By Terry McLaughlin

THERE were mixed emotions on and off the pitch for the Toner family last Sunday.

For while Castlewellan joint manager Harry Toner was doing all he could to try and plot the downfall of the Ford from the sidelines, on the pitch the perspective was entirely different for Bryansford’s brilliant defender Stephen Toner.

He was one of the real defensive stars for the Ford as they saw off the huge challenge from Castlewellan in the East Down League final.

Over the course of the hour both individuals did all in their power to ensure that their team won.

On the day the glory belonged to Stephen’s Bryansford, the disappointment to Harry’s Castlewellan.

A past championship winning player with Castlewellan, the new generation of the Toner family was brought up in Newcastle.

And that meant that when it came to playing Gaelic football it was the green and gold rather than the green and black that Stephen opted for.

One of the emerging talents of a new look Bryansford team, the development of Stephen Toner into a defender of real quality is a huge bonus for the St. Patrick’s Park club.

It meant however that the Ford’s gain was Castlewellan’s loss. That however has never affected the absolute commitment that the popular Harry has always provided in terms of helping Stephen develop into a player capable of wearing the Down Minor colours.

When it comes to supporting one another father and son have the greatest respect for one another.

That was emphasised after the final whistle last Sunday when the first person that Harry and Stephen Toner looked out for was each other.

The warm embrace, the words of congratulation from a father to a son, the words of commiseration from a son to a father, were given and sealed by a handshake of real respect.

They are both equally committed to their respective teams.

But on Sunday the family ties that are the true community strength of the Gaelic Athletic Association were underlined, even though it involved such strong local rivals as Bryansford and Castlewellan.