Busy Branagan is Downpatrick ace

7 August 2013

DOWNPATRICK took a significant step towards Division 1 safety with a wholly deserved six point win over An Riocht.

Despite trailing by a goal at half-time, the Hoops upped their game considerably in the second period as they plundered 1-8 to the Kingdom’s 0-2.

The first half was a closely contested affair with Brendan McVeigh’s penalty before half-time being the difference between the sides.

Conor McGrady and Jarlath Branagan got the RGU off to a good start as they went two up within four minutes. Chris Killen retorted with a free for An Riocht before Branagan opened his account from play.

Killen then bagged his second with an angled shot from wide on the right to bring his side back within a point of the hosts on seven minutes.

A frustrating period for both sides then ensued with poor shooting characterising the play. It took Chris Killen to break the deadlock again on the quarter hour mark as he hit his second free.

Branagan responded two minutes later with his third score to put the RGU one up. After another series of wides from both camps, the Hoops were dealt a blow when Damien Braniff had to leave the field of play with a head injury. Andrew Telford came in to replace him.

The last five minutes produced plenty of incident. Firstly, Chris Killen levelled the game with a free.

A minute later Peter Telford was desperately unlucky not to get a goal. The full forward pinged a searching sideline ball into the An Riocht goalmouth. Nobody dealt with the danger as the ball skidded off the ground and smashed against the Kingdom crossbar before spilling clear.

Then as the whistle approached An Riocht were awarded a penalty. John Clarke was dragged down in the box after being put through by a long range pass from Paddy Gartland. Up stepped county ‘keeper Brendan McVeigh who beat his opposite number James Deeny with a confident effort into the bottom right corner.

The second half was all one-way traffic as the Hoops chipped away at the scoreboard while An Riocht’s challenge completely disintegrated.

McGrady’s early goal set the RGU well on their way and the homesters picked off another four points as the third quarter came to a close.

John Clarke did manage to give the Kingdom faint hope in the 45th minute, but three scores in three minutes from Andrew Telford, Garrett Trainor and Conor McGrady put the game beyond doubt.

The last ten minutes were uneventful as the RGU outscored An Riocht 0-02 to 0-1.

Best for the winners were Declan Turley, Neal Cunningham and Anthony Doherty in defence, Peter Turley in midfield and Kevin Gracey, Conor McGrady and Jarlath Branagan up front.

An Riocht were best served by Paul Allen and Deaglán O’Reilly in the back line and John Clarke, Paddy Gartland and Chris Killen up top.

Downpatrick: J. Deeny, Declan Turley, Damian Turley, C. Curran, N. Cunningham (0-1), A. Doherty, G. Collins, M. Slavin, P. Turley, D. Braniff, K. Gracey, K. Oakes, J. Branagan (0-5, 1F, 1 45), P. Telford, C. McGrady (1-4, 2F). Subs: A. Telford (0-1), G. Trainor (0-1).

An Riocht: B. McVeigh (1-0, 1P), L. Harper, P. Allen, M. Trainor, D. O’Reilly, L. McVeigh, J. McVeigh, D. Doyle, P. Murney, C. Cole, J. Clarke (0-1, 1F), J. Cunningham, R. Spiers, P. Gartland (0-1, 1 45), C. Killen (0-04, 3F). Sub: P. Sherry.

Downpatrick 1-12

An Riocht 1-6

DOWN ACFL DIVISION 1

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