Dundrum Notes for
Week Beginning 14th June
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
Dundrum GFC Notes.
ACFL Division 3
Dundrum 0-14 St Johns 2-08
With an eleven point lead at half time
Dundrum looked odds on to clinch this
local derby. How on earth they managed
to surrender this lead is anybody's
guess. The inability of the Duns to
kill the Johnnies fightback proved very
costly and the spectre of relegation
is now firmly hovering above both camps.
It took one of the most bizzare goals
from the plucky Dan Marmion to seal
a deserved draw for his side. On the
hour mark St Johns won a free straight
in front of goal on the 14'. Dundrum
crowded the box and left as few gaps
as possible on the line or so they thought.
Marmion knew that time was running out.
Then as the adrenalin rush obviously
kicked in, he laced an unstoppable low
drive straight across the goal in to
the far corner of the net. The disbelief
on the Dundrum faces said it all. They
knew they had blown it.
This goal was just reward for St Johns
second half comeback but it was their
first half performance that left a lot
to be desired. A solitary score from
Aidan Kelly being their only response
to Dundrum's twelve points.
It was the accuracy from frees in the
first half hour that plumped up Dundrum's
tally. Walsh converted five from the
ground whilst McMullan hit three from
his hands along with two scores from
play. This was added to by a point apeice
from the two nippy corner forwards McShane
and Venney. All in all a very impressive
Dundrum return. The first half had their
authority stamped all over it.
The second half saw St Johns biting
at the bit to get one over on their
near neighbours. It was obvious that
they wanted it more. The first half
retirement of wily veteran Kevin Savage
disrupted their plans but as they regrouped
they seemed more determined than ever
to squeeze a result.
Their return of 2-07 compared to Kieran
Walsh's two frees for Dundrum proved
that this game was really a tale of
two halves. Marmion's goal being the
decisive blow. Dundrum had their chances,
notably Gerard Graham's saved goalbound
shot. McMullan also had the chance to
clinch the game with the last kick but
the pressure became all too much and
really it was never to be.
Dundrum's best performers on the day
were their full-back and full-forward
lines. Hurley, McKibbin and McComiskey
were supreme in the rearguard. McComiskey's
man marking job on Brian Fitzpatrick
was a masterstroke. The dangerous corner
forward barely got a sniff of the ball
and ended up without a score. St Johns
had decent games from McCormick in goals,
Burns in the half-back line, Murray
in midfield and match winner Marmion
at half-forward.
With the new relegation rule in it seems
unlikely that the Johnnies will reach
the 30% of the top team's points total.
Their fate looks sealed. However, Dundrum
have a chance although a slim one at
that. If they want to survive they will.
It's going to be one hectic battle to
avoid the drop.
Dundrum: C.King,N.McComiskey,C.McKibbin,J.Hurley,C.Carey,M.Murray,M.Melville,
K.Walsh (0-07) (Capt), M.Carey, A.Doyle,
J.McMullan (0-05), J.McKibben, C.McShane
(0-01), G.Graham, C.Venney (0-01). Subs:
R.Smyth, P.McComiskey and S.McGrattan.
EDRFL
Dundrum II's 2-12 Saul II's 1-11
The Reserve footballers of Dundrum grabbed
their first win of the League campaign
with a very confident display against
a battling Saul side.
The game was nip and tuck all the way
with Dundrum really coming in to their
own in the last ten minutes of the game.
This was a battling display from the
homeside who had star performers throughout
the field. David Campbell was a rock
in goals and he was backed up time and
time again by the tenacious defending
of Seamus Garlan and Gary Mcllhennon.
In the half-backs Barry Walsh steadied
the ship at the centre which allowed
for Stephen McGrattan and Michael Rooney
to drive forward at will. Rooney's attacking
excursions into the Saul backline were
a treat to watch and his clever passing
was invaluable to the Dundrum outfit.
The returning Walsh also scored the
best point of the game, a real gem from
wide on the right.
At midfield Dundrum dominated for most
of the game. The Saul duo of Frank Holland
and Joe Byrne found Fitzsimons and Hurley
to be tricky opposition and in the final
ten when it most mattered Dundrum's
midfield duo came into their own winning
ball left, right and centre.
Up front Dundrum were very efficient.
In Fintan Forsythe the Duns had the
perfect target man on the edge of the
square. His two goals were of great
importance in deciding the outcome of
the game. His second being an audacious
fist pass from 30 yards out that left
the Saul goalkeeper palming the ball
into his own net.
Rab Smyth also proved a point. His four
scores from corner forward were all
expertly hit. Always out in front Smyth
terroised his Saul marker throughout.
Martin Melville and Chris Hogg also
had tremendous outings. Both were always
available for the pass and when called
upon they never failed to deliver the
goods.
Saul were always there or there abouts
up until the last ten minutes. They
seemed to lose composure in midfield
and Dundrum expolited this. Saul's best
performers were their young guns namely
Paul Ferris and Aodhan Brady. Casement
and Gourley tried hard up front but
lacked that clinical touch. Saul's senior
representatives tried to stem the Dundrum
attack at the back but Ryan Burns and
Davy Higgins were caught out too many
times.
This game was played at a decent tempo
and both sides give as good as they
got. Dundrum seemed stronger in the
midfield area and with the accuracy
of the forwards they deserved the two
points. The Shield competition now beckons
for both sides.
Dundrum: D.Campbell,S.Garlan,D.McGrattan,G.McIllhennon,
M.Rooney, B.Walsh (0-01),S.McGrattan,M.Fitzsimons
(Capt),J.Hurley (0-01), G.Graham,C.Hogg
(0-03),M.Melvile (0-02),P.McGrattan,F.Forsythe
(2-01),R.Smyth (0-04)
Dundrum GFC Club Notes.
* The Seniors drew with St Johns on
Friday night. This week they visit Clann
na Banna with a 7.30pm throw-in at Cottage
Park. Well done to Paul McComiskey who
made his Senior debut on Friday night.
Best wishes to Martin Coughlan, Paddy
Doran and Colm Morgan who are all out
injured at the moment
* The Reserves produced an excellent
win to overcome Saul in the EDRFL. This
Sunday evening Cherryvale is the venue
as the Duns visit Bredagh at 7pm. Many
thanks to Martin Walsh for refereeing
the game on Sunday night
* The Minors are through to the last
8 of the ACMBFC. A demolition job on
St Johns produced a scoreline of: St
Josephs 6-13 St Johns 0-07.
* An understrength U-16 side bowed out
of their 'B' Championship after going
down by a goal to Drumaness.
* The U-14's host Bright on Tuesday
night at home. Throw in is at 7.30pm
and John Killen is down to referee it.
* The U-12's minus eight players entertained
St Pauls in the U-12 BFC and crashed
to a one point defeat. Conor Magee was
magnificent at full back and Aidan Fegan,
Niall Strain and Oisin McKibbin were
other players to star at the back. Kieran
Carville (2-08) was man of the match
at midfield and starred alongside Rory
Kavanagh. In the attack Brendan Kearney,
Michael McShane and Ruari Kearney stood
out.
* A photograph session for all team
captains (except U-16's) and sponsors
will take place at the pitch on the
14th of July at 7pm.
* Well done to Declan Kavanagh who started
at corner back for Down U-15's in their
recent challenge game against Tyrone
at Pairc Esler.
* Chris Hogg, Martin Melville and Conor
McShane started for the Down U-17's
in their recent friendly against Armagh.
