Cunningham clinches win

Cunningham clinches win

15 June 2016

THIS local derby served up a treat for the fans who witnessed an epic tussle from two committed sides hoping to enhance their prospects of promotion from Division 2.

From the throw-in Johnnie Bell took hold off the ball, raced 40 yards and thumped over a long range point to give the home side the perfect start. 

But after Aaron McClements had struck over a second minute equaliser things got noticeably better for Downpatrick as they notched up a goal and four points within the next six minutes.

Full back Anthony Doherty move upfield to fire a free over Kieran Gordon’s crossbar. Gordon attempted a quick kick-out, but Johnny Collins was on the look-out and intercepted the kick towards Raymond Nixon. Collins picked out Michael Magee and the ball was in the back of the net before you could blink.

Neal Cunningham created a chance which saw Ruairi Quinn grab the RGU’s third point. In no time Michael Magee had added two more and with eight minutes gone the RGU were 1-5 to 0-1 ahead and looking well on course for two crucial league points.

Slowly but surely, Loughinisland gradually stamped their authority on the game and managed to keep the home side scoreless for the next 25 minutes. The Blues doubled their tally to two points when Mickey Brannigan found Dean McLaughlin before 

Aaron McClements grabbed their third point at the beginning of the second quarter. 

Rory Mason converted a free after being fouled by Peter Turley and Loughinisland’s comeback was well on track by the 23rd minute when Dan Gordon collected the ball and found Damhan O’Toole, who struck the ball over James Deeny’s crossbar to leave a goal between the sides.

Conor Megoran closed the gap to two points with the final score of the half for Loughinisland.

From the throw-in a point from Aaron McClements left only one between the sides. Downpatrick finally managed another score three minutes after the restart when Michael Magee tapped over a free after Raymie Nixon had fouled Ruairi Quinn.

The indiscretion resulted in a black card for Nixon from referee Gavin Finnegan.

Dan Gordon then set Ryan Stranney up for a point and the sides were level when Rory Mason swung the ball over the bar from a free on the right.

With 20 minutes left Mason put Loughinisland in front and a win looked a distinct possibility for the away side, even more so when Gerard Collins received a straight red for an off the ball incident.

Dan Gordon and Conor Killen combined to create another chance for Mason and his side now led by two points with ten minutes left.

As the game entered a frantic final few minutes Kieran Gordon looked as if he had secured a precious win for Loughinisland when pulling off a spectacular double save from Neal Cunningham and Martin Robinson with just two minutes of official time to play.

Anthony Doherty ensured a thrilling end to the game when he pointed a ’45 with a minute left and when Magee levelled the scores three minutes into time added on both sides would have surely have taken a draw.

However, there was a thrilling final twist to the game when Taylor Loudon and Johnnie Bell worked the ball to Neal Cunningham, who fired over the winning point for Downpatrick.

Downpatrick: J Deeny, C McGarrity, A Doherty (0-2), D Braniff, C MacNabb, C Doherty, P Turley, J Bell (0-1), J Collins, M Magee (1-4), C McCarron, R Quinn (0-1), M Robinson, N Cunningham (0-1). Subs used: R Fitzpatrick, C Boyd, T Loudon. 

Loughinisland: K Gordon, P Digney, P Megoran, R Nixon, R Mason (0-4), R Stranney (0-1), S Cochrane, D Gordon, D O’Toole (0-1), M Brannigan, A McClements (0-2), J Flynn, P McKenny, C Megoran (0-2), D McLaughlin (0-1). Subs used: C Killen, R Deegan, A Nixon.

Referee: Gavin Finnegan (An Riocht).