ACFL Division 4

St Michaels 3-11 Dundrum 0-08

An excellent performance from St Michaels saw them humiliate a lacklustre Dundrum at Magheralin on Friday night. In a totally one sided game the homeside dominated in all sectors and in the end it was very obvious that they were the better team.

From the start St Michaels seemed the more hungry and they quickly raced in to a two point lead. Dundrum hit back through a Paul McComiskey free but St Michaels found the net soon after to go four ahead.

Dundrum then attempted to get right back in to it with Kieran Walsh floating over a free. However, St Michaels converted two quickfire chances with the second being an excellent effort from their Down Minor Declan Lavery.

With the first half coming to a close their was real hope in the Dundrum camp that they could bridge the gap. Scores from Paul McComiskey, Kieran Walsh and Cormac Venney reduced the deficit to two points. Then just at the death Lavery popped up with a free to put a goal between the teams at the break.

Like the first half St Michaels started off the stronger. Three points on the trot put them six points clear. Then Dundrum staged a mini revival with scores from Paul McComiskey and Aaron Doyle as the game approached the halfway point.

With four points between the sides it was crucial that Dundrum got the next score. However, this did not happen and St Michaels found the net after Conor Hamill found himself in acres of space.

After the goal the Duns replied with a Cormac Venney effort which infact turned out to be the last for his side. St Michaels finished strongly and they added another goal and three points to their tally to put an even more impressive look on the scoreline.

This was a very one sided game and it was one in which St Michaels were worthy winners. Peter Cunningham was strong in goals and with the half forwards and half backs first to the break ball the Magheralin men had little problem in getting possession. Declan Lavery and Conor Hamill were the pick of the forwards with Brian Sweeney proving to be an excellent target man on the edge of the square.

Dundrum put in the effort but they were wasteful in front of goal and failed to win many break balls around the middle. In defence it was the reliable Paul Byrne and the driving force of Philip Shields that stood out. Aaron Doyle was Dundrum's most accomplished performer in midfield with his tireless work ethic and never say die attitude. The Duns forwards had a bad day at the office with only Paul McComiskey and Cormac Venney showing glimpses of their class.

This defeat means that Dundrum have nothing to show for their first two outings in Division 4. A change in attitude will be required if they are to overcome St Johns this Friday night.

St Michaels look a strong physical outfit and with maximum points after two games they will be a side to look out for. They totally outclassed Dundrum in this one and should be in the final reckoning for promotion come the season's end.

 

Dundrum: C.King, P.Byrne, J.McMullan, C.McKibbin, P.Shields, J.Hurley, J.McKibben, K.Walsh (0-02, 1 Free), A.Doyle (0-01), C.McShane, C.Kielty, P.McComiskey (0-03, 1 Free), C.Venney (0-02, 2 Frees), P.Doran, M.Coughlan. Subs: M.Melville, D.Campbell, K.Byrne