Downpatrick FC open new ground in style

Downpatrick FC open new ground in style

29 October 2025

DOWNPATRICK marked the first game at their new home, St Dillon’s Park, with a handsome derby victory over Celtic Bhoys Academy and passage to the Bobby Dalzell Cup semi-finals.

From the opening encounters, it became clear that there was only going to be one winner, and the hosts stormed into a 7-0 lead with goals from Caolan Deegan (3), Morgan Fitzpatrick (2), Nathan McAlister and Morgan McCoubrey.

The game lost its spark in the second half, with Celtic failing to produce any form of a response, but Downpatrick still added to their goal haul, netting through Conor Moore (2) and Aaron McGarry.

Downpatrick set about making a fast start, aiming to secure their place in the last four of the competition early doors, and although their first few attacks proved fruitless, they only needed eight minutes to make their pressure count.

Captain Josh Montgomery’s through ball split the Hoops’ defence and found the run of Deegan, who took his time, composed himself and slotted the opener under goalkeeper Luca David Indries.

A mere two minutes would pass before the home side doubled their advantage, as McAlister latched on to a loose ball, on the edge of the box, beat two men and rifled into the bottom corner.

They almost made a trio of early goals after 12 minutes, with Deegan refusing to give up on a pass that looked to have gone astray, snatching the ball off the toes of Kyle McKeever and cutting back to Ronan Cope, but the finish was lacking.

The Greens refused to let up, endeavouring to put light between themselves and their opponents, and after Indries palmed McCoubrey’s powerful effort into danger, Montgomery saw his shot cleared off the line by Celtic skipper Ciaran McMenamin.

Still, they would not have long to wait for the goal they desired, stretching the lead when McAlister’s cross was not dealt with and Deegan fired into the top corner.

The visitors’ net continued to be breached, at intermittent moments on the lead up to half-time, with the fourth goal coming from McCoubrey, via a deflection.

Fitzpatrick joined in on the act in the 32nd minute, lying in wait at the back post and smashing home from a McAlister cross, before turning provider for Deegan’s hat-trick strike.

There were very few Downpatrick chances that did not lead to a goal, and Fitzpatrick concluded the first-half scoring when he met a pin-point pass from the battling McGarry.

The Bhoys produced their first shot on target at the beginning of the second half and while Conor Carberry’s free-kick was straight at goalkeeper Taylor Beattie, it should have sparked some hope amongst the travelling players.

Instead, Downpatrick kicked on, adding to their ever-growing tally when Moore headed home from a corner, on their first meaningful attack since the interval.

Defender Moore, relishing the chance to contribute to his side’s scoring exploits, gave the Hoops a sense of déjà vu, rising to head another corner into the back of the net, just three minutes after his first.

The action petered out after that, with Celtic feeling dejected and the Greens significantly home and dry, but there was still time for McGarry to make it double figures.

The veteran midfielder took aim from range and sent a spectacular shot barrelling past the helpless Indries.

Downpatrick will now stake their claim for a place in the decider, seeking to go to within one step of the first silverware of the season. 

Downpatrick: T Beattie, C Moore, S Holland, M McCoubrey, C Campbell, A McGarry, N McAlister, J Montgomery (captain), C Deegan, R Cope, M Fitzpatrick.

Subs: O Dunn, H McCarthy, J Harding, T Carson, C Farrell.

Celtic Bhoys: L D Indries, M McKee, K McKeever, C McMenamin (captain), D Ennis, S Dalton, C Curran, S P Thompson, P McConvey, R Gordon, C Carberry.

Subs: L Digney, S Cahill.