Downpatrick prove difficult for Bryansford

Downpatrick prove difficult for Bryansford

31 August 2016

BRYANSFORD can count themselves lucky that they won this game as Downpatrick gave them their fill of it over the hour.

The Hoops were not fancied at all to pull off an upset, but they can be content with the effort on show.

Manager Conor Deegan had to take to the field without the influential Turley brothers, Damien and Peter. With them on board this result could have been very different.

The ‘Ford came out of the blocks quickly with Conor Maginn teeing up Peter Brannigan for a goal. Danny Savage followed with a point with Conor McGrady registering for the Hoops in the sixth minute.

Philip Bonny struck back for Bryansford, but they would not raise another white flag for 20 minutes. Ruairi Quinn and Conor McGrady pointed for the RGU as scores in this period were hard to come by.

Savage eventually nabbed his second in the 28th minute with McGrady’s second free leaving his side trailing by two at the break.

A David McKibben free had the ‘Ford three up at the start of the second half and a dummied goal from Conor Maginn followed.

The RGU hit form and a Kevin Gracey strike, coupled with a double of frees from McGrady, had the county town outfit back within three points.

The game really came alive between the 42nd and 46th minutes as three goals arrived on the scene.

Peter Brannigan swooped for his second major after being fed by Corey Laverty.

Ruairi Quinn’s pace then allowed him in for an RGU retort with Danny Savage completing the goal rush with a solo run and finish.

With just under a quarter of an hour left the ‘Ford must have thought that they had the game sewn up.

The substitutions flowed, but the game plan fell apart.

David McKibben and Ruairi Wells must have thought that they had closed the contest out with a score apiece, but 1-3 without reply in the closing stages from the Hoops ensued a tense finish that saw Bryansford operating with 13 men due to back cards.

The ‘Ford will have to up their game considerably for the semi-final against Clonduff. Downpatrick were gallant losers and will come back stronger.

Bryansford: M Reid, R McDonald, S Toner, P Sheridan, N O’Higgins, D McKibben (0-2, 1f), L Howard, J Ireland, R Wells (0-1), P Bonny (0-1), C Maginn (1-0), L Kelly, D Savage (1-2), J Maginn, P Brannigan (2-0). Subs: Ciaran Brannigan, Chris Brannigan, T Hanna, A Somers, C Laverty, K King.

Downpatrick: J Deeny, P Smyth, D Branniff, R Fitzpatrick, T Loudon, A Doherty, J Bell, C Boyd, K Gracey (0-1), C McGrady (0-6, 5f), M Magee (0-2, 1f), C.Doherty, R.Quinn (1-1), P Telford, G Collins. Subs: L Kearney, J Shields, C MacNabb, M Robinson (1-0), O McEvoy.

Bryansford 4-6

Downpatrick 2-10

MORGAN FUELS SFC Q/FINAL