Downpatrick 2:07
Tullylish 1:14
Tullylish Premier Reserves produced a determined performance to record a well deserved away victory against a strong Downpatrick side.
It was the visitors who took an early lead through a Kevin McKiverghan point following a solo run from midfield. The impressive Ryan McAnerney, who proved to be a thorn in the Downpatrick defence all evening, registered the second score in as many minutes. Connor Arlow took advantage of sloppy defending to register his first and Tullylish’s third score following great build up play from Emmett Scullion and Andy Rooney.
It wasn’t until the tenth minute until ‘the hoops’ registered their first score and added to it a minute later which left the difference to a single point. However this was as close as Downpatrick came to Tullylish as the visitors registered further scores through the industrious Michael McCartan and McAnerney (2).
Sloppy defending in the Tullylish rearguard allowed Downpatrick to avail of a goal chance after 22 mins, which they made no mistake with leaving O’Hare with no chance between ‘the sticks’. To their credit, the Tullylish response was immediate. From the resulting kick-out Corbett won possession and distributed to the lively Connor Arlow who left McAnerney with a glorious chance to register a goal from close range. Tullylish pushed on and recorded three more scores through Arlow, Kevin McCartan and Diarmuid O’Kane which left the half time score:
Downpatrick 1:02 Tullylish 1:09
A much changed Downpatrick team took to the field and to their credit, battled to reduce the deficit to four points following an unanswered rally of 1:02. Corbett and McCartan traded scores with Downpatrick before the impressive John Feeney kicked two inspirational points from distance to relieve the Tullylish defence of Sean McDermott, Philly Grew and Mick McDermott from the constant onslaught from the Downpatrick forwards. This lifted the Tullylish team who kept Downpatrick forwards to a mere point in the closing ten minutes. With two minutes remaining, McAnereny calmly registered another superb score from play which brought his personal tally to 1:05 and a well deserved two points for Kevin Murphy, Eamonn Connolly and Sean Fegan’s side.
Next up for the Premier Reserves is a local derby with table toppers Clann na Banna. Throw in at 2pm on Sun 4th July at Pairc na nÓg.