CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT BY KIERAN MCNALLY
PARADOR LODGE DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND THREE
RAMPANT REDS EASE INTO QUARTERS
ROSTREVOR 3-16 – 0-05 DRUMGATH
at St. Patrick’s Park, Mayobridge
Rostrevor steamrolled their way through to the quarter finals of the intermediate championship with a much improved performance against Drumgath at balmy Mayobridge on Sunday afternoon. The Reds were bolstered by the return of the powerful Darren McElhinney and James Rice at midfield with Conor Fegan and Conor Doyle; in his first championship outing of the campaign, spearheading the attack and it was clear from the outset that they were intent on making a statement in this year’s competition. Drumgath’s penalty drama against Clann na Banna was greeted with maroon marvel last weekend; but Barnmeen beleaguerement was the order of the day on a chastening afternoon for Peter Hynes’ men, as they make their way to the exit. It was not ideal for both sides to be drawn against each other following their meeting a fortnight ago; and whilst Rostrevor remained favourites to progress, the one-sided nature of their victory will have sounded out a bit of a warning in response to their Shamrocks setback last week.
Confidence and momentum are two of the most impactful forces in any sport and on one side there was Rostrevor playing with an ever-increasing supply of both, as their counterparts visibly wilted after a competitive start. The experienced Shaun Parr was first off the mark; pun not intended, in the second minute with Cathal Tumelty equalising on the turn shortly after, but that Drumgath resistence was shortlived. Both sides traded wides in a cagey opening before Rostrevor gained the ascendancy. Tomas Gordon fisted over to give the Reds a lead that they would always maintain, with two scores from the returning Doyle sending the Reds into a three-point lead by the heat-induced water break midway through the first half; 0-4 to 0-1.
McElhinney and Rice dominated in the Rostrevor midfield and that platform allowed the Reds to remain on top, as Ardghal McMahon pointed before a unfortunate sucker punch floored Drumgath in the 23rd minute. Patrick Magee engineered a bit of space to fire a dropping effort towards the posts; but with the ball dipping below the crossbar, Calvin Parsons misjudged the flight and Rostrevor had themselves a rather fortuitous goal and a most healthy buffer on the scoreboard. Peter Magee added a score following a Conor Doyle delivery before Parsons reacted splendidly to deny Conor Fegan a second Rostrevor goal. Cathal Tumelty responded with a point to stem the flow, but another score from Doyle moved Rostrevor into an eight-point interval lead.
HALF TIME – ROSTREVOR 1-07 – 0-02 DRUMGATH
Indeed, Rostrevor were in quite a similar position in their opening round contest with Drumgath providing a stern test thereafter, but there were no such issues on this occasion. Conor Fegan drilled over a free before Eoin Murdock did well to work the ball to Paddy Magee; with the latter’s dropping ball being fisted to the net by Ardghal McMahon on 34 minutes. That was really it, as far as the game was concerned. James Rice sent over a curling point with an excellent move finishing up with Conor Doyle firing over his fourth point of the afternoon. Gary O’Reilly provided brief respite with a score, but it was to get worse for the Barnmeen men in the 43rd minute with Ardghal McMahon reacting quickly to palm his second goal after Shaun Parr’s lofty effort dropped off the post.
Patrick Magee tagged on a good score with Eoghan Devlin adding another before the second water-break arrived with Rostrevor with an eighteen-point advantage; 3-12 to 0-03. Magee tapped over from close range to extend the lead with a brace of frees from Colm McComish delivering little more than a consolation as the Rostrevor rout concluded with three further scores. James Donaghy, Ardghal McMahon and Conor Fegan were all on target, as Rostrevor progressed to a third intermediate quarter-final, in their third engagement at this level with a more established history at senior level. Following their success in 2017 and defeat in last year’s decider, Rostrevor’s tag among the favourites is merited, but there is no doubt that this is the toughest such competition that the Reds have found themselves in during their exploits at this tier. With perennial contenders Liatroim Fontenoys juggling their dual players well at present, and Newry Shamrocks having gained a morale-boosting victory over a slightly undercooked Rostrevor in round two, they also will fancy their chances. An Riocht are also moving well; having gained promotion from division three and accounted for their league champions St. John’s in the second round. It is worth noting that St. John’s will also have their own intentions in the latter stages with Andrew Gilmore leading their attack. Mourne outfit Ballymartin have also looked impressive in the opening rounds of the championship. Any road to the final will be full of peril, but Rostrevor will always have a chance with the talent in their squad.
ROSTREVOR SCORERS; Ardghal McMahon (2-2), Patrick Magee (1-2), Conor Doyle (0-4 1f), Conor Fegan (0-2), Peter Magee, Shaun Parr, Tomas Gordon, James Donaghy, James Rice and Eoghan Devlin (0-1 each).
DRUMGATH SCORERS; Colm McComish (0-2 2f), Cathal Tumelty (0-2), Gary O’Reilly (0-1)
PHOTO: Rostrevor’s Finn Murdock in action during a home league win over Drumgath earlier this season. Louis McNally
DOWN MEMORY LANE : Having spent most of their respective existences operating at different levels, senior meetings between Rostrevor and Drumgath have been few and very far between over the years. In fact, their only meeting (before this year) since the turn of the century was an intermediate championship quarter-final in 2017 which the Reds won comfortably at Pairc Esler. It is perhaps novel; therefore, that the sides met four times this season alone; across league and championship. Rostrevor claimed the victory in all four meetings – but with the sporadic nature of their history together, one has to wonder when (if) they will ever meet again…
