Mayobridge played well in the first half but the RGU came back stronger in the second half to win
Down GAA,
Senior Men’s Gaelic Football Division 1,
Venue, Pairc Tómas Ruséil, Friday 17th April 2026,
Final Score: RGU Downpatrick 0-18 3-7 Mayobridge.
Downpatrick RGU made a great recovery after faltering in the first half as for the largest part, Mayobridge were pressing the RGU hard and opened with an early point in play by Jamie Barr passing to Danny Cunningham who scored again a short time after writes Jim Masson.
Then Patrick Woods added a goal to the scoreboard as he hit low ball from the right. Mayobridge were leading 0-0 to 1-02. The RGU hadn’t focussed their game yet and were still scoreless at this point and tring to cope with the Mayobridge quick attacks.
Jarleth Brannigan made a great cross to Conor McGrady who lost the ball under pressure from defenders.
But on 12 minutes tempers overflowed and there was a scuffle between two opposing players and the Mayobridge goalkeeper too got involved. It was early season and both teams were keen to collect the points so the rivalry was sharp.
The RGU won a free and Anthony Doherty claimed a 2-pointer to help redress the balance. Then Matty Hardy pressed forward and another point was taken by the RGU.
View Match Photos on Down News Facebook
Doherty then crossed a free kick to Hardy who caught well but was overrun by defenders. On 21 minutes Mayobridge got possession again and pressed forward. But the RGU moved back quickly towards the Mayobridge goal and Gerdie Collins was fouled and Brannigan pointed from the free.
But Mayobridge broke quickly and forward Corey Clekin took a goal for his side on 28 minutes. But the RGU’s Doherty replied with a 2-pointer.
Just before the whistle for half time, Mayobridge’s Ronan Murphy hit wide from around 25 yards’.
The half-time score was RGU 0-6 to 2-5 in Mayobridge’s favour. They had had a wind advantage which was significant.
As the second half had just commenced, the RGU came out fighting and captain Jarlath Brannigan received the ball and made a run towards the Mayobridge goal chased by a defender. He received a free for his efforts and pointed.
Minutes later, Brannigan was sent off when the referee blew his whistle for a foul as Brannigan was deemed to have used his elbow striking a defender which Brannigan disputed and he was red-carded.
Despite this loss, the RGU kept their discipline and came out again determined to claw the points back and Niall Morrison and Tom McNell almost scored close-in but lost possession and a short time later McNeiil managed to take another point.
But that point was cancelled out by a run from Mayobridge claiming another point and sitting at 0-7 to 2-06. The RGU had a lot of work to do to rectify the situation as they slipped behind.
View Match Photos on Down News Facebook
Then the magic happened, and the tables turned on Mayobridge. Tom Smith found space to run with the ball and fired a fizzler between the Mayobridge posts just at a time when the visitors had slowed down in their attacks on the RGU. Then MCNeill made a good catch on a kick-out and marked the ball. Doherty clipped the ball to Johnnie Bell who secured another point.
The Mayobridge goalkeeper had come out of his area to support the forwards but the Hoops pressed back and on 20 minutes McGrady pointed from a free kick on the 16yard line. Then the game was tied as Brian Grant took a point for Mayobridge and tied the game at 0-12 to 2-16.
Then the RGU’s advantage, the Mayobridge goalkeeper was penalised for taking his time with a clearance kick and a kick from Conor McGrady put the RGU clearly into the lead. Hopes were now high for a win for the RGU but both teams shared a point apiece.
Then McGrady kicked the RGU into the lead once more and Johhnie Bell hit a golden moment as he took a couple of points to nudge the Hoops forward.
The RGU defence had played well in the second half closing out the Mayobridge attacks. But the visitors made one final point, but they were not completely finished yet.
On a break, Mayobridge scored a goal as Danny Cunningham rocketed the ball past keeper Peter Carberry after a great run.
Just when it seemed as though the Hoops were going to pipped at the post in the closing miniuutes, Gerdie Collins broke forward and took a two-pointer to equalise again.
And this was followed by another long two pointer by Anthony Doherty to give the Hoops a clear 2-point win over Mayobridge in an electric finish which shocked Mayobridge.
That made it 2 wins out of 2 for the Hoops but next week will be a huge test as they face the formidable Kilcoo team and they will have to be rested up early in bed on a Thursday night for that tough match.!!!
The RGU enjoyed a 2-point win over Mayobridge but they could have scored sharper and taken the pressure off themselves a little. Every kick against will Kilcoo will need to count.
View Match Photos on Down News Facebook
The starters:
RGU Downpatrick: 1 Peter Carberry (GoalKeeper) 19 John Shields 3 Ronan Murphy 4 Damien Branniff 5 Sean Bell 6 Anthony Doherty 7 Niall Morrison 8 Damien Turley 9 Matty Hardy 10 Tom Smyth 11 Johnnie Bell 12 Tom McNeill 13 Gerdie Collins 14 Conor McGrady 15 Jarleth Brannigan (C).
Mayobridge: 1 Ci Barr Goal Keeper) 2 Daniel McMahon 3 Seamus McManus 4 Daniel Bannon 5 Liam McManus 6 Thomas Hardy 7 Patrick Woods 8 Conor Colhoun 9 James Barr 10 Daniel Barr 11 Caolan Gallagher 12 Brian Grant 13 Danny Cunningham 14 Daire O’Keefe 15 Corey Clerkin.
