Thursday 6 April saw the new Down football season open for the boys in blue in a packed Moygannon, a game for many neutrals who came along to see the new ‘point’ set-up . Cumann Pheadair Naofa start the season under new manager Niall McAleenan and much anticipation was given around how the 2017 season would go for the point men.
Warrenpoint got off to a fantastic start with scores from Donagh McAleenan and Davy Walker. The Warrenpoint man impressed with the pace of their players and were able to take advantage a moving into a three point lead within the first ten minutes. Bryansford came back with scores from Danny Savage who was on form and capitalising on each opportunity presented itself.
Jamie grand impressed at midfield alongside Owen Henry and the one point men managed to dominate midfield for the majority of the opening half.
Bryansford managed to clawback the scores to bring it level with time nearly up in the first half. A fantastically work score saw the point men go three points ahead with a wonder of volley into the net from Ryan Mallon.
The second half started with the point men pushing ahead to lead by six points with 15 minutes to go however the Bryansford men put the challenge to Warrenpoint and their newly arranged team were able to claw back the deficit to just three points. Bryansford continued to frustrate the one point defence and midfield and tried to secure a goal which would level the match. However in the last minutes of play substitution Ross McGarry received a fantastic pass from Aaron Joe McGee and drilled the ball into the back of the net in true McGarry style to give the point men a six point win.
Cumann Pheadair Naofa 2-11 vs Bryansford 0-11
Fantastic opening game for the Warrenpoint, Niall and his management team will leave which much to praise and lots of work on. The season continues next Friday against a strong RGU Downpatrick team having been newly promoted from Division Two.
