By Jonathan Brown
DOWNPATRICK IIs manager Patrick McCarthy says his team’s McCall’s Newcastle League Division One title win is a “great achievement”.
McCarthy’s side secured the title after beating Dundrum United 4-1 at the start of the month, with the men in green yet to lose a game this season having only dropped two points, scoring 58 goals in the process.
The former Downshire Hospital player, who manages the team alongside Mark Murphy, says, for him, the achievement is made more memorable given their second team status.
“It’s a great achievement – I think it’s actually harder to win a league title with a reserves or seconds team than a first team.
“You’re not getting the same players week in, week out.
“You’ve a core of seven or eight players, then after that it will range between first team players coming back from injury before going back to the firsts and academy players coming through.”
And they’ve beaten Dundrum United, the only first team in Division One following their Premier Division relegation in 2023/24, to the punch.
“For any second team to beat a first team to the line, especially in the league, is impressive.
“Any team can win a cup, but a league is season-long, so to do it the way our boys have done it is fantastic,” McCarthy said.
A Downpatrick IIs team was only set up last season, with the club keen to create a bridge between their U-18 side and the first team.
McCarthy and Murphy were previously in charge of the U-18s and have integrated many of the players they coached into the team, including Patrick’s son Harry, guided by older heads in the squad.
“We have brought experience in with us to guide the younger players in the right way.
“We have players that have done it all in football – Christian Holland, Barry Treacy, Aaron McGarry, Conor Moore.
“They’ve won a lot as players and they’re there to help the younger players break through.”
It’s a stark contrast to the end of last season when McCarthy’s team were pipped to the Division One title by Rossglass County, also losing the KitRoom Shield Final to the same side.
“The whole squad have given everything they could all season.
“We went so close last year when Rossglass pipped us to the post in the last game of the season, and beat us in the KitRoom Final.
“So I think there was more of a drive this season to show our worth after last year.”
The second team’s title triumph means Downpatrick finally have something to celebrate, after the firsts suffered defeat in the Bobby Dalzell and Harry Clarke finals this season, also losing out in the Premier Division title race following defeat to Killough on Saturday.
“Without taking anything away from the firsts, it’s going to be great to see silverware at the top table on our presentation night for all to admire,” McCarthy explained.
