Massive win for Tullylish

Ballymartin 0-14

Tullylish 2-10

TULLYLISH met Ballymartin in a crunch League Division Two clash on Saturday last at the Mourne venue.

The Tullylish men looked motivated and ready as the ref threw the ball in, and in a classic game of fast, aggressive football they proved that they have got what it takes to challenge the playoffs and stay in Division Two.

Possession and scores were the order of the day and Tullylish took the initiative with determined running and target passing from half forwards Eamon Morgan, James McDermott and John McKivergan led to a point from McAreavey in the first minute of the game.

A side line ball taken by Eamon Morgan just seconds later found McAreavey and the back of the net to give the away side confidence and just a little bit of edge.

Shannon Drainey converted a free kick on the left foot before Ballymartin answered with two points from play.

Niall Donnelly put his stamp on the play with a timely interception which found John McAreavey passing to Shannon Drainey who secured a four point lead for Tullylish.

The successive kick out was clawed out of the air by Kevin Murphy in the middle of the field who hit Johnsy on the run and a short progressive ball found Shannon Drainey in front of the net - he didn’t miss.

Tullylish were now in a seven point lead but Ballymartin fought their way back into the game, hitting four points in a row before Kevin McCartan snatched a breaking ball in the half forward line, found Eamon Morgan, onto Gareth Johnston and an important point heralded the half time whistle.

Tullylish ran into the changing rooms with the lead and a job to do in the second half.

That’s certainly what they did and James McDermott took the first point of the second half before Ballymartin came back with their strongest challenge of the game and five unanswered points to take the game to a draw.

This was probably the biggest challenge to date for Tullylish and a united front was called for. Kick outs were directing the game and the two Tullylish midfielders, Murphy and Johnston displayed courage and tenacity against a formidable Ballymartin duo which included Down midfield battler Peter Fitzpatrick.

Tullylish was battling for everything and anything all over the field and with two points scored in succession it looked like they had the edge only to be matched by Ballymartin who secured the second draw of the game.

Feistly tackling and close marking by the Tullylish backs, Priestly, Donnelly and Magee kept the seasiders out and when McAreavey gave Tullylish the lead with a point with minutes to go, James McDermott compounded the lead with an insurance point and the win for Tullylish.

Tullylish: Steven O'HarE, Barry Priestly, Niall Donnelly, Seamy O'Hare, Michael McCartan, Rony Barry, Gareth Johnston, Kevin Murphy, Eamon Morgan, James McDermott, John McKivergan, John McAreavey, Shannon Drainey, Kevin McCartan, Rony O'Dowd, Justin McCartan.

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