Carryduff claim first ever senior silverware

Carryduff claim first ever senior silverware

9 August 2023

CARRYDUFF created history as they defeated league rivals Loughinisland to capture the Division 1 crown in front of a large home support on Friday.

The title is the Carryduff club’s first ever piece of senior silverware and they managed to secure it with a game to spare, overcoming their opponents who were second place in the standings by a one-point difference before the contest.

James Guinness netted, albeit scrappily, the only goal of the game but there could be no doubt this was a polished performance by the champions – especially in the second half.

In contrast, Loughinisland will reflect on their outing through gritted teeth as they failed to display their usual fantasy football that spectators have became accustom to this season.

However, this wasn’t necessarily a poor performance as a whole from the Blues, rather it was a below par showing after the interval which ultimately ended their title charge.

Carryduff began strongly and found themselves three points ahead thanks to a well taken score from Joe Tunney Jr and two frees from Cian Clinton.

Stefan Mason stopped the bleeding for Loughinisland with their first point of the evening following good work from team-mate Oisin Savage and the Blues almost found the back of the net when Declan McClements opted to go for goal.

However, the midfielder’s effort was impressively stopped by Carryduff ‘keeper Mark Hynes and the danger was cleared.

Despite this missed opportunity, Loughinisland found inspiration and managed to take the lead after Savage kicked over a free, McClements split the posts from play and Peter McKeown pointed with 14 minutes gone.

The visitors were also afforded a lucky escape after a defensive error gifted Carryduff forward Ronan Beattie a chance at goal, although he lost his footing and the opportunity went begging.

The hosts drew level when skipper James Guinness dummied his marker and kicked over from range before team-mate Tunney Jr added his second of the match following a blistering fast counterattack.

Veteran Dan Gordon tied things up once more but Carryduff would hold a one-point lead at the break courtesy of a Beattie point.

Half-time: Carryduff 0-6 Loughinisland 0-5.

Following the break, Carryduff returned to the pitch rejuvenated with a clear sign of intent.

The hosts were too hot to handle, with points coming quickly from John McGeough and Beattie before a momentary rebuttal from Loughinisland’s Gary Stranney kept the Blues in touching distance.

However, Carryduff refused to stagger and added more punishment through a Clinton ’45 before Guinness received a pass in the Loughinisland danger area in the next stage of play and bundled his shot past Blues ‘keeper Turley for what would be the only goal of the encounter.

Guinness and McGeough tagged on further points and now Carryduff held an eight-point lead with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.

This would ultimately prove too big of a gap to close for the Blues, despite a credible effort which brought the scoring back to 1-11 to 0-11 in the latter stages of the contest.

The writing was on the wall and Carryduff refused to forfeit their advantage and clung on to claim senior honours for the first time in what is the club’s 51st year.

Following the victory, Carryduff skipper James Guinness reflected on both his team’s achievement and their personal battle with Loughinisland.

“We set out at the start of the year to just improve on last year’s league campaign and we weren’t really setting any goals for it,” he said.

“We were just trying to get a bit more consistency and build on what we did last year, get as many boys on the field as possible and it’s nice that something has came at the end of it.

“With Loughinisland we have always had ding dongs down the years from Division 2 and Division 1, as well as championship games.”

He added: “They beat us earlier in the year at their home so there’s not much more than a kick of the ball between the two teams and I’m sure there will not be if we meet again.”

Carryduff: M Hynes; M McGrath, C Cassidy, O Sherry; P McCabe, J Connery, J Guinness (capt, 1-2); E Donnelly, J McGeough (0-3); C Clinton (0-3, 2f, 1 ‘45), J Tunney Jr (0-2), J McFlynn; R Beattie (0-2, 1f), B Cox, D Guinness.

Subs used: C Rooney.

Yellow card: J McGeough, E Donnelly.

Loughinisland: C Turley; S Cochrane, P Megoran, E Nixon; D McLaughlin, J Flynn (capt), G Stranney (0-1); D McClements (0-2), D Gordon (0-2); P McKeown (0-1), P McMullan, C Megoran; O Savage (0-2, 2f), S Mason (0-1), J Savage.

Subs used: R Mason (0-2, 2f), A McClements.

Yellow cards: J Flynn, S Mason, S Cochrane.

Referee: Ronan Barry (Tullylish)