Downpatrick will be playing their football in Division two next year, the first time in 25 years they will be doing so, after their defeat at the hands of An Riocht in this Division one relegation playoff. An Riocht won this game 0 - 16 to Downpatrick's 0 - 06 with all Downpatrick's scores coming from veteran Kyran Smith.

In the opening stages of the game Downpatrick tried to penetrate the An Riocht defence but the kingdoms full back line of Joe and Liam McVeigh and Declan O'Reilly were to strong. An Riocht scored five points in the opening fifteen minutes with John Clake who was playing in midfield for An Riocht was in top form and involved in all of the Mourne sides scores. Downpatrick broke through the An Riocht defence on the 18th minute and scored their first score. By half time the score was An Riocht 0 - 10 Downpatrick 0 - 02.

In the first ten minutes of the second half Downpatrick looked like a different team now play with the wind, Mark Trainor, Richard Starkey and Smith getting on top and helping Downpatrick score four unanswered points. At this stage it looked all Downpatrick, with An Riocht in real trouble but a poor kick out from Downpatrick which went to An Riochts Kevin Flanagan resulted in An Riocht first score of the half. This point seemed to lift the Kingdom and brought them back into the game, An Riocht scored five more points before the final whistle with Downpatrick failing to register another score.

An Riocht: Brendan McVeigh, Joe McVeigh, Liam McVeigh, Declan O'Reilly, Jim Clarke, John Lavery 0 - 01, Conor Annett, Paul Murney 0 - 02, John Clarke 0 - 09, Neil Doran, Kevin Flanagan 0 - 01, Gary Cunningham 0 - 01, Damian Cunningham, Brian Sloan, Ciaran McVeigh. Substitutes: S.P. Smith, Paul Colgan 0 - 01, Noel Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Walsh 0 - 01.

Downpatrick: Gareth Calson, Peter McCartan, Danny Carville, Mark Trainor, Harry Rice, Barry Gracey, Philip Oakes, Richard Starkey, Donal McCartan, Karl Oakes, Kyran Smith 0 - 06, Peter Turley, John Smith, Gerard Deegan, Mary Robinson. Substitutes: Peter Telford, Henry Curran, Conor O'Neill.

Player of the Match: John Clarke (An Riocht)

Photos from the An Riocht v Downpatrick - Division One Relegation Play Off