Darragh set for
life at the top
Taken from Down Democrat
DARRAGH Cross are back in Division Two
of the All-County League - and it’s a
great feeling says one of their top
players Fintan Murray. Following
an immediate nosedive back to Division
Three a season ago following a
promotion-winning run in 2004, the men
from St. Mochai’s are gearing
themselves for what they hope will be
a much longer and happier stay than
their last visit to the higher
division.
Fintan, a senior
player for Darragh for over sixteen
years, is sure to play a major role
throughout when the new season starts.
“Yes, we are
looking forward to playing in Division
Two this year. We had a marvellous run
in Division Three but like all
footballers we want to be as high up
the divisions as we can reach.
“We suffered a bruising on our last
run in Division Two. We couldn’t
really cling on. We suffered too many
defeats and though it was great to be
there, we were not equipped for the
higher grade over the course of the
year. “It was a great experience
for us though, and we have a fair idea
of what opposition we face this time
around.
“The funny thing,
or the most irritating, depending on
how you look at it, that when we were
up there, we had wins over the big
teams such as Loughinisland,
Downpatrick, Warrenpoint,etc. but
could-n’t maintain it. We dropped too
many points to the so-called lower
teams.
“There are many
fine teams in the division so it will
be tough from start to finish but we
are heading towards the season filled
with optimism. We have to. There is no
point in going up full of anxiety or
dread. “It was disappointing for us
when we were relegated as we dearly
wanted to remain in the higher
division. “In the top divisions there
is a better standard of football and
this usually brings the best out of
players. “We will be facing county
players and some outstanding club
players.
“Following our
relegation we regrouped, planned and
worked very hard towards gaining
immediate promotion and we did just
that. “We don’t intend to
surrender our place as quickly this
time around. “The players are wiser
and more experienced now, and I’m sure
there will be no hidden scares for us.
“I think it would be important for us
to get some early points on the board
to give us a quick boost. “The first
month is vital. All teams are anxious
to begin well so we will have to be on
alert.
“I’m making no
hasty predictions, it would be foolish
for me to do so, but all being well we
should be able to give a better
account of ourselves this time
around.”
Darragh will be
captained by the experienced Tom
McMahon who usually plays at centre
half forward.
Tom is one of three
seasoned brothers on the side, the
other two being goalkeeper Michael and
corner back Pat where his regular
colleagues are Sean Timoney and
Fintan.
Occasionally
Michael’s young son, Mark, who is
currently with the Down Minor squad,
samples some senior action.
The spine of the
team is Eugene Murray, Peter Swail and
Gary Kennedy.
Among the new kids
who have added a fresh outlook are
Pauric Mageean, a Down U-21 player,
who was picked for Queen’s Sigerson
Cup team, but didn’t actually play,
Owen Mageean, Ryan McGreevy and Hugh
Murray, the club’s Young Player of the
Year.
Darragh Cross is a
comparatively new club. The brainchild
of Pat Mullan who enlisted the help of
Paddy ‘Mo’ Doherty, Down’s legendary
All-Ireland star, back in 1964. St.
Mochai’s, as the new club became known
as, played against teams from Bangor,
Ards, Killyleagh, Dunsford,
Strangford, going on to win the Minor
League in 1965.
Today’s manager is
Dessie McNeill who is assisted by
Henry Conaghan. They were the men
behind last season’s searing run of
wins that catapulted Darragh back up
the charts. They won the division
play-off final with ease against Clan
na Banna. There is no doubting the
Darragh club has blossomed since it
infant days and has become one of the
most respected clubs in East Down.
They have been training hard and
gearing themselves for a tilt at
Division Two once again. Don’t be
surprised if the Green and Whites stay
the pace this time around.
