|
Down County Senior Football Final
Mayobridge
2 - 14 v Rostrevor 0 - 09 - 15/09/2002
Linden
Stars for Bridge as they power their way into Ulster
(taken
from Hogan Stand web site)
Down football champions Mayobridge eased past Rostrevor
to collect their third county title in four years as they
showed why they are the dominating force in Down senior
football at the present time when before a 5,000 crowd at
sun-drenched Pairc Esler, Newry they overcoming the challenge
of Rostrevor on a scoreline of 2-14 to 0-9.
The 'Bridge side playing a brand of power football that
has been their hallmark in recent times brushed aside the
challenge of Rostrevor with comparative ease, and in the
end they were convincing winners by an 11 points margin.
This was a fine performance by the champions, right from
the off as they outplayed a Rostrevor side who on the day
just didn't do themselves justice. The challengers were
beaten in most key sectors of the field, especially at midfield
where Brendan Coulter - who received the 'man of the match'
award and Eoghan Woods ruled the roost for most of the hour.
Coulter was injured late in the game and moved into the
attack, but his replacement regular full-back Brendan Grant
continued to be just as effective. It was the Mayobridge
full-forward line of Ronan Sexton , veteran Mickey Linden
and Robbie Coulter that really caused the damage to Rostrevor's
hopes on this occasion. Over the hour this trio amassed
a total of 2-8 with the brilliant Linden giving his marker,
Rostrevor's full-back Finbar Caulfield a torrid time.
Others to play well in the winners side included defenders
Brendan Grant, Francie Poland and Shane McMahon, but on
the day it was a good team performance from the winners
who always looked in control right from the start of the
game. Mayobridge started the game at a fast pace, and by
the end of the opening quarter they led by seven points
to two. A Robbie Coulter goal for Mayobridge before the
half-time break saw the reigning champions well in command
at the interval leading by 1-9 to 0-3.
The opening minutes of the second-half saw Rostrevor come
more into the game, and after ten minutes play the sides
had exchanged two points apiece and the large crowd were
looking forward to a keenly fought half. However, Mayobridge
sensed the game was going away from them, and they increased
the tempo of their play.
Points by Ronan Sexton, Robbie Coulter and John Quinn put
them back in control, and when Ronan Sexton cut through
the Rostrevor defence for his side second goal the senior
title was on its way back to Mayobridge. Rostrevor battled
to the end, and put a more respectable look on the scoreboard
with two points from Lloyd Parr and Conlon Daly, but in
the end it was too little too late for the Rostrevor side
on this occasion.
Mayobridge - S. Featherstone; G. Barry, Brendan Grant, S.
McMahon; K. O'Hare, F. Coulter (capt.), D. Rooney; Eoghan
Woods, B. Coulter 0-2; A. Barry, M. Walsh 0-1,J. Quinn 0-2;
Ronan Sexton 1-2, Mickey Linden 0-3, Robbie Coulter 1-3.
Subs: M. Barry for K. O'Hare; N. Sexton for Eoghan Woods.
Rostevor - C. Sloan; K. McGrath, Finbar Caulfield, J. Farrell;
E. Magee, S. Farrell, G. Farrell; C. Daly 0-1, J. Austin
(capt.); John Fegan 0-1, B. Tinnelly, D. Mackin 0-1; A.
Cole 0-3, M. Cole, L. Parr 0-3. Subs: M. Sherry for D. Mackin;
S. Caulfield for B. Tinnelly; N. Farrell for S. Farrell.
Referee: C. Broderick from Clann na Banna.
Site
was Created and Designed by Diarmuid Cahill
© DOWNGAA.NET
|