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Photo taken by Louis Mc Nally Freelance
Photographer
Mayobridge team after they defeat
Burren
Mayobridge confirmed
their status as the top Senior club in Down on Sunday
when they defeated Burren to claim the Division one
League title. Mayobridge the home club of Down star
Mickey Linden clinched the league and championship
double for the second successive year by defeating
old rivals and near-neighbours, Burren by 2-13 to
0-11.
This league final played
at the Ballykinlar venue was contested with a championship
fervour throughout and unfortunately was marred by
a second-half flare-up which resulted in two players
from each side being red-carded. Mayobridge played
with the advantage of the breeze in the first half
and dominated proceedings for most of the thirty minutes
after early Burren pressure failed to produce any
scores. Michael Walsh scored a splendid point in the
fourth minute to open proceedings, with Gavin Murdock
equalising a minute later with a well-taken free.
However a succession of scores from Michael Walsh
(0-04), Benny Coulter (0-01), and Glen McMahon (0-02)
saw the Sky Blues ease into a lead of 0-08 to 0-02
with half-time approaching. Burren then received a
real hammer blow when Martin Berry and Noel Sexton
conjured up a marvellous attacking movement to send
Robbie Coulter through to shoot to the net from close
range. Just before the break John Trainor and Michael
Walsh swopped points to leave the interval score at
1-09 to 0-03.
Burren opened the scoring
in the second half through Gavin Murdock but this
was followed by a long period which neither team being
able to score. Ten minutes into the half came the
flare-up and after matters had settled down four players
were dismissed. The bust-up seemed to unsettle the
‘Bridge more than Burren and the St. Mary’s men fired
over a succession of points to reduce the Mayobridge
lead to four points. Just as Burren supporters were
harbouring hopes of victory a quickly taken free by
Declan Rooney found the Burren defence out of position
and Mickey Linden gained possession to speed through
to finish with great aplomb. This score effectively
ended the Burren challenge and further scores from
Glen McMahon (0-02) sounded out Mayobridge’s title.
Another great season for the Mayobridge club who over
the past few seasons have been the dominating club
on the county senior scene in the Mourne county.
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