By John Campbell, Belfast Telegraph
Mayobridge ace Benny Coulter will bring his
thirst for goals into play in Sunday’s
Down senior football championship decider
against Loughinisland at Parc Esler, Newry
where his side will seek title No 5 on the
trot
GARETH ‘Magic’ Johnston has been
part of the fabric of the Down hurling side
for several years now. But the 6’ 5”
forward is currently gracing a different stage.
As full-forward in the Loughinisland team
that will bid for their first Down title when
they meet perennial champions Mayobridge at
Pairc Esler, Newry on Sunday (4.00), ‘Magic’
will carry a huge burden of responsibility.
In essence, this will centre on his ability
to convert what he hopes will prove bountiful
possession from Dan Gordon in particular at
midfield into vital scores.
Doing their best to prevent this happening
will be a Mayobridge defence in which Conor
Garvey is making a name for himself at full-back
and in which Gavin Barry is still one of the
best man-markers in the business.
If Loughinisland are the new kids on the
block in terms of final appearances, Mayobridge
are on very familiar ground.
They are now in their ninth final on the
bounce, have won five in a row and make no
secret of their desire to go on and win the
Ulster Club Championship.
They were without Michael Walsh in the semi-final
and played Brendan Grant at wing-back but
still won with something to spare.
The Sextons, Ronan and Noel, along with the
ageless Benny Coulter strutted their stuff
in style.
In Eoghan Woods and John Caldwell, Mayobridge
boast a hard-working midfield whose brief
will be to curb Dan Gordon’s anticipated
influence on the game. The Down captain’s
form this year has been impressive even if
his county side did not enjoy a rub of the
green when they needed it.
On Sunday, he has a huge incentive to help
thrust Loughinisland up among the elite of
Ulster clubs and he may even succeed in this
respect if the half-back line of Cormac O’Toole,
Joe Doran and John Turley replicate they form
they showed against Burren and if Johnston
gets adequate support up front.
Loughinisland will not quake, either, should
Mayobridge launch a full-frontal assault as
Alan Molloy is still producing the form that
kept him in the Down side for so long.
Now stationed in front of his full-back line,
Molloy’s experience is being deployed
successfully.
Mayobridge have tended to prosper in the
closing stages of their three championship
matches to date and should Loughinisland remain
on their shoulder entering the final phase
on Sunday, the challengers may have cause
for concern.
That’s perhaps when, most of all, they
will need Magic Johnston to stand tall.
