Down SFC Final: Kilcoo win again

Down SFC Final

Kilcoo 1-17 Carryduff 1-11

By Steve Malone at Páirc Esler

Kilcoo entered the history books by becoming the first Down team to win seven county titles in a row with an emphatic win over rivals Carryduff.

After an interesting first half tussle, the second half belonged to Kilcoo as they shifted up the gears and stellar players such as Aaron Branagan and Paul Devlin delivered the goods as the Magpies cantered over the finish line.

Carryduff, you could argue, were architects of their own downfall with 11 wides and three dropping short, but you have to credit Martin Corey’s Magpies for their impressive display.

Paul Devlin’s converted penalty on 22 minutes put Kilcoo in the driving seat at half-time.

It was a fascinating contest between the Down kingpins and the new kids on the block but Carryduff lacked conviction in front of the posts and too many efforts dropped short or went wide in the opening half.

This of course simply increased the scent of blood from the Magpies and they truly obliged by picking off some classy points.

Played in Newry’s Pairc Esler, the yellow-coded weather warning with the deluge of rain meant the game was moved from the original throw-in time of 3pm to 5pm and the game wasn’t even 10 minutes old and Kilcoo were three ahead.

Daryll Branagan, Anthony Morgan and Aaron Branagan got Martin Corey’s men up and running before Carryduff replied with James and Daniel Guinness on target and the latter sent alarm bells ringing as he powered through the Kilcoo rearguard.

It was entertaining, probing and breaking game-lines and Ryan Johnston almost netted with his looping flick over Carryduff 'keeper Ronan Lavery, but Odhran Sherry cleared off his line. Still, it was a warning for the Duff.

Pearse McCabe levelled the score with 19 minutes gone and his side should have went ahead, but weak efforts dropped short and at the other end Owen McCabe was penalised for what the referee indicated was a throw-ball, in another Kilcoo volley-ball type attack and Devlin converted from the spot.

Carryduff responded with a stunning two-pointer from James Guinness. However, Shelan Johnston tagged on a point and then keeper Niall Kane slotted over a two-point lead to put Kilcoo four points to the good at the break, 1-6 to 0-5.

The second half was all Kilcoo as they turned on the magic with elder statesmen Paul Devlin and Aaron Branagan sending over delicious points to put the Magpies in a commanding nine-point lead.

Devlin, Branagan, Jerome Johnston, brother Ryan and Daryll Branagan kept their scoreboard rocking with a strong third quarter from Kilcoo as they stamped their authority on the game. Carryduff replied with an Eoin Donnelly goal on 52 minutes, followed by a magnificent two-pointe from John McGeough, but that only reduced the gap to four points.

Kilcoo used all their experience, including the introduction of Down boss Conor Laverty from the bench, to see the game out and points from young Sean Og McCusker and Ryan Johnston gave the indication that there is much more to come from this side as Ulster awaits.

Kilcoo will play the winners of Loughmacrory and Trillick in Omagh in the opening round of the Ulster Championship next month.

Kilcoo: Niall Kane (0-2, 1tpf), Aaron Branagan (0-3), Ryan McEvoy, Niall Branagan, Miceal Rooney, Darryl Branagan (0-2), Callum Rogers, Aaron Morgan, Anthony Morgan (0-1), Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Johnston (0-2), Shealan Johnston (0-1), Paul Devlin (1-3, 1-0 pen), Eugene Branagan, Jerome Johnston (0-2).

Subs: Jack Devlin for E Branagan (35’), Sean Og McCusker (0-1) for J Johnston (51’), Barra McEvoy for M Rooney (57’) Conor Laverty for P Devlin (59’), Christopher Rooney for S Johnston (60’).

Carryduff: Ronan Lavery, Lorcan Toal, Conor Cassidy, Odhran Sherry (0-1), Michael McGrath (0-1), Daniel Guinness (0-1), Pearse McCabe (0-1), Eoin Donnelly (1-0), Tom McCarroll, Gareth Henderson, James Guinness (0-3, 1tp), Owen McCabe, Joe Tunney, Ronan Beatty, John McGeough (0-3, 1tpf).

Subs: Cian Clint for Tunney (38’), Joe McFlynn (0-1) for McCabe (44’), Liam Blaney for McGrath (49).

Referee: Colm Gribben (Glasdrumman).