It’s win or bust

It’s win or bust

16 October 2019

TWO of the biggest names in Down football go head-to-head in a relegation showdown on Saturday afternoon.

Former Ulster kingpins Bryansford face Downpatrick at St Malachy’s Park in Castlewellan in a win or bust game for both clubs, with the losers playing their football in Division 2 next season.

It’s hard to believe that only four years ago Bryansford were crowned worthy league champions following a league final win over Mayobridge and that was at a time when all-conquering Kilcoo were at their pomp.

Quite a few players from that league winning side are still at the club, but a loss of form has seen the St Patrick’s Park side tumble down the table and now facing the possibility of joining Castlewellan in the second tier of county football.

Downpatrick are basically in the unenviable position of a relegation play-off as a direct result of having to play two games less than everyone else — bar Ballyholland — as punishment for last year’s fall out between the two clubs.

It has been a while since Downpatrick lifted silverware of any sort, but this is definitely not where they wanted to be at this stage of the season.

The sides have met twice in the league this season, the latest confrontation only two weeks ago when Downpatrick came from behind at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil to win 2-12 to 0-16.

That victory ensured Downpatrick of a play-off spot and also ped Bryansford into the relegation mire — Bryansford won their first meeting at St Patrick’s Park 2-19 to 1-13.

Saturday’s confrontation will be a no holds barred confrontation.

Derby affairs between these two old adversaries are always tasty and no quarter will be asked for or given at the weekend.

Bryansford will rely heavily on the experience of Davy McKibben, Conor Maginn, Ruairi Wells, Danny Savage and Timmy Hanna, with Downpatrick looking to Gerard Collins, the Turley brothers, Peter and Damian and Jarlath Branagan.

Downpatrick received a massive boost last week when Conor McGrady, who was expected to miss the rest of the season, made a remarkably early comeback as a substitute in the game against Bryansford — his appearance from the start could be a game-changer on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Downpatrick’s close neighbours will take on Saval in a Division 2 relegation play-off, also on Saturday at St Malachy’s Park and will act as a curtain-raiser to the ACFL 1 clash.

Saul looked destined a few weeks back to join Tullylish and one other team in Division 3 next season, but last-gasp victories in recent weeks over Saval and then Darragh Cross on Saturday have given Ronan McCartan’s side a lifeline.

Darragh did Saul a favour last Wednesday night when they beat Liatroim, effectively condemning the Fontenoys to Division 3.

Saul — in their first season in Division 2 — have a mixed bag of youth and experience, but could well have to beat Saval without the services of the talented Cormac Byrne, out with a knee injury. 

However, in Cathail Arnold, Lorcan and Ciaran Harney, Pierce Laverty and Rory Mullen they have the players capable of producing the goods when it matters most.

Elsewhere, Dromara play St John Bosco tonight in a Division 3 relegation play-off at Tullylish with the losers joining Glasdrumman in Division 4 next season.

Bright embark on their initial Ulster Club Championship odyssey with a game against Cavan JFC winners Killinkere at Kingspan Breffni on Sunday and if they can replicate the form shown against Aughlisnafin in the JFC final.

To complete a hectic weekend, the action returns to Pairc Esler on Sunday where the MFC final replay between Kilcoo and Burren takes place with a 3.30pm start.