Dundrum lose in Championship
aginst Tullylish
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
Harp Lager Down Intermediate Football
Championship Quarter Final
Dundrum 0-10 Tullylish 4-14
Struggling Division 2 side Tullylish
raced in to the semi finals of the IFC
with this comfortable win over a poor
Dundrum offering at Drumgath on Saturday
evening.
Dundrum lacked conviction and Tullylish
were dominant in most areas. Their victory
was built on the superb half back line
of Priestly, Barry and Feeney. These
three men shored up an excellent defensive
unit that conceded very little.
In the attack John McAreavey was at
the pinnacle of most forages in to the
Dundrum backline. The former Down Minor
and Aghaderg player grabbed a personal
tally of 1-02. Alongside him was the
speedy Chambers who terrorised McComiskey
all night. The nippy corner forward
hit 1-01 and proved to be a big danger
throughout.
Tullylish will look to build on this
win for their last four encounter but
their weakest spot lies in the middle
third where Corbett and Quinn lost out
to Walsh and Doyle in a terrific battle.
They'll need to be a lot tighter in
this zone if they are to progress.
Dundrum had a few successes on the night.
Walsh looked back to his best again
at midfield whilst Venney showed a lot
of promise in the full forward line.
John McKibben was also quietly effective
at wing back.
The game itself was played at a decent
tempo. Tullylish were a lot sharper
and commanded a five point lead at half
time. Fintan O'Dowd helped himself to
three excellent scores whilst McCartan,
Chambers, McGovern and McAreavey all
raised the white flag. Dundrum's two
scores came from Kielty and McComiskey.
The second half was a lot more open
and it was Tullylish who committed the
least mistakes. Two quickfire goals
at the start from Chambers and McAreavey
spelt danger for Dundrum. These were
added to with a McGovern double.
Shortly after Dundrum had a productive
spell were they converted five on the
trot. McMullan sailing over two frees
with Venney getting a supreme double
from play. Walsh stroked over the last
of the quintet to put eight between
the sides.
After Dundrum's rally Tullylish quickly
resumed order. Four consecutive scores
heading their way. By now it was damage
limitation for the Duns. Venney, McMullan
and McComiskey all getting one each
to round off the East Down sides total.
The closing moments were extremely agonising
for Dundrum. Tullylish lashed in to
two opportunist goals and a point to
bump up a very handsome looking scoreline.
The goals were a result of disastrous
Dundrum defending and they served to
compound their misery.
This was a game that Tullylish wholly
deserved to win. They worked better
as a unit and were water tight at the
back and with McAreavey and Chambers
in form they could spring a suprise
come semi final time.
Dundrum: C.King, N.McComiskey, J.Hurley,
C.McKibbin, J.McKibben, P.Shields, M.Melville,
K.Walsh (0-01, 1 Free), A.Doyle, P.McComiskey
(0-02), P.Doran, J.McMullan (0-03, 3
Frees), C.Venney (0-03, 1 Free), C.Kielty
(0-01), C.McShane. Subs: G.Graham, M.Coughlan,
C.Morgan.
