Downpatrick RGU get foot on the ladder in top flight Division One
Down GAA Division One,
Venue: Páirc Tomás Ruséil, on Friday 25th April 2025,
Final Score: Downpatrick RGU 1-19 Loughinisland GAC 1-16.
It was a dark and damp evening at Páirc Tomás Ruséil in Downpatrick as the RGU faced Loughinisland at the start of their season after being promoted to Division One. The RGU had had three defeats and one win compared to Loughinisland’s 2 wins and 2 defeats so this win will be a major boost to the RGU.
Loughinisland started off attacking well and were two points up when on 7 minutes John Shields blasted the ball into the Loughinisland net for a goal.
(Photos: Jim Masson/DownNews).
The visitors press forward trying to close the gap and Stefan Mason stretched the score to 5 points but Downpatrick made a quick break and Oran Cunningham hit the Loughinisland crossbar just missing out on a dramatic goal.
Loughinisland bounced back and Rory Deegan claimed a point from a run in and kicking over the RGU bar.
The RGU were under pressure for a spell as Louighinisland continued their strong build-ups with James Savage and Jonathan Flynn spreading the ball well from midfield.
Eventually the RGU scored a point when Conor McGrady burst through and sent the ball over between the Loughinisland posts for 2 points.
Oisin Savage tried for a point and hit the RGU bar and Johnny Flynn was there to catch the rebound and quickly knock over for a point followed by another quick point for Loughinisland from Oisin Savage. The visitors were ahead by a clear 3 points.
But Oran Cunningham closed the gap again for the RGU with a double pointer and the match was now on a knife-edge but Loughinisland’s Stefan Mason pulled back another 2 points from a free.
Just before the half-time whistle, Tom McNeil scored a point for the RGU leaving the score at 1-05 to 0-10. The RGU has still a bit of work to do it it was to achieve a win from the jaws of possible defeat.
The RGU came out fired up and Lewis Greene made a rush at the Loughinisland goal and almost scored. The home side had found the focus and energy and were pressing Loughinisland but Rory Mason managed to break and claim a point.
James Savage was playing extra well feeding ball across the pitch supporting the Loughininisland attacks.
Then the turning point of the match came when the RGU sub Ruairi Quinn put the RGU within one point of the leaders Loughinisland and his team smelled blood and pressed on with more determination.
But James Savage managed to get close to the RGU goal and run in and palm the ball over for a point. Then as the RGU fought back, Tom McNeill came into the game more but missed a couple of key kicks under pressure.
Affter another lengthy Loughinisland possession and attack, Gerdie Collins claimed a 2-pointer to close the gap back to a point then Conor McGrady finally scored a point equalising with Loughinisland on 1-10 to 0-13. McGrady followed up with another point as Rory Mason also pointed.
And again McGrady pointed putting the RGU in the lead… just. When they needed a bit of good fortune, the RGU’s Anthony Doherty then launched a strike over the Loughinilsnad posts putting the RGU now 3 points to the better.
The RGU turned the screws and Anthony Doherty took a free from the edge of the circle and collected another 2 points. Loughinisland fought back and a goal by Stefan Mason closed the gap by another point.
The clock was ticking. The RGU’s Tom Smyth secured a vital point for the RGU and quickly Loughinisland came back attacking again and James Deeney made a crucial save as Loughinisland’s Dean McLaughlin hammered the ball at the RGU goal.
Loughinisland retrieved another point but that was cancelled out when John Shields collected a rebound of the Loughinisland post and took another point by hitting his shot deflecting off a defender and over the top bar… they all count.
The match ended with Stefan Mason taking another point and the RGU celebrated their second win of the season in Division one against their neighbours, Loughinisland. It wasa plucky performance by the RGU and there were areas in their performance they could improve on and will do as the season progresses.
Final Score: 1-19 to 1-16.
Starting 15s:
Downparick RGU: 1 James Deeny 2 Con Farr 3 Ronan Murphy 4 Gerdie Collins 5 Donal Milligan 6 Tom Smyth 7 Morgan Fitzpatrick 8 Anthony Doherty 9 Mattie Hardy 10 Conor McGrady 11 Oran Cunningham 12 John Shields.13 Tom McNeil 14 Johnnie Bell 15 Lewis Greene.
Loughinisland GAC: 1 Chris Turley 2 Jack Ferris 3 Patrick Megoran 4 Aidan McLaughlin 5 Sean Cochrane 6 Edward Nixon 7 Gary Stranney 8 Jonathan Flynn 9 Rory Mason 10 Daan McLaughlin 11 James Savage 12 Rory Deegan 13 Stefan Mason 14 John McCarthy 15 Oisin Savage.
