Bredagh travelled the short distance on Friday evening to Carryduff to play their first division two league game of 2017. The match was played on the smaller lower pitch as Pairc Aodha Dhuibh is being re-developed. A large crowd was in attendance to witness a highly competitive game which saw Carrryduff hold on to their two point lead despite a late rally from the Intermediate Champions.
Bredagh initiated proceedings with points within the first 5 minutes from Joe Shields and Donal Hughes (Free), Carryduff’s James Guinness equalised on the 9th minute and Kevin Dornan added another point for the Harps. A terrific long ball into corner forward Michael McGrath opened up the Bredagh defence and McGrath finished with aplomb past Odhran Devlin to put Carryduff a point up (1-01 to 0-03). Donal Hughes levelled matters in the 12th minute and Emmett Costello and Alan Davidson added further points for Bredagh before a point from Ronan Beatty (free) and James Guinness levelled matters (1-03 to 0-06). Alan Davidson added another point from play, Carryduff scored two further frees from Ronan Beatty and James Guinness, before Donal Hughes tapped over a free in the 27th minute (1-5 to 0-8). James Guinness scored the final two points of the half in the 28th and 29th minute (one free) to leave Carryduff with a two point lead at the interval (1-07 to 0-08)
In the 1st minute of the second half Alan Davidson was black carded for an alleged body check on Joe McFlynn. Davidson was replaced by Bryan Rice, McFlynn went on to score the home side’s first point of the second half. Bredagh responded with a Donal Hughes free in the 32nd minute and another free 2 minutes later to leave just a point in it (1-08 to 0-10). Cormac Hughes covering at full back for the absent Declan O’Hara, did a decent job on keeping danger man McGonigle quiet. Hughes went on a run up the centre of the field and his intended hand pass was cut out by hardworking Carryduff midfield who quickly sent the ball into the full forward line, Ronan Beatty got on the end of the move and dispatched the ball into the Bredagh net to open up a four point gap (2-08 to 0-10). Donal Hughes scored his sixth point of the game with a free kick in the 44th minute and Joe Shields scored his second point of the match two minutes later to leave two points in it. Kealan Devlin reduced the arrears to the minimum with a fine point in the 48th minute and Conor Francis made it all square in the 50th Minute (2-08 to 0-14).
Joe McFlynn scored the final two points of the game for Carryduff despite a frantic final few minutes of the game when Conor Francis saw a glorious effort come off the post and at the very death, Joe Shields rose highest to fist the ball against the crossbar. Ciaran Mooney blew the final whistle and cue mass celebrations from the home team and support.
Carryduff fully deserved their victory and Bredagh has lots to build on for the games ahead
Parador Man of the Match: Michael Robinson.
Bredagh Team; O Devlin; C Tolland; C Hughes; M Magee; C Francis; K Dornan; N Kelly; J Shields; B Hasson; M Robinson; K Devlin; E Costello; N Mullholland; D Hughes; A Davidson (Subs; B Rice for A Davdson (Black card) C Savage for K Devlin; D McKegney; S Blaney; M Woods; C O’Rawe; Fergal Nolan; Nicky McCafferty).
Bredagh scorers – D Hughes 0-6 (4 frees); A Davidson 0-2; J Shields 0-2; E Costello 0-1; K Doran 0-1; K Devlin 0-1; C Francis 0-1.
Carryduff scorers – R Beatty 1-2 (2 frees) J McGuinness 0-5 (2 frees); M McGrath 1-0; J McFlynn 0-3
