Late goal helps Dundrum
to victory over Bosco
ACFL Div 3: Dundrum 3-09 Bosco 1-15
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
It took a late fisted
goal from the miniscule Cormac Venney
to rescue Dundrum from defeat in this
highly entertaining encounter. The pint
sized corner forward rose highest between
two Bosco defenders to palm McShane's
well placed ball beyond Andy Coleman.
Infact the goal was the least that the
Duns deserved. They held the biggest
portion of possession and they showed
the greater industry in a game in which
they should of won.
Bosco showed up well in patches but
their insistence in targeting Conor
Larkin at full forward proved costly
in the second half. This tactic worked
well on occasion but once Colm Morgan
sniffed out the plot Bosco had to revert
to other devices.
Neil Tumelty was probably their most
accomplished player. His role at centre
half forward was one in which he revelled.
His final tally of 1-03 was a most impressive
return.
At the back Bosco were suspect, especially
in the full back line. Martin Cunningham
found Venney a handful whilst McAnulty
failed to curb the fine positional play
of Paidi Doran. Further up in the halfbacks
the Rooney twins tried valiantly to
contend with the two Martins but they
lost the aerial battles when it most
counted.
In the attack it was young Kyle Brennan
who made a valuable contribution to
his side's cause. His three first half
points were all splendidly taken but
his influence in the 2nd half was severely
limited after the experienced Mickey
Murray was drafted onto him.
Conor Larkin showed well with four points
coming his way. However, the over reliance
on him to get scores proved a mistake
on Bosco's part.
On the other hand, Dundrum showed a
lot of grit and physical presence. Colm
King did superbly in goals with a number
of timely saves. He was well backed
up by some stout defending by Colm Morgan
and Paul Byrne in the full back line.
Neil McComiskey stood out as a man of
the match candidate at left half back.
His reading of the game and distribution
were second to none and his fine play
provided the springboard for many an
attack.
Aaron Doyle and John Hurley had a fairly
even contest with Duggan and Conlon
in the middle of the park but it was
Bosco who were first to the break for
most of the game.
Dundrum's attack looked at it's most
potent in this affair. The ageless trio
of Marty Carey, Marty Coughlan and Paidi
Doran provided the ball winning abilities
whilst McMullan, Venney and McShane
brought along the killer touch in front
of goal.
The game's first score arrived through
Dundrum's Doran. However, Bosco were
first to settle and three consecutive
points from Kyle Brennan (0-02) and
Martin O'Cearra (0-01) got their side
into the stride of things.
Then a devastating period of seven minutes
saw the Duns net twice. Doran and Doyle
exposed Bosco either side of Tumelty's
well taken point.
This double sparked the homeside into
gear and despite Tumelty raising the
flag again, McMullan shot over a free
at the other end. Another point from
Doran finished Dundrum's 1st half tally.
The final ten minutes saw the famous
Tonn Ruray wind gather pace and it proved
to be a disadvantage to the Duns. The
Newry men coasted in at the break with
five consecutive points from Larkin
(0-02), Brennan (0-01), Tumelty (0-01)
and Duggan (0-01) to put themselves
one clear.
The early passages of the second half
saw some excellent defensive covering
from McComiskey coupled with two sterling
saves by King. These incidents seemed
to spur on the Duns attack and four
scores without reply arrived through
McMullan (0-02),McShane (0-01) and Carey
(0-01). Carey's effort in particular
was an excellent long range kick. His
influence on the game heightened from
this point on as he eased himself into
numerous ball winning positions to feed
the attack.
It took awhile for the Bosco to regroup
but a score ten minutes in seemed to
settle their nerves. Another four points
without a Dundrum retaliation eased
the city men two clear. Larkin (0-02),
Paul O'Cearra (0-01) and Duggan (0-01)
the instigators.
The final eight minutes provided all
the turmoil and excitement that is part
and parcel of the GAA. It all began
when Morgan dragged Larkin to the ground
in the Duns penalty area. Tumelty stepped
up and made no mistake as he rocketed
his effort to the bottom corner. With
three points to spur Bosco threw caution
to the wind and focused on defending
their lead. This venture allowed the
Duns in for chances-McMullan (0-02)-
but five missed opportunities due to
tight marking became the undoing of
the homesters.
Despite the Duns superior influence
on the game their luck looked out. But
in a forward line that possesses the
class of Doran, the craftiness of Carey
and the guile of Coughlan, your'e never
out of luck. These three played a crucial
part in the last gasp goal. The rest
they say is history.
Dundrum: C.King, J.McKibbin, C.Morgan,
P.Byrne, P.Shields, C.McKibbin, N.McComiskey,
J.Hurley, A.Doyle (1-00), M.Coughlan,
M.Carey (0-01), J.McMullan (0-05), C.McShane
(0-01), P.Doran (1-02), C.Venney (1-00).
Sub: M.Murray.
