Clonduff got the job done as expected in their Down SFC opener tonight, easing past Bredagh on a scoreline of 1-14 2-06.
Bredagh, intermediate winners in 2016, were relegated to Division 2 of the league after a dismal campaign this summer, but their opponents were hardly full of confidence either, having lost half of their last 12 fixtures prior to tonight's encounter.
A tricky and tactical opening saw the 2000 champions behind by a solitary score at the break, as the underdogs looked capable of springing a surprise.
Things quickly unravelled in the latter period however, as Adrian Cush and James Slater's charges began to seize the initiative. A helter kelter third quarter saw the sides trade goals, but Clonduff had managed an eight point swing in that time to sit comfortably clear.
A strong final quarter from Bredagh saw them rattle a second goal, but they now face Round 2B of the SFC, where defeat would eliminate them from the competition and consign them to the relegation play-offs.
Clonduff advance to the more negotiable Round 2A, aiming to build on a penalty shootout defeat to Kilcoo last year.
