Is their a power
change in East Down
East Down Minor Football
League Section B
Ballykinlar/Dundrum 1-10 Loughinisland
0-10
By
Marc MacSiomoin
East Down Minor Football League Section
B Ballykinlar/Dundrum 1-10 Loughinisland
0-10
If you wanted anymore proof that there
is a power change taking place in East
Down, then look no further. Loughinisland
so long one of the main driving forces
at juvenile level are seeing their status
as kingpins being slowly eroded away.
This is not to say that that the big
sides are getting worse in terms of
skill level and committment. It is simply
that the so called smaller clubs are
getting better.
The evidence for this assumption can
be seen clearly in this rollercoaster
of a match. Loughinisland started off
the better and quickly rushed in to
a four point lead. Aaron Mulholland
was most dominant at midfield in this
period and received good support from
Seamus O'Hare and Conor Killen when
going forward.
It took twelve minutes for the seasiders
to register a score through Conor McShane.
Paul McComiskey quickly added another
only for the 'Island to hit back with
a double to saunter in to a four point
lead.
The final stages of the first half proved
to be the breaking point for the visitors.
Cormac O'Toole received his marching
orders and the homesters took advantage
of this to slot over a vital point just
before the whistle.
The second half began brightly and the
combination started to take the game
more to the oppostion. Chris Hogg bagged
a double to leave a solitary point in
it. With the pace of the game gradually
gaining momentum the 'Island struck
the next blow. It was a flowing move
that originated fom Cochrane at corner
back and ended up with a superb point
from Killen.
With the nip and tuck nature of the
game prevailing both sides had to take
their chances when the time came about.
Unfortunately for the 'Island their
chances were severely limited by some
superb defending by the tenacious Michael
Rooney and the tight marking Barry Melville.
With the combination's attack using
the useful ball from the back as a springboard
their could only be one outcome. Conor
McShane struck two fine scores from
play and Marty Melville put the finishing
touches to some good work by Paul Rooney
to leave the affair at a stalemate.
Then the sucker punch came the way of
Loughinisland. Marky Cunningham who
is usually more accustomed to a defensive
berth took receipt of a well placed
Caolan Brown pass to place his shot
to the underside of the sprawling Gordon.
From this point on, it was game on.
McShane and McComiskey lobbed over a
couple of points to sway the game considerably
in favour of the homeside. Then disaster
struck for both camps. Chris Hogg and
his opposite number Aaron Mulholland
received reds which left te field of
play wide open, literally.
Momentarilly the 'lsland clawed back
into it with two points to leave a goal
in it. However, the amalgamation held
their nerve and Paul McComiskey rifled
over their last contribution of the
game.
The away team did manage a consolation
deep into injury time but at this stage
it proved simply in vain. The roars
of approval from the home crowd at the
death signalled just how important this
win was. Surely a very positive sign
for the future.
Ballykinlar/Dundum:
C.King, M.Rooney, H.Robb,
B.Melville, M.Cunningham (1-00), J.McKibben,
C.Kearney, C.Hogg (0-2), M.Melville
(0-01), C.McShane (0-03), P.McComiskey
(0-04), P.Rooney, C.Bown, M.Robb, S.Dillon.
Sub: J.Tumelty.
