Tullylish get revenge in hotly contested derby

Clann Na Banna 1-8

PAIRC nA nOg played host to Clann Na Bana on Friday evening when Tullylish exacted sweet revenge against the visitors in a titan battle of fierce, competitive gaelic football.

Tullylish were certainly up for the game and that was evident from the throw in with Murphy and Johnston shoulder to shoulder with their conterparts and prepared to compete for every ball.

Michael McCartan was on hand to pick up breaking ball out of the midfield and he found Shannon Drainey just inside shooting distance to take the first point of the game.

John McAreavey got the next score from a free kick for Tullylish. Seamus O’Hare won the resulting kick out and set Pete Quinn up for the next score and a three point lead for Tullylish.

Gareth Johnston plucked a high ball out of the air to find McAreavey on target for the next point. Tullylish were on a roll, eager for scores and full of running. Banbridge were unable to penetrate the Tullylish backline blockade of Donnelly, Priestly and O’Dowd. Donnelly was consistent and disciplined against his formidable opponent in Johnny Burns who took the only point for Banbridge in the first half from a free kick.

Tullylish did not allow the visitors to capitalise on the score and went on the attack immediately with Johnston storming through the park and finishing with a secure point.

Accurate short passing and fast support play from the home half backs, Rony Barry, Kevin McKivergan and Michael McCartan secured the next three points for the home side, courtesy of McAreavey, Drainey and McDermott.

The final score of the first half came from the high catch in the midfield from Murphy who delivered to McDermott to take a point and give Tullylish an eight point lead going into the changing rooms.

Banbridge came right back into the game in the second half, Paddy McCambridge taking the first point from play. Tullylish answered with two consecutive points but the battle was on.

Johnny Burns successfully converted a free kick and McArdle followed with a point from play.

Seamus OHare chased a loose ball that looked like it was going over the line but he kept it in play and found John McAreavey in place to take a crucial point for Tullylish.

The next ten minutes were perhaps the most exciting of the game with end to end football and every pass of critical importance. Matthew Smyth put the visitors in contention when he was on the end of a Hill Smyth combination goal. A much inspired Banbridge side took three valuable points in succession to come within a point of Tullylish.

A final crucial midfield ball was secured by Murphy for Tullylish who found Rony Barry on the edge of the square and he made no mistake with the insurance point for Tullylish who ran out the winners 0-13 to 1-8.

Tullylish: Steven O’Hare, Ronan O’Dowd, Niall Donnelly, Barry Priestly, Rony Barry, Michael McCartan, Kevin McKivergan, Gareth Johnston, Kevin Murphy, Seamy O’Hare, James McDermott, Shannon Drainey, Johm McAreavey, Davy Corbett, Pete Quinn Eamon Morgan, Justin McCartan.

Tullylish Ladies had a tremendous win over old rivals Aughlisnafin on Saturday evening in the semi final of the Down Junior League. They now face Loughinisland in the Junior Championship Final on Saturday August 28 at 2pm in Saval.