Cumann Pheadair Naofa senior footballers bowed out of the Down Senior Football Championship on Saturday evening last at Pairc Esler when they ran out of steam in the final twenty minutes of their quarter-final game with Castlewellan, with the final score being Castlewellan 0-19 Warrenpoint 2-6.
The opening half was very even, but Castlwellan led by 0-10 to 1-5, due to the ‘Point side missing some excellent scoring chances. Following an opening Castlewellan point, Niall McGovern converted a penalty to level the scores after 37 minutes. However, it was Castlewellan who displayed all their experience and moved up a gear, to win the game comfortably in the end.
On reflection, the team management and players can draw on many positives from the current season. For the first time in over 20 years Cumann Pheadair Naofa retained Down ACL Division 1 status and reached the quarter-finals of the Down SFC. However players and management will also appreciate that to build on recent positive momentum and achievements, a new challenge beckons, but if this current bunch of young players stay together, and demonstate collective commitment, there is no upward limit to where this team can progress.
The current team management and players have been going almost non-stop from January 2014, and over that period significant progress has been made and much enjoyment has been provided. They have earned a good break and hopefully they will come back with their batteries recharged and renewed energy to establish Cumann Pheadair Naofa as a leading force in Down Gaelic Football.
