Longstone tear Downpatrick RGU to pieces

25 April 2012

DOWNPATRICK got a rude welcome to the real world of Division 1 football when they were easily brushed aside by a very powerful, direct and fast moving Longstone side.

Downpatrick were missing a few regulars, but it is be questionable if they would have made much difference.

This was a real wake-up call for the home side who put up little resistance, but it would wrong not to applaud this very impressive performance from the Mourne men on their first visit to PTR for quite a few years.

Right from the off they threw down the gauntlet but it was not apparent at the outset how insipid the home challenge would be.

The ability to find the net proved crucial as twice early in the first half this proved costly for RGU as Longstone carved open chance after chance, with the Polands in particular in rampant form, allied to regular telling contributions from Ambrose Rogers.

But it was in the full forward line where Longstone held all he aces. 2005 All Ireland minor winner Ryan Kelly was in unerring form both from dead balls and open play.

RGU’s response was tame by comparison and Kyran Smyth will be left wondering how to pick his boys up.

After the gutsy win on opening night against Ballyholland, hopes were high that a repeat performance would yield some fruit.

But this was at best a tepid performance. Gerdie Collins in defence demonstrated the fight and determination necessary to compete at this level. Conor Curran did show the odd flash, including his late goal which flattered the margin between the teams.

Garret Trainor (inset) tried hard at midfield but found himself out numbered too often, whilst Jarlath Brannigan and Conor McGrady battled with little reward up front.

The Hoops will need a big lift in performance this Friday when they have their first away outing of the year against Mayobridge, followed on Monday by the visit of high-flying Clonduff, who have just recently taken the scalp of county champions Burren.

Challenging times ahead indeed for RGU, but there was some good news this weekend with the addition of Paul Evans to the senior management team.

RGU 1-7

Longstone 3-16

ACFL DIVISION 1

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder