A FIRST round victory for one of the leading contenders to dethrone champs Kilcoo, against a side that had struggled in the league, might seem routine.
However, Carryduff's Daniel Guinness insisted that they had several reasons to be happy with their win over Bryansford at RGU Downpatrick on Sunday evening:
"Any time you get a win in the first round you'll take it – we haven't done that for a few years, we've lost the first round and had to go through 'the back door'…Going by the back door you know it's last chance saloon from there on. We'll see who we get and take it from there.
"Getting a win in the first round puts you in a good position, gets you momentum for the rest of the championship. Obviously there are a lot of things to work on, a lot of sloppiness here and there, but we'll get back to training this week and iron those [problems] out."
The powerful centre half-back was also glad to overcome their opponents from Newcastle having lost to them recently:
"We knew Bryansford were a good team, beat us two weeks ago in the league. We got off to a slow start that day and then you're always playing 'catch-up' in the game. We knew we had to get off to a strong start. Taking a three-point lead in at half-time definitely put us in a good position for the second half."
Carryduff extended their advantage to 0-8 to 0-3 but then Bryansford rallied, with three points in a row, before they had David McKibbin sent off and the 'Duff got going to run out comfortable winners, 1-12 to 0-6.
"That sort of sparked it into life, that 'Championship quarter' that people talk about, after half-time, that third quarter," acknowledged Guinness.
"We knew exactly what was coming out when we left the changing rooms, we knew we were going to get a barrage from Bryansford. They brought it, to be fair to them, and we're glad we came through it in the end."
Carryduff netted only once, through corner-forward Joe Tunney Jr in the 50th minute, but could have scored several more goals but for a combination of their own poor finishing and good goalkeeping from teenager Jack McLaughlin.
Guinness knows that his side's goal-taking, or missing, is the major problem they must address ahead of round 2A: "Exactly. Going forward, if you get three or four [goal] chances in a championship game, you're going to have to start taking them. But, look, at least we're creating them; if we're not creating them it'd be more worrying for us.
"A clean sheet at the other end is also huge for us. Any time you don't concede a goal in a championship game you're always going to have a good shot at it.."
Indeed Carryduff conceded three goals in their first round exit against RGU Downpatrick last year, and four in a thrashing by Clonduff in 2020, although they recovered to reach the final that season, and were only ousted in last year's quarter-final after extra time.
On both occasions Kilcoo were their conquerors, so Carryduff are entitled to see themselves as strong challengers for their Down crown.
With former Maghery manager – and ex-Armagh defender – Finnian Moriarty now in charge, Carryduff were constantly lauded for their good defensive shape from the sideline by a coach, and Bryansford rarely threatened their goal.
Another good run will help Guinness and his clubmates impress new Down manager Conor Laverty – still playing with Kilcoo.
Guinness is keen to do better with his county, but for now his focus is on the club scene:
"Obviously for the next six, eight, 10 weeks, however long we're with the club, that's the priority – and then we'll take it from there after.
"Everyone knows it was a disappointing year for us. [Down]. After this we'll get back to work over the winter and take it from there.."
