Downpatrick cause upset as Longstone fall to pieces

Downpatrick cause upset as Longstone fall to pieces

3 August 2016

WITH Sunday’s match being abandoned due to a serious knee injury to Longstone’s Adrian Trainor, it was back to Castlewellan on Monday night with Downpatrick causing a mild upset with a deserved victory.

Despite Downpatrick winning nine games on the trot in Division 2, many pundits wondered if Conor Deegan’s emerging side would be able to handle an experienced Longstone outfit. 

That question was answered emphatically by Downpatrick who progressed through to the second round and a meeting with Warrenpoint next Monday night in Hilltown.  

Longstone struck first on Monday night when Mark Poland took advantage of Downpatrick having to reshuffle after losing Sean Bell to a hamstring injury and the former county captain steered the ball past a helpless James Deeny.

Michael Magee kept Downpatrick in the hunt with two converted frees before Mark Poland restored Longstone’s two-point lead. Downpatrick then drew level with points from Magee and Johnny Bell, but Longstone went in at the break with a 1-3 to 0-5 lead after Conor McGrady and Michael Ireland traded scores.

Michael Ireland and McGrady exchanged points at the start of the second half before Mark Poland gave Longstone some breathing space with a well taken score.

They say that physicality is important in Gaelic football, but not where the RGU are concerned as Taylor Loudon, who came on for Sean Bell, Ruari Quinn, man of the match Owen McEvoy and Paddy Smyth were simply outstanding.

After points from play from Kevin Gracey and Johnny Bell, which levelled the scoring, Downpatrick began to dominate and Peter Turley and Gerard Collins were a tower of strength for the Hoops.

With a sizeable support cheering Downpatrick on, it quickly became the McGrady and Quinn show.

The tenacious Quinn pointed after a surging run, reminiscent of his dad Mark and he went one better when he drilled the ball past John Paul Haughian after being sent clear by a clever pass from Magee.

Downpatrick were now on a roll and McGrady cut in from the side leaving two defenders in his wake before drilling the ball past Haughian.

Downpatrick were seven points clear and although Ryan Kelly scored a late goal for Longstone there was only going to be one winner.

McGrady completed the scoring with an excellent point from play as Downpatrick deservedly took their place in the second round.

Downpatrick: Jonathan Deeny, P Smyth, A Doherty, D Braniff, S Bell, G Collins, J Bell (0-2), P Turley, K Gracey (0-1), R Slavin, O. McEvoy, C Boyd, R Quinn (1-1), M Magee (0-3), C McGrady (1-3). Subs: T Loudon for S Bell, E Boyle for Boyd, P Telford for Slavin.

Longstone: J P Haughian, T Poland, A Rogers, D Fitzpatrick, D Young, M Hughes, R McDowell, P Trimble, B Doran, C Poland (0-1), K Rogers, M Ireland (0-2), T Fegan, M Poland (1-2). Subs: R Kelly (1-0).

Downpatrick 2-10

Longstone 2-5

MORGAN FUELS SFC