Impressive start
for Drumaness
ACFL Div
3: Drumaness 3-14 Dundrum 2-08
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
Last season saw Drumaness escape from
a relegation dogfight that so nearly
robbed them of their Division 3 status.This
year however, it is very unlikely that
they will have to endure a similar scenario.
Judging on Sunday afternoon's performance,
this is a very much improved Drumaness
outfit. Their direct approach coupled
with their free flowing attack play
took Dundrum apart at the seams.
The return of key players such as Conor
Walsh and Stevie Rogan and the emergence
of young talents such as Tony Ferris
and Conor Deegan went a long way in
determining the outcome of this game.
Dundrum just simply could not cope with
the constant barrage of attacks that
beseiged their defence time after time.
John McKibben and Neil McComiskey tried
valiantly to curb the expolits of Kennedy
and Savage but in the end the forwards
gained the upperhand. Conor McKibbin
at wing half back perservered until
the very end but his forward thinking
ploys were not availed of to a great
extent by the scoregetters. Midfield
was a very interesting affair with Taylor
and Stranney contesting a fierce battle
with Walsh and Kielty. Both camps had
their periods of dominance in this area
but in the end it would be hard to pick
out a victor in this very competitive
sector of the pitch.
There were scores aplenty in this game
and it was largely a result of the fine
shooting on view. The 'Ness attack was
sublime in so many ways. They moved
the ball about well, took their chances
when they came about and most of all
penetrated the Dundrum rearguard whenever
possible. The main architect for the
homeside was McAlinden. His usage of
the ball and spreading of the play proved
an invaluable asset. The Duns had a
decent return in scoring 2-08 but they
just lacked that final touch at times.16
year old Martin Melville had an outstanding
debut at corner forward. He managed
1-01 from play and was in the thick
of the action whenever possible.
The game itself was quite an enjoyable
affair. Drumaness led by 9 points at
the break getting a goal after just
8 minutes of action. They racked up
10 points with their best period coming
in the last quarter. Dundrum's tally
wasn't as impressive. A couple of frees
from Walsh and scores from play from
Doran and Melville was all the away
side could muster.
The second half saw the game break even.
Both contingents amassed 2-04 each but
only for some fine goalkeeping exploits
from Colum King, Drumaness could of
had a lot more.
Dundrum's two goals came from debutant
Melville and a penalty from Walsh. McMullan
and Kielty also bagged points along
with another double from Walsh. Drumaness
held their nerve and kept playing decent
football until the death. Their first
half scoring tally ultimately kept them
in good stead. This game was there for
the taking and Drumaness took it. They
put behind them the misery of the past
two years and never looked back.
Dundrum are notoriously sluggish at
the start of the season but when they
find their form, they become invincible.
Dundrum:
C.King, J.McKibben, M.Murray,
N.McComiskey. J.Hurley, P.Shields, C.McKibbin,
C.Kielty (0-01), K.Walsh (1-04), A.Doyle,
M.Coughlan, J.McMullan (0-01), M.Melville(1-01),
P.Doran (0-01), C.Venney.
Sub:
G.Graham
