Clann na Banna claim
two points at Dundrum
ACFL Div 3: Dundrum 3-09 Clann na Banna
3-11
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
Banbridge banished their hoodoo
of leaving Dundrum with nothing as they
collected a hard fought two point victory
on Friday night.
In a high scoring game
it was Rory Hill's accuracy from free
kicks in the 2nd half that inevitably
guided his side to victory.
The contest was only
seconds old when Banbridge grabbed themselves
a goal. It came in the most bizzare
fashion and it was ultimately the high
winds coming off Dundrum Bay that played
the biggest part in the assist.
Yet it was the homeside
who did all the running in the first
ten minutes. A well worked move involving
Walsh, Doran and Doyle released McMullan
who didn't dare miss. McShane added
to this with a fine individual effort
after taking receipt of a well placed
ball from Walsh.
The Duns kept applying
the pressure which forced the Clann
to retreat time after time. Further
scores from Doran and McMullan put the
homesters ahead for the first time in
the game. Venney then finished off a
good pass from Coughlan to give the
Duns a nice platform from which to add.
Colm Morgan was in commanding fashion
at the back and let little escape his
presence.
However, last year's
promotion chasers refused to throw in
the towel and three consecutive scores
put them in to a one point lead. But
the wind which now gave the the advantage
to Dundrum continued to play a major
part, especially in the goal which followed.
Conor McKibbin sent a long ball deep
in to the Bann rearguard. Venney was
quickest to react and after evading
three men he shot with his left peg.
The goalkeeper never had a chance and
the lead now rested with the Duns.
Banbridge did pick
themselves up for a period after the
goal but a point was all they had for
their efforts. The action then switched
momentarilly to the other end in what
was probably the score of the game.
A lovely turn and curling shot from
McMullan being the perfect retaliation.
The Clann then snuck in at the whistle
with a score to leave two points in
it.
The second half was
as score laden as it was controversial.
The home side were unlucky in numerous
decisions but the seige mentality kicked
in and this helped produce an explosive
second half.
The Clann were first
out of the blocks and in the space of
eight minutes they mustered a goal and
four points to sway the game considerably
in their favour. The Duns were non-existent
during this period, rarely threatening
the Bann goal.
The game then entered
a tit for tat scenario. The Duns were
first to pounce. The rangy McMullan
finding his distance once again. The
Clann countered with a free but in the
following skirmish Marty Coughlan came
out on top to tap one over for the homeside.
With three points the
difference between the two entities
every chance that came along had to
be grasped. The Bann then took the initiative
after a five minute period of inertia.
Another goal came their way and with
a six point lead they looked odds on
to emerge victors.
With the chips down
the Duns went for broke. A newly instilled
fighting spirit filtered through from
the goalkeeper to the full forward and
the result was a goal. Doran was the
finisher, Doyle the provider. All was
not yet lost.
Despite Rory Hill converting
his fifth free of the night, the Bann
remained on tenterhooks. Their nervy
defence was now under seige and with
the maestro of the square lurking, danger
was just around the corner. Then Paddy
Doran threw the script book out the
window and found the net for the second
time in as many minutes much to the
joy of the home support. A solitary
point was all that now separated the
sides.
Time was running out
and the next score would prove decisive
and decisive it proved to be. Hill hoofed
an easy free clear over the bar to send
his comrades home happy with two points
in tow. The Bann got the win. The Duns
will probably feel hard done by. Their
efforts deserved a lot more.
Dundrum: C.King, J.McKibben,
C.Morgan, N.McComiskey, J.Hurley, C.McKibbin,
P.Shields, K.Walsh, C.Kielty, A.Doyle,
M.Coughlan (0-01), J.McMullan (0-04),
C.Venney (1-02), P.Doran (2-01), C.McShane
(0-01). Sub: M.McKibbin.
