Down SFC: Carryduff edge out Loughinisland to set up quarter-final with Kilcoo

Down SFC: Carryduff 0-13 Loughinisland 1-9

Carryduff’s hopes of a league and championship doubles remains intact after squeezing past Loughinisland on Monday night but they’ll have to beat Kilcoo first following the quarter-final draw.

The ‘Duff enjoyed a strong second half, outscoring the Blues eight points to five, which made the difference.

Finnian Moriarty’s side will, however, go into the quarter-finals without John McGough who was given a red card along with Loughinisland’s Declan McClements in the last minute of additional time.

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Daniel Guinness came to the fore in the second half big scores, while McGough pointed a vital 45 late on when the game hung in the balance and a Cian Clinton free got Carryduff over the line.

Joe Tunney and Sean McGonigle injected pace and a sense of purpose that was missing in the first half.

Aaron McClements and Rory Mason grabbed second half scores for the Blues but even when big Dan Gordon moved to the edge of the square, they lived off scraps and Carryduff were worth their victory.

Oisin Savage’s poacher goal early in the game gave the Blues a two-point lead at the break.

Played in between the mountains at Liatroim, the end of summer began as the ball was thrown up and the rain pelted throughout.

Both sides played a cautious approach for the first 30 minutes then afterwards Carryduff played with their wits and a bit more off the cuff.

Savage’s goal came from punching a low bouncing ball that he snatched in front of Carryduff keeper Ronan Lawlor although if the nippy forward wasn’t going to score his team-mate Gary Stranny was close by in support.

Pearse McCabe, James Guinness (free), Joe Flynn and Michael McGrath bagged first half points for Carryduff while Aaron McClements, Savage, Declan McClements and county man Rory Mason were on target for the Blues but it was all still to play for at half-time before the Duff put their skates on.

Carryduff scorers: D Guinness (0-2), J Guinness (0-2) P McCabe (0-2), Cian Clinton (0-1), J McGough (0-1, 45), J Tunney (0-1),  Ronan Beattie (0-1), M McGrath (0-1) S McGonigle (0-1), J McFynn (0-1).

Loughinisland: O Savage (1-2), A McClements (0-3), R Mason (0-3, 0-1 free), D McClements (0-1)

Down SFC draw

Quarter-finals

Saturday

Clonduff v Downpatrick (Liatroim, 7.15pm)

Sunday

Kilcoo v Carryduff (Downpatrick, 4pm)

Ballyholland v Burren (Newry, 7pm)

Monday

Glenn v Mayobridge (Kilcoo, 7.15pm)