Bryansford
cause major upset in SFC Final - 06/10/2003
Down
Centenary Senior Football Championship Final - Bryansford 1-08 Mayobridge 0-09
Photos
from County Final 2003 29/09/2003
Mayobridge's
hopes of retaining their senior title and representing the Mourne county in the
forthcoming Ulster club championship were literally blown away by a young determined
Bryansford side lead by County Star Brian Burns who turned in a tremendous performance
on the day, and were worthy 1-8 to 0-9 victors in the end.
The reigning
champions, Mayobridge went into this final as strong favourites, and while the
challengers Bryansford were expected to give them a real test, few in the large
attendance at the wintry Newcastle venue on Sunday 5th October expected such a
result.
However, the pattern of the game was there to be seen in the
opening half, as Bryansford with some tremendous work off the ball and great defensive
play led at the break by 0-4 to 0-3. Such was the tenacious tackling and bravery
by both sets of defences throughout the game that scores were always hard to come
by, and in the end the general consensus amongst the supporters was that a goal
would decide the issue.
With
the game entering the final quarter, Mayobridge playing with the wind seemed to
be getting the upperhand when Francie Poland gave them a one point lead. However,
this score seemed to galvanise the challengers to greater effort and a brilliant
Bryansford move 12 minutes from time started deep in their own half and involving
Colm Kearney and Chris Brannigan ended with Conor Gribben scoring the all important
goal, a goal which proved to be the decisive score of the match. They could have
scored a second four minutes later but a brilliant Gribben shot came back off
the crossbar and was cleared. Try as they might in the last ten minutes, Mayobridge
couldn't break down a well disciplined Bryansford defence, although it must be
said they had their chances, but on the day it was always going to be Bryansford's
day.
Points
were exchaged twice before Bryansford substitute Chris Brannigan left three bewteen
the sides going into injury time. Deep into injury time Aidan Barry added another
for the Bridge but Bryansford held on for a famous victory - and be the first
club to have their name on the new Frank O'Hare Cup.
A hugely disappointment
result for Manager Jackie McManus and the Mayobridge side who had high hopes of
doing well in this season's Ulster club campaign if they had retained their title.
However, they came up against an inspired Bryansford who worked to a game plan,
and such was the work ethic of the whole team on this occasion it would take something
special on this occasion to deny them success.
This
is Bryansford's first championship win since 1977. There was no doubting their
ability and they throughly deserved their victory. Manager Benny Corrigan, a member
of the last winning side, certainly did his homework on the 'Bridge. Veteran and
Man of the match Gerard Morgan put the shackles on Australia bound Benny Coulter
which contributed most to this win. Only rarely did Coulter escape the attentions
of the alert Morgan.
Scorers for Bryansford were - C. Gribben 1-0, C.
Brannigan 0-7, Brian Burns and S. McKibben 0-1 each. Mayobridge - G. McMahon and
Robbie Coulter 0-2 each; Francie Poland, Mickey Linden, A. Barry, Michael Walsh
and Benny Coulter 0-1 each.
Bryansford - P. Travers; J. Magorrian, A.
Kane, J. Cunninghan; G. Morgan, A. Shields, B. McVeigh; Brian Burns, C. King;
C. Brannigan, S. King, G. McCrickard; C. Kearney, J. Ireland, C. Gribben. Subs
- S. McKibben for L. Ireland; G. Toner for B. McVeigh.
Mayobridge - Sean
Featherstone; D. Tighe, B. Grant, G. Barry; R. O'Hare, F. Poland, N. Sexton; D.
Rooney, E. Woods; Benny Coulter, M. Walsh, R. Sexton; M. Linden, Robbie Coulter,
G. McMahon. Subs - A. Barry for G. McMahon; K. O'Hare for G. Barry.
Referee:
C. Reynolds (Saul).
Photos
from County Final 2003 29/09/2003
