Men against Bhoys in Downpatrick derby

Men against Bhoys in Downpatrick derby

19 March 2025

A FIVE-STAR performance saw Downpatrick beat local rivals Celtic Bhoys and claim derby bragging rights for the third time this season.

The visitors came out on top in the reverse fixture, before inflicting further suffering on their old foes in the Harry Clarke Cup.

It quickly appeared to be more of the same this time around, with Declan Dowie, William Taggart and Nathan McAlister firing Downpatrick into a three-goal lead at the break.

Dowie doubled his account at the beginning of the second half and although Matthew McKee added a consolation for the Bhoys, Connor Campbell ensured the away side had the final say.

Downpatrick made their intentions known from the word go, flying forward in wave after wave of attack and targeting any potential holes in the Celtic defence.

Their first clear-cut chance came to fruition after just six minutes, when a clearance caught the opposition off-guard and landed at the feet of Dowie.

The striker really should have taken advantage and while he had the time and space to close in on the home net, his attempt from the edge of the box was a feeble one.

Still, the visitors would not be left to rue the wasted opportunity, with their opener arriving a mere two minutes later.

A breakdown in communication resulted in Celtic defender Craig Millar heading the ball past goalkeeper Caolin Fitzpatrick and provided Dowie with one of the easiest finishes he will ever receive.

The Hoops were seemingly unaffected by conceding so early, immediately driving forward in search of a response, and question marks still remain over how they did not equalise.

Patrick Ferris ran to chase a long ball, let it over his shoulder and fired a well-executed volley towards the bottom corner, but was left with his head in his hands when his effort cannoned off the inside of the post.

Downpatrick were undoubtedly lucky to have escaped the chance with a clean sheet intact and knew their one-goal margin was much too fragile.

They had to wait until the 30th minute to double their lead and it was at that point where it began to become clear that the three points were only heading in one direction.

Tony Carson broke away down the right wing and with the home defence at his mercy, he made his way into the box and cut the ball back to Taggart, who took one touch and tapped in unopposed.

It seemed that it was going to take something special for Celtic to find a way back into the contest, and McKee came close to producing the spectacular.

A headed clearance sat up nicely for him and when he sent a stunning half-volley flying towards the top corner from range, away ‘keeper Taylor Beattie was forced to make a magnificent save.

Once again, Downpatrick used the close call as encouragement for their attacking endeavours, increasing the margin to three before the interval.

Shea Holland’s hooked ball looked to be leading to nothing, only for McAlister to display lightning pace to meet it, use his first touch to take it beyond Fitzpatrick and slot into the open goal.

The Bhoys were down on their luck and as they failed to come out for the second half, their opponents took full advantage.

A loose ball caught the home defence sleeping and with Dowie smelling a brace, he swooped in to volley into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Celtic’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Millar was dismissed for a late challenge in the 48th minute — although it looked no more than a yellow card offence.

Downpatrick had dominated from start to finish, but they were unable kick on after their rivals were reduced to 10 men.

Instead, the Hoops found some joy of their own and with seemingly nothing to lose, they started to threaten the away goal.

Substitute Sean McMahon should have pulled a goal back when he latched onto a long pass and scooped the ball over the crossbar from long range.

The hosts finally found their breakthrough in the 79th minute when McKee got himself on the scoresheet, in spite of Beattie’s best efforts.

The Downpatrick shot-stopper produced a mind-blowing double save, only for McKee to follow in on the rebound and finish at the third time of asking.

The visiting players seemed to take conceding personally and were determined to cut the hosts’ joy short.

They did just that when Campbell got above everyone else and powered a bullet header past the stranded Fitzpatrick, concluding the scoring and rounding off a fantastic afternoon for his side.

Further joy could be on the cards for Downpatrick, with a Harry Clarke Cup semi-final clash with Strangford on the horizon, while Celtic Bhoys Academy find themselves lagging behind most of the division.

Celtic Bhoys: C Fitzpatrick, C Millar, M McKee, R Doran, C McMenamin, C Curran (captain), T Loudon, S Thompson, S Cahill, C Carberry, P Ferris.

Subs: C McCarthy, J McCreesh, S McMahon.

Downpatrick: T Beattie, S Holland, B Hynds, C Campbell, A McCoubrey, S Duggan, N McAlister, D Dowie, W Taggart, T Carson, J Montgomery (captain).

Subs: R Cope, H McCarthy, J Tumelty.