Burren 1-14
Bryansford 1-13

Burren claimed a record 12th Down senior football championship success yesterday when they edged out Bryansford by the minimum of margins yesterday at Pairc Elser, Newry.

After all was said and done, it was a 58th minute free from 'Man of the Match' Sean Murdock that clinched the title for Burren and left the Bryansford contingent gutted after a brave effort.

Down midfielder Kalum King handed 'Ford the perfect start when he rattled the net inside just 20 seconds, but two minutes later Burren stormed into the lead when centre-forward James McGovern pointed before combining with Kevin McKernan to release defender Gerard McCartan to fire in a goal.

The sound free-taking of Murdock was all the difference in moving the winners into a 1-7 to 1-5 lead at the break, but Pete McGrath's charges overturned that early on in the resumption, with Chris Brannigan striking their only converted free of the game for the advantage.

It stayed even until Danny Savage seemed to have won it for Bryansford with a terrific burst of three points inside six minutes, but Burren had plenty more in the tank as Declan Rooney and McKernan levelled before the St Mary's side took the lead two minutes from time through a nerveless Murdock free and they'd never surrender.

Burren - C Murdock; Ciaran McGovern, D McCartan, R McGovern; K McKernan (0-1), Chris McGovern, G McCartan (1-0) ; A Higgins, D Rooney (0-1) ; Conal McGovern, J McGovern (0-1), E McGovern; A McArdle, E Toner (0-2), S Murdock (0-9). Subs - E McCartan for E McGovern; D O'Hare for J McGovern.

Bryansford - P Travers: J Megorrian, P Bonny, S Toner; L Hanna, A Shields, D McKibben; J Ireland, C Gribben (0-2); C Clarke (0-2), C Maginn (0-1), Chris Brannigan (0-2); Ciaran Brannigan (0-1), K King (1-1), D Savage (0-4). Subs - T Hanna for Chris Brannigan; N Murray for C Clarke