RYAN Trainor’s first half converted penalty proved decisive for Burren as they overcame Loughinisland by 1-11 to 0-11 in Monday’s Down Senior Football Championship.
Played in Clonduff, it was a tough contest between the Division Two and Division One table-toppers.
Burren were three points to the good before Rory Mason (2) and Conor Megoran hit back to level the score.
As expected it was a confident Blues performance and each time Burren took the lead Loughlinisland had an answer. Burren’s Padraig Poland (2) and Rory Mason (2) traded scores, with the Blues taking a brief lead, but Tony McEntee nosed the St Mary’s side ahead before Trainor’s coolly finished spot-kick put four points between the sides.
Burren had the wind in their sails and young guns Liam Kerr and Ronan ‘Gooch’ McGrath waded in with points and while Mason’s steady kicking kept the Blues very much in the hunt it was Burren who led 1-08 to 0-6 at the break.
Mason gave a second half masterclass in finishing with five superb long-range efforts and John McCarthy’s point closed the gap. Burren were under pressure but that converted penalty gave them a cushion and points from Kerr and Poland (free) were enough to secure a win.
Burren face Carryduff in the next round, while Loughinisland will be expected to get past Longstone in the knockout round.
Down SFC winners’ draw:
Carryduff v Burren
Castlewellan v Kilcoo
Warrenpoint v Glenn
Mayobridge v Saval
Back door draw:
Rostrevor v Bryansford
Ballyholland v Clonduff
Longstone v Loughinisland
Downpatrick v An Riocht
