The competitive season started for the teams playing first and second division football with the first series of league games being played on Wednesday evening last. One of the games of the season last year was the league final between An Riocht and Kilcoo which saw An Riocht win their first ever league title. They travelled to Owen Roe Park but where they found the home side smarting for revenge, Damian Grant scored 2-06 as Kilcoo romped to a 3-18 to 0-3 victory. Former all Ireland star Gregory McCartan kicked three points for Castlewellan at Clonduff Park but it was a first half goal from Fionbharr McConville which steered Clonduff to a 1-12 to 0-12 win over the town. Liatroim scored 3-10 in their opening game at Fontenoy Park but it wasn't enough to give them victory against Longstone who scored 1-17, Mark Poland finishing with a total of 0-12. Loughlinisland were the other away winners of the evening finishing a single point better than Rostrevor at McCartan Park. There was no fairy tale start to his managerial career in Down football for Damian Barton who saw his side Burren go down 0-06 to 1-11 at Mayobridge. The Sexton brothers Noel (3) and Ronan (4) kicked seven points for the sky blues but it was Mickey Walsh whom pulled the strings in an impressive second half performance form the 'bridge. Clann Na Bann won the bragging rights at Cottage Park where Tony WilsonÌs charges were single point winners over visiting Annaclone. There were home wins and impressive starts to the season for Ballymartin winners over Downpatrick, Tullylish over Shamrocks and Darragh cross over Kilclief. Relegated Bryansford signalled their intentions with a convincing 1-14 to 0-07 win over Warrenpoint. Down clubs enjoyed the rare luxury of Sunday afternoon football for their second series of games and on a bright sunny end of April day many were asking "when did we last have a club game on a Sunday". But whilst most clubs did appreciate the Sunday game the fixtures were not without some controversy, the reason being that the county minor selectors had arranged a friendly game away in Westmeath leaving players with something of a dilemma, whether they play for club or county. This is not the kind of decision any player should be forced to make least of all boys under eighteen. This kind of confusion begs questions about who knows what or who is not telling who. Communication is not rocket science and I am sure that the minor selectors did not learn much from their journey with half a team six weeks before the Ulster championship.. There was some confusion about the second series of games, according to the published fixture list the games should have been played on Friday 25 April but due to the possibility of a division three league final and a possible All Ireland U21 final they were refixed for Monday 28. However, last week ends county results changed the picture somewhat and the games were rearranged for a second time to be played at 5pm on Sunday evening, presumably to avoid the clash with the Live televising of the National League finals. But there was yet another change, the games were rearranged for a third time, this time to be played at 3pm on Sunday. No reason was given for the change except that the games clashed the divisional fixtures but surely an accommodation could have been made, after all football could have been played till 8.30pm. Double bills featuring reserve teams and senior teams could have been quite an attraction on a Sunday evening, or might the problem have had something to do with referee appointments' for other codes, a nettle which nobody is prepared to grasp. The playing of the games in the afternoon led to a direct clash with the minor fixture. The games which were played on Sunday afternoon saw Clonduff chalk up their second win of the week, a point in stoppage time from substitute Eugene Brannagan giving them victory over Ballyholland at Fr. Lynch Park. Mayobridge and Loughlinisland were the other first division teams to pick up their second brace of points. Burren smarting from their midweek defeat in Mayobridge took the wind out of Kilcoo's sails, goals from goals either side of half time from Kevin McGovern and Eamon Toner helping Burren to a 2-10 to 0-11 win. The management duo of Gary Mason and Gerard Colgan at Loughlinisland will be pleased with the start their charges have made. Only the old hands can remember when the 'island last won at the stone. Mark Poland followed up his 12 point haul in Liatroim with 1-07 on Sunday but this time it was not enough. Loughlinisland 'keeper Ciaran Doran saved a first half penalty from Ryan Kelly which was significant as was the goals from Ben O'Reilly and Niall McCarthy. It was a triumphant return to Petit Park for Jarlath Austin who is now part of the Liatroim management, the Fontenoys changed their formation after their defeat against the 'stone, Liam Doyle moved from centre half back to lead the attack with Aidan O'Prey operating at the heart of the defence against Rostrevor and the visitors already had he game well won when Doyle set up Paul Burns for a last minute goal. In the remaining game at Castlewellan Saval share he points with the town. Bryansford are now the only undefeated team in the second division after their win over Atticall at Holy Cross Park.