RGU 0-9 Tullylish 0-8 Just by the skin of their teeth, the Hoops managed to hold on to their Division 2 status next year. In a real war of attrition, played in dubious conditions, the Hoops scraped home by the narrowest of margins, but not before they were forced to draw on every ounce of courage, experience and indeed luck to pull themselves over the finishing line. Indeed Tullylish must feel hard done by, not so much by today's defeat but by dint of how they turned around their season in the last few months only to fall victim of the farce that is known as the league play offs. Yet Downpatrick must be left wondering how a bunch of players who this time last year were a couple of dodgy decisions away from Division 1 were left to fight for survival in the second tier. The one word that springs to mind is commitment and one wonders what the season might have been like if the commitment put in over the last two weeks had been the standard for the season. However that is for another day. At approximately 3.45 there was a collective sigh of relief coupled with yells of delight when the final whistle was blown on proceedings. In the first half RGU played against a very stiff breeze and from the outset they showed a tremendous hunger and endeavour as they tore into their opponents and were 2 points up after 7 minutes resulting from the two Telford brothers before Tullylish edged their way back in to level. But there was a grit and determination about the Hoops as they served up their best fayre playing in to the wind. John Connolly and Jarlath Brannigan were excellent at bringing the ball forward whilst on the right flank, Liam Kearney and Sean Bell were magnificent at breaking up attacks and intelligently linking with attack. Gregory Deegan was masterful at Centre Half before going off with a serious rib injury before the half was up.He was well supported by the Barry Gracey at Full Back, who had probably his best game of the year. With 5 minutes to the break Downpatrick led 6-3 but two late scores from Tullylish left the minimum between the sides at the break yet Downpatrick must have been reasonably content to go in ahead and playing with the breeze in their backs in the second half. But football does not always work like that and it was the West Down side who took control f the game and were much more fluid after the break. They worked the ball well in to shooting positions and with ten minutes remaining found themselves ahead for the first time. They were a rejuvenated side with Peter Quinn and John McAreavey pulling all the strings for them in and around the 40. Also at the back Gareth Johnston was having a blinder with a display of high fielding and courageous blocking. It was then that RGU dug deep and Kevin Gracey found his range from frees to add on the two vital scores that ensured Div 2 football next year. After the game Paul Evans and his management team stood down and the search is now on for a successor. It is however fitting that due thanks are accorded to Paul who has been at the helm for the greater part of the past four years, and also Minor Holland, Marty Brady, Gerry Wilson and Eddie McDonald whose dedication to the senior team over the past two years has been tremendous. The club are indebted to them all for their hard work and commitment. It should be noted that of the four seasons that Paul has been manager, the RGU were narrowly beaten in the promotion play offs on two occasions whilst he was also at the helm for the annexing of two Intermediate Championships in 2005 & 2007. Go Raibh maith agat a Phóil. The Under 13s had no game this week as they travelled to Rossa to defend the Armstrong memorial Shield they won last year, but found the going a bit tougher in the Autumn compared to last year when they had the Spring sun on their back. AGM is on Monday 8th Dec at 8pm in Clubrooms Annual Mass on Wednesday 19th Nov at 7.30pm in Clubrooms Lotto Result: Numbers for Sunday 9th Nov are 1 18 26 27 No jackpot winner and only 1 person had 3 numbers to claim £100 Jackpot is now £2300 Tweet

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