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Battling performance from former champions

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Former Down title-holders Mayobridge had to battle hard to overcome a determined Kilcoo side in this Down SFC quarter-final played at the Hilltown venue on Sunday evening 29th August. In the end, they came through on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-10.

This was an excellent game of football played at a fast pace throughout, and at the break the Mayobridge side led by 1-6 to 0-6. Kilcoo to their credit continued to take the game to their more experienced opponents in the second-half and during that period a shock result looked very much on the cards. However, the ‘Bridge led by former county star, Mickey Linden – their player-manager held on for a deserved by narrow one goal win.

There was drama in injury time when Kilcoo almost got through for the equalising goal, but Donal Kane’s goalbound shot was blocked by Mayobridge midfielder Declan Rooney to deny Kilcoo a replay that many in the crowd felt they deserved.

Mayobridge – Sean Featherstone; G. Barry, K. O’Hare, R. O’Hare; B. Grant, F. Poland, D. Tighe; E. Woods, Declan Rooney; N. Sexton 0-1, Benny Coulter 0-2, A. Barry 0-1; J. Quinn 0-1, Mickey Linden 0-3, R. Coulter 1-2. Sub used – C. Fagan.

Kilcoo – J. Kane; N. McEvoy, S. O’Hanlon, G. McEvoy; B. O’Hanlon, A. Branagan, K. Morgan; M. McClean, S. M. Devlin 0-1; E. Devlin, A. Devlin, C. Morgan; D. Kane 0-5, C. Laverty, G. McEvoy 0-3. Subs used – B. Morgan 0-1, T. O’Hanlon, P. McGreevy, D. McEvoy and P. McGreevy.

Referee – C. Reynolds from Saul.