‘Town win derby battle

‘Town win derby battle

12 September 2012

DOWNPATRICK, after a brilliant start in which they led by 0-4 to 0-1 after six minutes, failed to maintain their momentum and were well beaten by a Castlewellan side that showed class, ability and finishing power in this Morgan Milk SFC second Round Qualifier in Kilcoo on Saturday afternoon.

Although only two points separated the sides at half-time with the winners just ahead, it was a brilliant second half by Castlewellan that saw them move up at least two gears and completely outplay and outscore a Downpatrick side that simply lost its way, lacked the pace of the winners and overall failed to produce the form that overcame Loughinisland in their previous game.

Downpatrick impressed in that opening spell, but once the winners moved up a gear there was only going to be one winner. Downpatrick became ragged, lacked leadership and were out thought and outplayed by a Castlewellan side that has served a notice on the remaining teams in the competition that they are now serious contenders for the title.

Castlewellan had an outstanding half back line in Paddy Boyle, Liam Lennon and Damien McGrady, who along with Barry Travers at full back gave away few chances.

Fintan McGreevy and Luke Toner at midfield won their battles with the hard working Kevin Gracey and Peter Turley.

The Castlewellan attack played with poise and precision making and taking some excellent scores with Kevin Duffin, Aidan Burns and Colm Flanagan being most prominent. Downpatrick struggled after a good opening half in which they trailed by only two points at half-time. Anto Doherty, Gerard Collins and Declan Turley worked overtime in defence, but the attack lacked penetration with Karl Oakes, Jarlath Branagan and Garrett Trainor working hard, but with little reward.

Downpatrick opened with two pointed frees by Karl Oakes and a point each from Garrett Trainor before Aidan Burns opened the Castlewellan account with a point.

Isaac McCauley had a Downpatrick point after ten minutes, but Castlewellan settled and scored four unanswered points with three from frees by Fintan McGreevy to take the lead by a point.

Twice points were exchanged before Paddy Boyle had a point for the winners as Castlewellan led by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time.

It was all Castlewellan in the second half. Kevin Duffin found the net from a penalty after four minutes and that in a way killed off the game as a contest.

Aidan Burns added a second goal two minutes later and with Liam and Donal McKibben, Aidan Burns and Colm Flanagan adding points they led by 2-12 to 0-7 midway through the half.

Downpatrick’s first score of the half came after 18 minutes when Garrett Trainor finished a good move involving Peter Turley and Oakes to send to the net. Karl Oakes added a point from a free ,but that was their last score.

Castlewellan strolled through the final ten minutes adding a third goal from Kevin Duffin and points from Colm Flanagan and a Fintan McGreevy free for an impressive victory and a quarter-final place.

Castlewellan: M. Cunningham, S. McCann, B. Travers, D. Morgan (0-2), P. Boyle (0-1), L. Lennon, D. McGrady, F. McGreevy (0-4 frees), L. Toner, Cathal Crilly, K. Duffin (2-0, 1-0 pen)), C. Flanagan (0-1), S. Russell (0-1), A. Burns (1-3), D. Gilmore. Subs; C. Corrigan for S. McCann (20), L. McKibben (0-1) for S. Russell (35), D. McKibben (0-1) for D. Gilmore ((37); E. Hardy for D. McGrady (55); Colm Crilly for A. Burns (58).

Downpatrick: J. Deeny, D. Braniff, A. Doherty, D. Turley, J. Polly, G. Collins, L. Kearney, K. Gracey, P. Turley, I. McCauley (0-1), C. McGrady (0-1), G. Trainor (1-1), S. Bell (0-1), K. Oakes (0-4 frees), J. Branagan. Subs: J. Bell for S. Bell (28), E. Boyle for J. Polly (35), J. Collins for I. McCauley (55), G. Robinson for G. Collins (58).

Referee: K. Trainor (Longstone).

Castlewellan 3-14

Downpatrick 1-8

SFC 2ND ROUND QUALIFIER