11 September 2006

 

Reigning champions, Mayobridge have reached their sixth successive Down SFC final when they defeated a gallant Kilcoo side in Clonduff Park, Hilltown on Sunday 10th September on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-9.

This was undoubtedly the best game of this season’s senior football championship, with the Mayobridge side displaying all their guile and experience to hold out for a one point win in the end.

The sides were evenly matched in the opening half and it took a late John Quinn point in the last minute of the half to see his Mayobridge side go in at the break ahead by 0-8 to 1-4.

Two early second-half points for the challengers saw them take the lead. However, Mayobridge didn’t panic and by the 10th minute they were on level terms. They then upped their play from this stage onwards, although two late points from the Kilcoo side reduced the leeway to a single point they had enough experience to hold out for a narrow one point win.

The Mayobridge side are back in the county final once again hoping to continue their dominance, and they can expect a tough challenge from the James McCartan Burren side who won the second semi-final defeating Conduff by a one goal margin 1-11 to 0-11.

Mayobridge – Sean Featherstone; G. Barry, K. O’Hare, M. Lively; B. Rooney, B. Grant, D. Tighe 0-1; E. Woods, C. Magee 0-1; N. Sexton 0-2, Benny Coulter 0-2, Ronan Sexton 0-2; J. Quinn 0-4, Michael Walsh 0-1, A. Barry.
Subs – D. Rooney for C. Magee; S. Grant for N. Sexton.

Kilcoo – E. Devlin; N. McEvoy, B. O’Hanlon, G. McEvoy; S. O’Hanlon, R. Morgan, A. Brannigan 0-1; P. McGreevy, M. McClean; D. Grant 0-2, D. McEvoy 0-1, C. Morgan; D. Kane 0-1, A. Devlin 1-1, S. Kelly 0-1.
Subs – C. Laverty 0-1 for D. McEvoy; P. Devlin 0-1 for C. Morgan; C. McClean for D. Grant.

Referee – C. Reynolds from Downpatrick.