Cumann Pheadair Naofa senior footballers emerged victorious over a resilient RGU Downpatrick side on a scoreline of CPN 3-8, RGU 3-7 on Monday 8th August. As the scoreline suggests, the game was a tight and cagey affair, however, it was undoubtedly played in a sporting manner in the backdrop of a blustery Clonduff field.
Downpatrick struck early with a long, hopeful ball finding the arms of Ryan Slevin who swivelled and found the top right corner with a powerful shot. The Blues hit back moments later when Ruairi Cowan fired a long, high ball goalwards only for it to bounce fortunously over the bar, aided by the prevailing wind. Ross McGarry landed a place kick before striking a major with a low drive from twenty-one yards out to leave the Blues leading by two points. Niall McGovern displayed silky, summer skills when he pointed from play. Minutes later, McGovern added to his tally when he curled a free over the bar from an acute angle on the right-hand side of the field. There was a late twist in the first half, when Downpatrick found the net but the goal was disallowed for a square ball. The Seasiders headed for the changing rooms leading 1-04 to 1-00, with the scoreline representing their dominance in the second quarter.
RGU mirrored their first half start when Ruairi Quinn latched onto a loose ball and fired past a helpless Gary McMahon in goal to reduce the margin to one. Anthony Doherty scored a 45’ to square the match. Niall McGovern pointed from a dead ball for the blues before Downpatrick reeled off two unanswered scores to hit the front by the narrowest of margins. Niall McGovern’s clever positioning was rewarded when a breaking ball fell into his arms and he duly fired into the upper echelons of the net. The Blues lead was halved to a slender one point lead when Downpatrick pointed from a free, however, Conor Clarke took advantage of another long ball to finish to the Downpatrick net to give the Point a four point advantage. Downpatrick replied with a point before Ross McGarry added another point to his tally of 1-2 at the second time of asking after he saw his first effort cannon off the upright to restore Warrenpoint’s four point cushion. Johnny Murchan landed two impressive scores either side of a Downpatrick point giving the Blues a five-point lead entering the final minutes. RGU found a score to keep them in touch with mere minutes remaining on the clock. Downpatrick man Johnnie Bell seized the initiative when he gathered the ball from the crowd, fashioned a goal chance and drove the ball into the back of the blues net. A couple of tense minutes ensued before the referee called time on an exciting encounter.
Warrenpoint can be heartened by strong performances from Sean Gallagher and Ryan McAleenan at the back as well as confident attacking displays from Niall McGovern, Johnny Murchan and Ross McGarry. The Blues will be delighted to book their spot in the last eight of the Down GAA Morgan Fuels Senior Football Championship and await confirmation of their opponents. Next up for CPN is an away trip to Mayobridge on Friday 19th August in the O’Neills All County Football League Division 1.
