DESPITE having a number of players unavailable Tullylish seniors came away from Downpatrick on Thursday night with a one-point victory following an outstanding performance from the whole team with special mention going to Kevin McKivergan and Peter Quinn.

Having won their previous three games the home team settled first and county minor Jarlath Brannigan opened the scoring after two minutes before Tullylish responded with a Ryan McAnearney point.

Kevin McCartan and John Connolly traded points before McAnearney pointed again. Paddy McKivergan then scored a great point from almost 50 yards to put Tullylish two points ahead after 10 minutes.

Both defences were playing well and after a lengthy spell without a score Downpatrick scored three points in five minutes to lead by one as the half drew to a close, but a well taken point from Eamon Morgan left the sides level at the break.

Peter Quinn pointed a free in the first minute of the second half following a great run from Kevin McKivergan. Downpatrick then equalised before going ahead from a Brannigan free.

Kevin McCartan, who was having a great game in the half forward line, levelled the match with his second point of the night before wing back James McDermott pointed from the right to put Tullylish back in front.

Quinn extended the visitors lead with a free in the 11th minute and two minutes later scored a great goal following good approach play from McDermott and McCartan.

Tullylish now led by five points but Downpatick clawed their way back into the game and scored 3 points in as many minutes to reduce the margin to a worrying two points.

An Eamon Morgan point gave the visitors some breathing space with 5 minutes to go and when Peter Quinn pointed another free Tullylish seemed comfortable enough with three minutes left.

However, Downpatrick were far from finished and responded immediately with a goal to leave it a one-point game.

The Tullylish defence, in which Gareth Johnston, Ronan Barry and Paddy Moley were magnificent, tackled like demons in the dying minutes to deny the Downpatrick forwards the space to score the equalising point.