Savage accuracy hits Downpatrick hopes

24 April 2013

BRYANSFORD produced a workmanlike display to get the better of Downpatrick at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil on Friday night.

Downpatrick, it seemed, were expecting a one-sided affair as only the RGU team appeared in the match day programme. However, while the Bryansford team may not have been in the programme, they most certainly were on the pitch and announced their arrival early on with a brace of quick scores.

Danny Savage got the ball rolling with a 14 yard free and then added a second, this time from an acute angle as he ran onto a long diagonal ball in from Neil Murray.

Downpatrick’s Garrett Trainor opened their account with a well taken free from near the sideline, but when the ‘Ford went back down the field, Chris Brannigan fired over the first right-footed point of the game. Interestingly, Brannigan was the only player to score with his right for the opening 27 minutes of this game. Danny Savage added his third with yet another type of score, this time a snapshot when under pressure and with 10 minutes on the clock Bryansford were looking pretty comfortable.

Downpatrick didn’t let Bryansford rest on their laurels for long as points apiece from Jarlath Branagan and Garrett Trainor had the Hoops within a point.

Chris Brannigan doubled his tally before David McKenna struck over from 35 yards. This score proved to be the catalyst to turn McKenna’s evening from one of struggle to ultimately a very impressive second half display. When Conor McGrady pointed after a fine run he felt he had done enough to leave just two in it at half-time, but there was time for Danny Savage to grab a fourth of the opening 30 minutes as he got on the end of a fantastic passing move which had been started by Jim Magorrian 20 metres from his own goal.

Downpatrick knew they would need to start the second half well. During the interval the sun sank lower in the sky and the breeze intensified. Jarlath Branagan used this to his advantage as he sailed a long distance free between the posts on 32 minutes.

Chris Brannigan responded in kind as he raised a white flag from a dead ball at the other end before Ryan Slavin and Branagan raised home hopes as they pointed to pull Downpatrick back to within a point for a second time.

Indeed, the Hoops could well have taken the lead, but after another incisive run at the heart of the Bryansford defence ,Conor McGrady pulled a shot wide of the left hand post when he should have hit the target.

An easy free was the gateway for Danny Savage to keep his score count stacking up, but equally trusty at the other end was the boot of Branagan as he once again left the minimum in it.

This point at the midway stage of the second half was to be Downpatrick’s final score.

Bryansford would go on to add five. The first three were all contributions from Danny Savage with the third of these the most impressive. A short 45 routine was worked as Savage played the ball to Neil Murray who gave a quick return pass and the full forward popped it over.

Chris Brannigan and Conor Gribben wrapped up the scoring bringing to a close what was, for large parts, a tough encounter in trying conditions on a heavy pitch.

Downpatrick scorers: J. Branagan (0-4, 3 frees), G. Trainor (0-2 frees), C. McGrady (0-1), R. Slavin (0-1).

Bryansford scorers: D. Savage (0-8, 4 frees), Chris Brannigan (0-4, 3 frees), D. McKenna (0-1), C. Gribben (0-1).

Downpatrick 0-8

Bryansford 0-14

DOWN ACFL DIVISION 1

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