Cumann Pheadair Naofa Senior men returned to action this week to take on a well fancied loughinisland side for the quarter final replay in the Down SFC. Castlewellan GAC hosted the tie and a large crowd from the travelling fans of both teams set the stage for what was anticipated to be a better game than the first game given the weather was vastly improved.
The game began with loughinisland taking advantage of the Warrenpoint side who never really got out of second gear in the opening 10 minutes of play. Alan Davidson opened the scoring for the blues on 5 mins followed by a well executed point by ruairi McCormack. Loughinisland playing like a top division one side, moving the ball well and attacking the Warrenpoint men on the break in style. However the point men keep their cool and the class Alan Davidson again popped over a great score and point marksman John Boyle added to this just on the stroke of half time to leave the Half time score 0:07 to 0:05 to loughinisland.
McAleenan had strong words with his side and a few half time changes saw the ‘super blues’ emerge with pace and this saw Alan Davidson kick a terrific score following moments later by Ross Mcgarry who kicked two scores back to back one from play and one from a free. However Loughinisland were determined to see this game to the line and following a well worked ball, Rory Mason found the net and left the score 1.08 to 0.08 only five minutes into second half. However a ten minute scoring spree saw Ross with two, one free and John Boyle levelled things at the halfway mark, leaving the last 15 minutes a point for point match.
As the game rolled to a close it looked like it was Loughinisland’s as they were one up well into injury time despite scores from Davidson, Aaron Joe and Donagh. However determined to show what he’s made of, McGarry dug deep and scored from an almost impossible, the Point people looked on in disbelief as the ball hung in the air, they jumped from their seats as the white flag was raised and referee Ciaran Branagan called time on this replay, extra time beckoned as it was impossible after two hours of football to separate the two ‘blues.’
The first half of extra time saw the point men up the ante and show exactly why they are no underdogs in Down football. Alan Davidson took two excellent scores, what would be the only score of the half. The second half again started with a point score from Aaron Magee who put three in it, surely McAleenan’s men had a semi final place in their sights now? Well a never say die attitude from Loughinisland saw the agility of sub keeper Frank Aiken put to the test as a tremendous save from him was needed to keep the loughinisland men out.
Branagan brought the game to an end to a elated Warrenpoint crowd and sideline with a final score of Warrenpoint 0.18 Loughinisland 1.12. This win secured the Warrenpoint men their first ever SFC semi final for the club in 32 years. Next up for the blues is Kilcoo in the league next week followed the next weekend vs the same opposition in the down SFC semi final.
