Hand
of God Seals win for Dundrum - 16/05/2003
A.C.F.L Division 3, Round
7 - 16/05/2003.
Darragh
Cross 1-08 Dundrum 1-11
Referee: M Rawlinson (Bryansford)
By Marc MacSiomoin, Dundrum
Paddy Doran's "Hand of God" effort
sealed the fate of Darragh Cross in this high octane
East Down encounter. The goal arrived at a crucial
moment with both sides level pegging and it ensured
that Dundrum would pick up their third win on the
trot. The first half was score laden and despite the
away side leading at the break, it was Darragh Cross
who dictated terms in the early skirmishes.
The homesters were first off the
mark with a free. McMullan countered this a minute
later with a point for Dundrum but the 'Cross found
the back of the net on 5 minutes with a well worked
effort. They followed this up with a free shortly
after. 10 minutes in, Walsh launched over a free.
2 minutes later Doran layed off to Walsh and he duly
obliged to bring Dundrum within a point. The young
McCarthy then edged the 'Cross two clear with a fine
score on 14 minutes.
Darragh Cross were their own worst
enemies for the rest of the half as they hit the woodwork
four times and registered five wides. Dundrum were
more accurate from play and Walsh wasn't going to
be denied as he ran from the half way line and thumped
over from 10 yards out on 18 minutes. McMullan added
his second score of the night on 21 minutes and Gibney
latched on to this with an overhead effort shortly
after. The half concluded with another long range
free from Walsh.
Half Time: Darragh Cross 1-03 Dundrum
0-07
Darragh Cross hit the woodwork two
more times at the beginning of the second half and
despite having the majority of the ball couldn't finish
with accuracy. They were most spectacularly denied
three minutes in, when McComiskey threw himself in
front of the ball on the goal line and proceeded to
make a great clearance. Walsh's third free of the
night was the first score of the half and what was
to follow, was a period of Darragh dominance.
The 'Cross hit three unanswered
points in the space of six minutes to send themselves
one ahead. In between the scores they yet again managed
to hit the woodwork. Venney levelled the game on 44
minutes after receiving from Hurley but Darragh came
straight back at Dundrum and pointed to regain the
lead. Although it mightn't have been realised at the
time, it was John McKibben's score which ultimately
changed the complexion of the game on 45 minutes.
It put Dundrum back on level terms and it spurred
them on for the last ten minutes.
Gibney reinforced Dundrum's resurgence
with a fantastic point blank save on 49 minutes. Then
came the masterpeice. Walsh sent in a thunderous free
that dipped into the Darragh box and Paddy Doran,
like a "Phoenix rising from the flames", punched it
to the back of the net with tremendous force. The
goal sent the away side three clear and on the road
to victory.
Marcus Miskelly replied immediately
for Darragh but it was too little too late. They also
spurned a great chance for a goal on 54 minutes which
could have brought them back into the reckoning. However,
it was left for Walsh to have the last laugh as he
converted his fourth free of the night with 5 minutes
to go. Despite late pressure from Darragh, Dundrum
hung on to clinch victory.
Unfortunately for Darragh Cross,
they did not do themselves justice. They were criminally
wasteful up front and if they had of taken half their
chances, they would would have definitely been the
victors. Mageean and Swail were very noticeable at
the back and they contained their men throughout whilst
up front Miskelly was at the centre of Darragh's most
productive play.
Dundrum put in a solid hour and despite
not playing to their full potential, came away with
a credible win. The key to their win was the linkage
between the midfield and the forwards. They finished
off nearly every move with deadly accuracy and this
payed divedends at the final whistle. At the back
it was McComiskey, Murray and Morgan who kept Darragh
at bay during crucial periods. Walsh was a tower of
strength as usual at midfield and all forwards deserved
praise for overcoming the boggy underfoot conditions
in what was a highly competitive game.
Dundrum: C.King, P.Shields, C.Morgan,
N.McComiskey, J.Hurley, M.Murray, C.Carey, K.Walsh
(0-06, 4 Frees), J.McMullan (0-02), P.Doran (1-00),
J.Gibney (0-01), J.Barr, J.McKibben (0-01), C.Kielty,
C.Venney (0-01). Subs: B.Walsh for C.King and P.Byrne
for N.McComiskey.
