RGU defeat Clonduff

RGU defeat Clonduff

1 June 2022

DOWNPATRICK RGU ran out deserved winners after overcoming a tough Clonduff outfit in an action-packed affair at a sunny Páirc Tomás Ruséil on Friday evening.

Despite conceding two goals in the opening half, the Hoops managed to stay ahead on the scoreboard at the interval and saw out the victory with a strong finish to the match.

The home side got off to the perfect start with a converted free from Jarlath Brannigan in the opening minute.

This was closely followed by a lovely curled effort off the boot from team-mate Conor McCarron. The Hoops did register a couple of wide efforts but it wasn’t long until Tim Prenter notched their third with a well struck left-footed attempt.

Clonduff were perhaps taken by surprise by their counterpart’s impressive start and were failing to get a grip of the contest.

Downpatrick defender Nathan McShane made a notable sprint back from the halfway line to fantastically deny a scoring opportunity, although the Hilltown side did open their account with a Padraig Wilson point from play on the 11th minute.

Garrett Trainor knocked over a free to restore the home side’s leading margin but the side’s would draw level after Clonduff’s Stephen McConville struck the first goal of the match through a rebounded effort from close range.

This was followed by a Eamon Brown free to give the visitors the advantage for the first time.

Things went from bad to worse for Downpatrick in a matter of minutes as Clonduff midfielder Peter McEvoy scored his side’s second goal through a lowly driven strike past RGU ‘keeper Peter Telford.

Despite now trailing by four, Downpatrick responded well with a point from Prenter before Tom Smyth remained composed to fire into the net for what would be his side’s only goal of the contest.

This quick-fire double levelled proceedings and brought the crowd into the game as the intensity continued to build in this entertaining game for the neutral.

Clonduff’s Conor Brown and Downpatrick’s Brannigan exchanged points before the latter ensured it would be the hosts who were leading at the interval after converting his free on the stroke of half-time.

Brannigan continued his scoring as he opened the second half with another well-taken free with a good point from play coming moments later from team-mate Prenter.

The hosts began the second half with the same intent as they had in the first and were overpowering the visitors in many areas of the pitch.

Clonduff’s man of the match Wilson did kick over a ’45, but the high-scoring Brannigan replied from a free.

Wilson and team-mate Tom Close managed to catch Downpatrick napping as they secured two points from play but the hosts never seemed to invite the pressure and looked for an immediate response.

Sean Bell, who was undoubtably Downpatrick’s star of the night thanks to his tireless work ethic, notched the next point but yet again that man Wilson was there to reply for his Clonduff outfit – this time from a free.

With less than a quarter to go, Downpatrick held a slight one point advantage at 1-11 to 2-7, although Sean Bell soon chipped in with another score for his side.

Johnny Bell added the next point for the hosts as Downpatrick hit their purple patch. Clonduff defender Jamie O’Hagan was shown a yellow card for a late trip on the impressive Sean Bell but the visitors still attempted to remain in touch with a good point coming from Tom Close.

Downpatrick’s McCarron struck with a point from range in the closing stages before team-mate Prenter settled any nerves by kicking over soon after. 

Despite Clonduff’s Jayme Gribben making an immediate impact off the bench with a score of his own, it was a case of too little, too late for the visitors as the final whistle was blown.

Downpatrick: P Telford; R Murphy, D Turley, E Rooney; N McShane, M Fitzpatrick, J Bell (0-1); G Collins, P Turley; J Brannigan (0-5, 4f), T Smyth (1-0), T Prenter (0-4); G Trainor (0-1f), S Bell (0-2), C McCarron (0-2).

Subs used: C MacNabb for E Rooney (41), T McNeill for G Trainor (48), D McCarron for S Bell (55)

Clonduff: M Devlin; J O’Hagan, P Brannagan, R Lively; R Carr, C Carr, D Rafferty; P McEvoy (1-0), C Brown (0-1); T Close (0-2), P Cowan, A Carr; E Brown (0-2f), P Wilson (0-4, 1 ’45, 1f), S McConville (1-0).

Subs used: P Clancy for S McConville (48), J Gribben (0-1) for R Lively (56)

Yellow cards: J O’Hagan