Doherty goal leaves ‘Ford with too much to do in derby

Doherty goal leaves ‘Ford with too much to do in derby

5 August 2020

THE sun was shining on Friday evening in glorious Newcastle for the local derby league encounter between Bryansford and Cill Chua — the final game for both sides before the start of the championship.

It was a cat and mouse game with Kilcoo mirroring the style of football now employed by the Ford, a packed defence and breaking at pace when the opportunity arose.

Recent contests between these two have always resulted in the same winner, but even in defeat Stevie Poacher and his players will take a lot of heart from their performance.

The first half was very cagey. Ryan O’Higgins opened the scoring early on before Jerome Johnston and Marty Devlin replied for the Ulster champions.

The industrious Paddy Sheridan levelled matters in the tenth minute with Martin McCourt giving the Magpies the slightest lead by the water break.

Both sides continued to probe before half time with scores hard to come by. Miceal Rooney put Kilcoo two clear five minutes from the short whistle, while O’Higgins scored a beauty right on half time to leave it 0-4 to 0-3 to Mickey Moran’s side.

The ‘Ford got the best possible start to the second half with Conor Maginn and substitute Cathal Burns finding their range to put them ahead. It was tit for tat for the next phase of the game and with ten minutes left Kilcoo lead by one thanks to scores from Jerome Johnston, Paul Greenan and Conor Laverty.

The games turning point came on the 53rd minute. A brilliant move involving Darragh O’Hanlon, Ryan Johnston and Miceal Rooney placed the returning Ceilum Doherty in and he palmed home from close range.

The home side never gave in though and showed great resolve, Marc Reid even coming up to point from distance in what was a superb individual score and one of the highlights of the game.

But the Magpies held out, Doherty adding a good score to seal the three-point victory margin.

Bryansford: Marc Reid (0-1), Stephen Toner, Ryan McDonald, Aaron McDonald, Timmy Hanna, Conor Maginn (0-1), Danny Savage (0-1), Fintan Canavan, Conor Devlin, Corey Laverty, Ryan O’Higgins (0-3), Paddy Sheridan (0-1), Thomas McAnerney, David McKenna, Daniel McDonald.

Subs used: Cathal Burns (0-1), Chris Clarke (0-1), Jack Maginn, Niall O’Higgins, Lewis Casement.

Cill Chua: Martin McCourt (0-1), Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Tiernan Fettes, Miceal Rooney (0-1), Darryl Branagan, Eugene Branagan, Darragh O’Hanlon, Paul Greenan (0-1), Shealan Johnston, Jerome Johnston (0-3), Conor Laverty (0-1), Martin Devlin (0-1), Ryan Johnston, Niall McEvoy.

Subs used:Ceilum Doherty (1-1), Felim McGreevy.

Referee: Neil Cousins (An Riocht).

Bryansford 0-9

Cill Chua 1-9

ACFL DIVISION 1A