Down SFC quarter-final: Clonduff 3-11 Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint (0-20) (aet) – Warren point win 4-2 on penalties
WARRENPOINT staged comeback after comeback to eventually overcome Clonduff in a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling Down SFC quarter-final went to extra time.
Wing-back Ryan Magee, who might have won the match in the closing moments of normal time, did so in the end by netting his side's fifth spot-kick. Their first, from Donagh McAleenan, had been saved by Neil Trainor, but CPN goalkeeper Gary McMahon then kept out efforts from Barry O'Hagan and young Aaron Devlin to set up this triumph for the Blues.
Last year's losing finalists had looked like they were going to go no further than the last eight after Clonduff seemed to have secured victory by rattling in three first half goals through their inside-forward trio of Barry O'Hagan, Stephen McConville, and Arthur McConville.
However, the Blues staged a remarkable recovery to force extra time, their constant attacking earning its reward, as Clonduff tried to contain them to no avail.
Warrenpoint had to start without their star defender John Boyle due to a calf injury – and his absence was evident in the first half, but came on and seemed to have struck the winning point in the 80th minute, only for Arthur McConville to equalise with a superb score to send it to spot-kicks.
This was a game of attack versus counter-attack. Warrenpoint were committing to an extremely high press, with all but their goalkeeper and full-back inside the Clonduff '65' – and although that approach paid early dividends it soon cost them.
The Yellas broke through for their opening score, Barry O'Hagan bursting forward and exchanging hand-passes with Rian Branagan before palming the ball to the net.
Two minutes later they had a second goal – Arthur McConville was the somewhat unlikely provider, launching a high ball from the right wing, and although Tom Close could not gather possession the defender's attempted clearance broke to Stephen McConville who fairly lashed a rocket shot past McMahon.
Ross McGarry lifted Blue hopes with a neat point but Clonduff captain Darren O'Hagan broke for a score to leave them 2-1 to 0-4 ahead at the first water break.
Yet another forward foray from CPN number seven Ryan Magee set up a score for Ruairi McCormack but the Blues were then rocked by another goal, with more fortune favouring Clonduff. Barry O'Hagan's effort from the left wing was dropping short, but Arthur McConville did what he does and nipped into the fist the ball past McMahon.
Leading by 3-4 to 0-8 at half-time, Clonduff stretched their lead to six at the start of the second half – but Warrenpoint dominated after that, reeling off five of the next six scores.
McGarry was to the fore, mostly from frees, as the Blues repeatedly ran at the packed Yella rearguard.
Some wayward shooting from the Hilltown men also contributed to their cushion was slowly unravelling.
The introduction of John Boyle, who swept in defence, helped the 'Point, although Clonduff also sat back on their lead. Indeed their only score after the 37th minute came from wing-back Paddy Branagan, 15 minutes later.
That put a goal between the teams, and although Warrenpoint didn't threaten to find the net until almost the end, they did keep picking off points, bringing the gap down to the minimum margin.
The Blues could, probably should, have won it late on, when their skipper Ryan Boyle intercepted to launch Ryan Magee on a counter – the wing-back raced right through the retreating defence but his low shot came back out off goalkeeper Neil Trainor's legs.
Even after a McGarry free levelled matters they had two good opportunities to take the lead but – astonishingly - McGarry sent a free wide, then substitute Eoghan Byrne sliced wildly when well-placed.
Warrenpoint edged ahead in the first period of extra time, 0-18 to 3-8, with scores from Cormac McCartan and Donagh McAleenan, but a Barry O'Hagan free early in the second period made it all square again – and another one from the same player put the Yellas back in front.
The tension was incredible in the closing stages and although Warrenpoint appeared to have turned it around for victory through a Jamie Grant mark and John Boyle's score, they were pegged back at the last by big Arthur – only for the Blues to prevail in the shoot-out.
Clonduff: N Trainor; L Branagan, B Britton, R Lively; D O'Hagan (capt.) (0-1), R Branagan, P Branagan (0-2); T Close, R Carr; C Carr, A Carr, P Lively; S McConville (1-1), A McConville (1-3, 0-1 mark), B O'Hagan (1-3, 0-2 frees).
Substitutes: M McPolin for L Branagan (48); P Clancy for R Branagan (53); E Brown for S McConville (55); J Gribben (0-1) for P Lively (66, added time.); A Devlin for Brown (82, extra time).
Warrenpoint: G McMahon; R McAleenan, P Murdock, A Lynch; R Boyle (capt.); R Mallon, R Magee (0-1); Cormac McCartan (0-1), Ciaran McCartan (0-1); R McCormack (0-2); A Davidson, N McCartan; A Magee (0-1), R McGarry (0-9, 0-7 frees), D McAleenan (0-3).
Substitutes: E Byrne for N McCartan (42); J Boyle (0-1) for Davidson (43); J Grant (0-1, mark) for A Magee (45); C McLoughlin for Mallon (68, extra time);
Referee: Gavin Finnegan (An Riocht).
