Bryansford
overcome spirted Rostrevor - 23/09/2003
Down
Senior Football Championship Semi Final - Bryansford 0-14 Rostrevor 1-07
Bryansford had to pull out all the stops to overcome a spirited
Rostrevor side in the Down SFC semi-final at Pairc Esler, Newry on a scoreline
of 0-14 to 1-7.
The losers who were without the injured county star Martin
Cole, Adrian Mackin and Barry Cole 'rose to the occasion' in fine style and made
the stronger Bryansford battle for the honours right to the final whistle.
The opening half proved even enough and at the break the sides were level at 0-5
apiece. The winners upped their performance and as the match entered the final
quarter and they looked in command when they led by five points. At this stage
in the proceedings they looked 'home and dry'. Then in a quick counter-attack
Rostrevor got right back in the game, when Dermot Mackin now operating in the
attack finished to the Bryansford net, and there was only two points between the
sides.
This proved a 'wake up' call for the winners, and they quickly
got back into their stride with points from Chris Brannigan (2) and one each from
Conor Gribben and Colm Kearney. Try as they might, Rostrevor couldn't break down
the winners defence in those closing minutes and their only return was a late
point from Dermot Mackin - which proved too little too late in the end.
A good game all-round with plenty of wholehearted football displayed by both teams.
Bryansford showed at times they have the class and ability, and will no doubt
trouble the reigning champions, Mayobridge in the county decider.
Bryansford
- P. Travers; J. Magorrian, A. Kane, J. Cunningham; G. Morgan, A. Shields, B.
McVeigh; Brian Burns, C. King; C. Brannigan 0-7, Shane King 0-1, G. McCrickard;
C. Kearney 0-4, J. Ireland, C. Gribben 0-2.
Rostrevor - C. Sloan; P.
Magee, G. Farrell, J. Farrell; T. Murphy, S. Farrell, D. Mackin 1-1; M. Sherry
0-1, J. Austin; F. McBreen, A. Cole 0-2, E. McConville 0-1; John Fegan, Joe Fegan,
S. Parr. Subs: M. Farrell for S. Parr; A. Cousins for G. Farrell.
Referee:
J. A. Gribben from Clonduff
