Hoops in cruise past ‘Islanders

15 August 2012

DOWNPATRICK produced a scintillating display of fast, open and attacking football to overcome Loughinisland in this Morgan Milk SFC Qualifier game in St. Patrick’s Park, Newcastle, on Saturday evening.

The winners dominated throughout and had their attack been more accurate, they could have won by a larger margin. They moved the ball with pace and accuracy and throughout, played as a unit.

Loughinisland were a big disappointment. Apart from a strong display at midfield by Dan Gordon, full back Conor O’Toole, half back Matt Doran centre half forward Conor Killen and substitute Rory Mason, they lacked the power, determination and team work of the winners.

To add to their misery they finished the game with 12 players after midfielder John McCarthy and half forward Dominic McClements received two yellow cards follower by a red, while substitute Seamus O’Hare received a straight red.

But these dismissals did not really have any influence on the result. Indeed, they played better and restricted Downpatrick to two late points.

In a strong Downpatrick defence Damien and Declan Turley and Anthony Doherty were very sound while Kevin Gracey and Peter Turley shaded it over the hard working Dan Gordon and John McCarthy in midfield.

Up front Karl Oakes was most accurate from frees ably assisted by Jarlath Branagan and Gerard Collins.

Downpatrick started strongly, but took some time to find the scoring range. They shot three wides before Garret Trainor pointed after eight minutes.

Jarlath Branagan and Karl Oakes pointed two frees as they led by three points midway through the half. Keeping up the pressure, Karl Oakes and Damien Turley increased the Downpatrick lead to five points.

Loughinisland did have several promising attacks, but found the RGU defence in no mood to let their grip on the game slip. It was seven minutes from half-time before Loughinisland had their first score when Conor Killen pointed.

But Downpatrick finished the half with a Jarlath Branagan point to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 at half-time.

Points from Conail MacNabb and a Karl Oakes free increased the winners’ lead in the five minutes after the interval. It was now that Loughinisland produced their best football with a point from a free by substitute Seamus O’Hare and one from Dominic McClements midway through the half.

But then came the dismissals all within six minutes. Although the ‘Island fought back strongly they failed to score again and Downpatrick added points from Kevin Gracey and Jarlath Branagan for an impressive victory.

Downpatrick: J. Deeny, L. Kearney, A. Doherty, Declan Turley, C. MacNabb (0-1), Damien Turley (0-1), D, Braniff, K. Gracey (0-1), P. Turley, N. Cunningham, K. Oakes (0-3 frees), G. Collins, J. Brannigan (0-3, 0-1 free), G. Trainor (0-1), R. Slavin. Subs: C. Curran for L. Kearney (20), C. McGrady for R. Slavin (39), I. McCauley for K. Oakes (56), J. Collins for G. Trainor (58), G. Robinson for J. Brannigan (60).

Loughinisland: C. Turley, S. Cochrane, Conor O’Toole, D. McMullan, P. Digney, Cormac O’Toole, M. Doran, D. Gordon, J. McCarthy, D. McClements (0-1), C. Killen (0-1), A. Nixon, P. McKinney, L. Turley, C. O’Reilly.

Subs: R. Mason for P. McKinney (33), S. O’Hare (0-1 free) for A. Nixon (35), A. McClements for C. Killen (45), P. Megoran for Cormac O’Toole (59).

Referee: G. Corrigan (Castlewellan).

Downpatrick 0-10

Loughinisland 0-3

DOWN SFC QUALIFIERS

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