DOWNPATRICK got off to a winning start in the Down championship last weekend as they defeated Carryduff by 3-18 to 0-13.

Downpatrick’s management team is led by Aidan Robinson, along with Kevin Gracey, and Mickey Walsh. Collie Quinn is an assistant.

Quinn told Gaelic Life that going into the game the team were positive.

“We were quietly confident going into the game, but we wouldn’t be cocky.

“We had had a good league campaign. We won eight out of the nine matches. The only defeat was a last minute defeat to Glenn. It is a tight place to play.”

Downpatrick have the odd achievement of having won division two two years in a row. Teams get promoted after they win it once, but because of Covid that couldn’t happen. Their performance this year was built on quality players.

Tom Smith and Oran Cunningham are some of the younger players who have helped.

Peter Turley, Damian Turley, Sean Bell and Gerard Collins are the more senior members of the squad and they have helped to lead the younger men.

Then there are lads like Johnny Bell and Conor Doherty who have been excellent this year.

The bigger news is that Caolan Mooney joined the club from Rostrevor, and on the management side Mickey Walsh’s addition has helped as well.

Quinn said: “It is the best squad we have had in a while. If someone goes off injured or isn’t available, there is quite a bit of depth there. There are a mix of players coming through, plus there are a few older heads.”

The win over Carryduff was hard fought, but they also got some good fortune with Oran Cunningham’s second goal coming from a long shot that crept in under the bar after the Carryduff goalkeeper slipped.

Quinn said: “You take them things and you put them in the account.

“We were very good in the first half. We scored three goals. We could have had a fourth. We only scored two or three points in the second half. But we defended very well. Our turnovers were excellent. So we held Carryduff at bay. But they were missing a couple of players.

“We are not getting carried away with ourselves. We are walking with a spring in our step yes. Everyone is in a good mood. But the senior players wouldn’t let anyone get carried away, and nor would the management of Aidan, Kevin and Mickey Walsh either. But it is enjoyable.”

RGU Downpatrick play Longstone this weekend who pulled off a surprise in beating Warrenpoint.

Quinn said: “Longstone were in the division two with ourselves. That was a surprise that they beat Warrenpoint who would have fancied themselves to win. But that was a real shot in the arm for Longstone.”