Taken from Mayobridge Website - http://mayobridge.down.gaa.ie

 

MAYOBRIDGE STUMBLE INTO QUARTER-FINAL

Mayobridge began their quest for a fifth successive Down Senior Championship title on Monday evening when they faced Clonduff in Newry. Prior to this game all pundits had written off Clonduff’s chances but the Hilltown side, with nothing to lose, put up a commendable performance as they pushed the ‘Bridge the whole way and almost caused the first shock of the championship. While emerging victors by a three point margin even the most ardent fan would have to agree that this was anything but a vintage Mayobridge performance. Certainly the wet underfoot conditions didn’t help and led to a lot of errors from both sides.

Clonduff started off brightest and lively full forward Jason Brown opened the scoring with a point in the opening minute and then the Yellows created a goaling opportunity in the third minute but the ball was sent wide. Noel Sexton and Michael Walsh had points in the 4th and 7th minutes before the ‘Bridge showed a glimpse of their true form with a terrific move which ended with Eoghan Woods blasting to the net in the tenth minute. Clonduff however recovered from this blow and by the 27th minute had reduced the deficit to just two points 1-3 to 0-4 being the score line. Just before the break the Sky Blues upped their game again and when Brendan Coulter sent over a perfect pass to Adrian Barry he hit the net with a low drive. Before the half-time whistle blew Noel Sexton and Plunkett McConville had swopped points to leave the score at the interval, 2-4 to 0-5.

Clonduff obviously knew that the ‘Bridge were there for the taking and fired over three points in the opening four minutes of the second half to reduce the margin to just two points and an upset looked on the cards. However despite all their endeavours this was as close as they were to get to the champions who went on to somehow get over this first hurdle in their bid to once again win the championship title. Scorers for the ‘Bridge in the second half were Michael Walsh (0-4), Brendan Coulter (0-2) and Noel Sexton (0-1).

The first game in the championship is always when a team is at its most vulnerable and this was certainly the case in this match. If Clonduff had shown a bit more composure at times they could well have come out on top but giving the ball away in vital areas proved their downfall. Mayobridge on the other hand know that they are capable of much better and when they face Bryansford in two weeks time they should be going all out to show the rest of the county just why they have won the championship for the past four years.

Mayobridge team and scorers: Liam Coulter, Gavin Barry, Brendan Grant, Seamus Grant, Conor Garvey, Shane O’Hare, Brendan Rodgers, Eoghan Woods (1-0), Miceal Lively, Ronan Sexton, Michael Walsh (0-5), Brendan Coulter (0-2), Noel Sexton (0-3), Cathal Magee, Adrian Barry (1-0).

Sub used: John Caldwell.