Bryansford in sevens heaven

THE Blue September Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland 7s final was an all-Down affair and Bryansford prevailed after a cracking game to win the title for the fifth time at Glenalbyn.

The winners got off to a dream start as they worked the ball forward from the throw-in and Ciaran Brannigan rammed a low shot to the Castlewellan net with just 15 seconds gone.

Castlewellan came back strongly though and led at half time 1-7 to 1-6, Kevin Duffin’s goal lifting them.

Bryansford lifted the tempo once again after the resumption, scoring the opening three points but a Colm Óg Crilly goal for Castlewellan put the game back in the melting pot.

Brendan Corrigan’s charges had a greater spread of scoring power however and with Chris Brannigan, Johnny Cunningham and Danny Savage kicking vital scores, they become the fourth Down side to win the title since Castlewellan’s success in 2006.

The success also marked the seventh year in succession an Ulster team annexed the title but there were some signs of a revival from the rest of the country, or Dublin at least, as the hosts and Ballymun reached the quarter-finals.

Defending champions St Gall’s made it out of their group but their quest for a fifth title, and fourth in seven campaigns ended on a 3-10 to 0-6 quarter-final defeat by Castlewellan, themselves chasing a sixth success.

BRYANSFORD: D Savage 0-1, S Tower 0-1, J Magorrian 0-2, C Cribben 0-2, C Clark 0-2, D McKibben, Ciaran Brannigan 1-2, Chris Brannigan 0-3, J Cunningham 0-2, M Brannigan.

CASTLEWELLAN: Colm Óg Crilly 1-0, B Trevors 0-3, D Morgan, F McGreevy 0-4, K Duffin 1-1, Cathal Crilly, D McGrady, C Flanagan, D McKibben, A Burns 0-3.

Referee: D Fahy (Longford)

Picture: Bryansford’s Jim Magorrin and his teammates celebrate.