Linden tactics
do the trick for the Bridge
TAKEN FROM Belfast
Telegraphy Website
Mayobridge 2-6 Kilcoo
1-7
13 December 2004
Mayobridge produced
a brilliant second half display to
overcome holders Kilcoo in this Down
SFL Final in Pairc Esler, Newry yesterday.
In doing so the Bridge
brought off the league and championship
double for the third time in seven
years.
In a game that produced
some great football it was the pace
and power of Kilcoo, who were inspired
by a fifth minute goal from Gary McAvoy
in the first half that had the holders
on top and looking good.
However Mayobridge
manager Mickey Linden and his backroom
team, made some shrewd switches at
half time and they came out all fired
up.
Mickey Linden departed
at the interval with Paddy Donnelly
going into the attack while Ronan
Sexton replaced his brother Noel.
Within two minutes
this pair set up Robbie Coulter for
a goal and the Bridge were back in
the game after having trailed by five
points at the interval.
The second half was
fiercely contested and the festive
spirit was lacking five minutes from
time when a couple of flare-ups saw
Mayobridge's Brendan Grant and Kilcoo's
Anthony Devlin sent off .
Kilcoo dominated
the first half with Dominic McEvoy
and Martin McClean on top at midfield
and Gary McAvoy, Noel Devlin and Conor
Laverty excelling in attack.
Mayobridge were sluggish
and pedestrian in this period. Kilcoo
led by 1-4 to 0-2 at half time.
But what a transformation
in the second half.
Benny Coulter was
switched to midfield and he gave an
exhibition of high fielding bringing
his side back into the game.
Goals from Robbie
Coulter and Ronan Sexton put Mayobridge
ahead and they held out in an exciting
finish.
MAYOBRIDGE: S. Featherstone:
G. Barry, K. O'Hare, R. O'Hare; B.
Grant, F. Poland, D. Tighe; D. Rooney,
E. Woods (capt); N. Sexton, B. Coulter
(0-1), A. Barry; J. Quinn (0-1 free),
M. Linden (0-1), R. Coulter (1-3,
0-2 frees) Subs: M. Lively for R.
O'Hare (10 mins); R. Sexton (1-0)
for N. Sexton (h.t); P. Donnelly for
M. Linden (h.t).
KILCOO: R. Morgan;
N. McEvoy, S. O'Hanlon, Gerard McEvoy;
B. OHanlon, K. Morgan, A. Brannigan;
D. McEvoy, M. McClean; A. Devlin (0-1,
N. Devlin (0-1 free), D. Kane (0-1
free); C. Laverty (0-3), E. Devlin,
Gary McAvoy (1-1). Subs: D. Grant
for N. Devlin.
