 53rd minute.

Substitute Darragh McKibben got in behind the defence and cut back to Declan Dowie. It looked a certain goal, but a heroic block sent it wide and the resulting corner came to nothing.

Minutes later, Dowie found the time and space to whip the ball towards the back post, putting a chance on a plate for McCarthy, who failed to connect properly and headed into the ground.

A third goal would have guaranteed County the title, but they were left with defending to do when Morrison broke into a one-on-one chance and flashed over the bar.

Downpatrick increased the intrigue in the latter stages of the game, with McCoubrey latching on to McKibben’s through ball and side-footing past Annett in the 70th minute, setting up a grandstand finish.

With less than 10 minutes left to play it looked for all the world that Downpatrick would snatch the title from the clutched of their opponents, but Annett defied the odds to scramble and stop Dowie’s point-blank finish.

A free kick presented the home team with one final chance to claim the silverware in added time and although Barry Treacy’s effort appeared to be destined for the top corner, Annett sparked County celebrations with yet another dazzling save.

Parity at full-time saw Rossglass finish three points clear at the top of the table, adding the Division 1 trophy to their Kitroom Shield triumph from earlier in the week.

Downpatrick: R Murphy, S Holland, N McAlister, C Moore, C Campbell, A McGarry (captain), B Treacy, H McCarthy, C Rogan, D Dowie, M McCoubrey.

Subs: D McCavera, D McKibben, S Conway

Rossglass: P Annett, D Gordon, C Watterson, R Tumelty (captain), B Mageean, C McLaughlin, S Pyrag, D Curran, C Morrison, B Lennon, C Hamilton.

Subs: R Gordon, G Grant, J Cusack

Downpatrick II 2

Rossglass County 2

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE DIVISION 1

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