A four-way title race in Down

BY KIERAN LYNCH

WHILST Tuesday night’s draw threw up some interesting pairings in the Down Senior Championship, there is still a lot to play for in the league, with Loughinisland and Carryduff neck and neck at the top, through 11 games in Division One.

There are still seven games to go in Down and a lot can change between now and the end of play, but those two sides, who sit with nine wins and just two defeats so far, both picked up impressive away wins on Monday night, with Loughinisland triumphing over Warrenpoint, whilst Carryduff trounced bottom-of-the-table Longstone.

Kevin Duffin’s men host eighth-placed Bredagh this Friday night, looking to continue their fine vein of form, whilst Carryduff entertain Steven Poacher’s Mayobridge side, who sit in mid-table just past the mid-way point of the campaign.

Those two sides aren’t alone in the title race however, as reigning Senior champions Kilcoo are two points off top spot, with Clonduff one point behind the Magpies.

Friday night sees a rematch of last year’s nail-biting Down Senior Championship final, as Warrenpoint host Kilcoo. Extra-time was needed to split the two teams on that occasion.

For Clonduff, they lost out by a point away to Bredagh on Monday night but will be expected to return to winning ways at home against Longstone this weekend.

As previously mentioned, the first round of the draw for the Down Senior Championship was made on Tuesday night, with the marquee tie seeing local rivals Burren and Warrenpoint renew acquaintances. A penalty shootout saw the Point stun Jim McCorry’s highly fancied side in the last eight last year.

Kilcoo begin the defence of their crown with a trip to Carryduff in a game which is sure to provide needle, with last year’s beaten semi-finalists Loughinisland away to Ballyholland, and Mayobridge at home to Bryansford, who they defeated by nine points in the league the night prior to the draw being made.