Longstone
win 2003 Castlewellan Sevens
- 29/09/03
By Ciaran Crilly
Longstone win the Down
Democrat/O'Neill's Irish international Sportswear sponsored Castlewellan Sevens.
Longstone, last years Down IFC winners wrote themselves into the club's history
records when they overcame 2002 (Castlewellan and Kilmacud) All-Ireland Sevens
winners Bellaghy in the final of the O'Neills Irish Sportswear and Down Democrat
sponsored Castlewellan invitation sevens.
In this the 24th year of the
competition there was a record number of entries. Teams from Ulster, Leinster,
Connacht, the four universities in Belfast and Dublin as well as a combined British
Universities team made up the 26 teams taking part.
Played at three venues
in six groups on a round robin basis, there was eight hours of brilliant football,
excitement and entertainment. The winners and runners-up in the groups made it
through to the quarterfinals. However, some well-known sides failed to come through
including Round Towers (Dublin), UUJ, Queens University, Walters town (Meath),
Emo (Laois) and Blessington (Wicklow).
The first quarterfinal saw Longstone
overcome former winners St Mary's Sligo after extra time by 3-12 to 1-16. An Riocht
then met Dublin side Thomas Davis and won by 4-10 to 1-4 with Down county star
John Clarke and Gary Cunningham getting two goals each. In the third quarterfinal
former winners Loughinisland met an inform Dromintee (Armagh) who won by 4-6 to
1-4. The fourth quarterfinal saw Bellaghy overcome Liatroim by 3-10 to 2-5.
The scene was set for the semi-finals, which proved two real thrillers. Longstone,
with Barry and Mark Doran, Ambrose Rogers and Michael Higgins in brilliant form,
overcame Dromintee by 0-14 to 0-10. The second semi-final between holders Bellaghy
and An Riocht saw the Derry side well in control and canters to a 5-8 to 0-9 victory.
The final itself between hot favourites Bellaghy and Longstone was a
thriller all the way. Bellaghy powered by the four Doherty brothers Garret, Fergal,
Kevin and Connor, found the Mourne side quite a handful.
The "Stone"
tackled quickly, harassed their opponents and never allowed them to settle into
their well-known style.
Points in the first half were exchanged at regular
intervals with Fergal and Kevin Doherty and Francis Glackin pointing for Bellaghy
and Adrian Traynor and Barry Doran for the "Stone" as the sides were locked at
0-5 each, seconds before half-time. With the last kick of the half Gavin Diamond
pointed for Bellaghy as they led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.
Twice
within the opening minutes of the second half points were exchanged before Louis
McPeake put Bellaghy two ahead.
The turning point came midway through
the half when a defensive mistake let in Mark Doran for the Longstone goal to
give them a one-point lead. Although Gavin Diamond levelled it was Ambrose Rogers
who sent the Longstone followers into space with the winning point seconds from
the finish.
Pat Rodgers our club president presented the Pat Keown memorial
Cup to Longstone captain Michael Higgins and trophies to both winners and runners-up.
Castlewellan and Down keeper Mickey McVeigh handed over the player of
the tournament to Longstone's Barry Doran.
MATCH STATS
Longstone:
M Higgins, B Doran (0-5), A Traynor (0-1), E Trimble, A Rogers (0-1), M Doran
(1-2), J Traynor, P Traynor, J Cunningham.
Bellaghy:
G Doherty, K
Diamond, F Doherty (0-1), F Glackin (0-4), G Diamond (0-2), K Doherty (0-3), L
McPeake (0-1), C Doherty, J Cassidy.
In a build up to the Club's 2004
sevens silver jubilee, celebrating 25 years of the Castlewellan Sevens, the organising
committee increased the 2003 prize fund to make it more attractive for competing
teams. In addition to the generous sponsorship by the Down Democrat the Club attracted
additional sponsorship from O'Neill's International Sportswear which saw the winners
Longstone receive an official team (25 players) strip of O'Neill's Jersey's shorts
and socks in their Club's choice of design. The winning team also picked up the
magnificent 'Pat Keown' perpetual cup presented by Club President Pat Rodgers
as well as individual players prizes of bronze Cuhcuhulain Statuettes which have
long been a hallmark of this prestigious competition. Newly designed bronze individual
prizes were presented to the runners-up supplied by the Medallion Centre Warrenpoint
who this year also sponsored the 'player of the tournament' trophy. In addition
the 'player of the tournament' received an O'Neill's sports gear to the value
of £200.
The Club are also grateful to First Trust Bank, Down District
Council and The Power House for their sponsorship of the annual sevens.
Next year 2004 St Malachy's will celebrate 25 years of this successful annual
event and the organising committee intend that this will be a very special and
memorable competition for all the teams taking part and particularly the winners.
If your Club would be interested in competing in the 2004 sliver jubilee sevens
please drop a line to the Club Secretary or email us at castlewellangac@gaelmail.com
giving brief details of your team achievements. Entries will be limited to 30
teams.
