Down Minor B Football Championship Semi Final

Bosco 3-08  Dundrum 2-14

 

The mind, the heart and the ball are the three main ingredients that contribute to winning football games. Dundrum took all three of these and used them to the full to overcome a superbly talented Newry Bosco outfit.

This match was a high octane rollercoaster of an event. The quality of football on show from both teams was pure poetry at times. Bosco were physically bigger but the greater desire of the Dundrum lads offset this advantage. The tackles flew in, the shoulder hits were bone crunching and the total 100% committment from both entites was there for all to see.

Bosco got off to the better start. A well worked goal in the first minute gave the Newry men a slight physcological advantage.Dundrum immediately countered through an excellent solo effort from wing back Declan Kavanagh. The fearless attacker rode through a storm of tackles before expertly chipping his effort over the bar. Points were then exchanged between Bosco's Conor Quinn and Dundrum's Paul Rooney as the first ten minutes of play concluded.

At this stage both sides began to settle. Shane Kavanagh had himself a good point before Bosco grabbed two in a row. Paul McComiskey then raced up the pitch and fired over a fine score to leave Bosco in charge by a point with the first quarter over.

By this stage the Yellows were playing some great football. Another point from a set peice threatened to provide them with a platform to go on to greater things. However, a match altering goal from Paul McComiskey turned the tie in Dundrum's favour for the first time in the contest.

Chris Hogg tagged on with a free but Bosco fought tooth and nail for an equaliser and it deservedly came. The game returned to all square at his stage. Then just as the half hour mark approached the ball dropped loose in the Bosco goalmouth. Kieran Murtagh and Niall Rice tried valiantly to clear the danger but Dundrum's Mark Smith had the final say as he rattled the ball into the net with a spectacular half volley. This give the seasiders a much needed lead at the break.

The 2nd half witnessed some great passages of play as the standard on show reached new heights.Bosco were first to draw blood but a fantastic 12 minute period saw Dundrum convert four on the trot. Paul McComiskey sent over two trademark efforts while the workhorse Michael Rooney and livewire Declan Kavanagh tagged on with another two. Just after Kavanagh's effort Conor McShane was desperately unlucky when his amazing curling effort from 25 yards out crashed against the crossbar. That 8 inches of metal deprived McShane of an absolute peach of a major.

After McShane's agonising miss Bosco pointed to reduce their arrears to 5 points. However, Dundrum's stranglehold soon continued as a treble of scores arrived in quick succession. Chris Hogg picked off a great free before the unstoppable McShane tore through the Bosco defence to score two precious points.

Dundrum's exertions were starting too take their toll. A disallowed goal also didnt go down well. This enabled Bosco to create an opening which saw young Kyle Brennan skip through the Dundrum defence and fire past the unlucky Jordan Kennedy. This brought Larry McAlinden's men back within five points of their opponents.

With only 5 minutes to go the Duns sprung back in to action. Expert free taker Chris Hogg sailed over a couple of 21's to restablish his side's 7 point advantage.

Then came the most tense moments of the game. Bosco won a penalty after Simon Taylor was dragged down in the box by Richard Fitzsimons and Declan Kavanagh. Taylor then stepped up and coolly slotted the ball in to the corner.Another well worked move yielded another Bosco score. A goal was all that remained between the factions at this stage.

The game fizzled out with Dundrum throwing themselves at everything Bosco were initiating. Courageous tackling and fearless ball winning were commonplace as Dundrum held out for a momentous victory after 4 minutes of added on time.

Bosco looked shellshocked at the death. They tried everything in their arsenal but in the end it just wasn't enough. Starmen on the day for them were Gavin Moan and Kieran Murtagh at the back, Richard Kimberly in midfield and Niall Mulvaney and Kyle Brennan in attack.

Dundrum had a team that was prepared to work hard for their victory. Jordan Kennedy was sound in goals. Kieran McShane and Paddy Cunningham were tenacious in the tackle while Hugh Robb minded the house very effectively. Declan Kavanagh, Marc Cunningham and Barry Melville were a sturdy wall in the half back line with Cunningham's high fielding and Kavanagh's penetrating runs particularly eyecatching. Richard Fitzsimons also did a solid job when introduced for Melville in the 2nd half. Midfield was a scrappy affair with Martin Melville and Michael Rooney prepared to put their bodies on the line whenever called upon. The deadly triumverate of Conor McShane, Paul McComiskey and Chris Hogg caused havoc in the half forwards while Mark Smith, Paul Rooney and Shane Kavanagh were reliable as ever in the last line of action.

Dundrum now face favourites Teconnaught in what should be a classic Final. The Annacloy men will be hoping to do a League and Championship double to round off an extremely successful year.

 

Dundrum: J.Kennedy, K.McShane, H.Robb, P.Cunningham, B.Melville, M.Cunningham, D.Kavanagh (0-02), M.Melville, M.Rooney (0-01), C.McShane (0-02), P.McComiskey (1-03), C.Hogg (0-04, 4 Frees), M.Smith (1-00), P.Rooney (0-01), S.Kavanagh (0-01). Subs: R.Fitzsimons, M.Robb, A.Rooney.

 

 

ACFL Division 4 Promotion Playoff

St Pauls 0-03  Dundrum 0-09

 

Dundrum arrived at St Mochai's Park, Darragh Cross, with only one thing on their minds, achieving Division 3 status for the 2006 season. That objective could only be fulfilled with a combination of hard work and determination. Dundrum did the necessary and in the end came out convincing winners.

The game itself never really got going. Dundrum dominated the 1st half. A couple of frees from Kieran Walsh, a great effort from Paul McComiskey and a 21' apeice from McMullan and Venney helped the Duns secure a good cushion going in at halftime. St Pauls best player on the day Eunan Donnelly weighed in with a set peice just before the whistle to round off a disastrous first half for the Holywood men.

The 2nd half was a non starter as Dundrum dug deep to repel the St Pauls threat. The Saints opened the scoring but McComiskey and three fine points from play from Walsh give John McShane's side a big advantage over their battling rivals. The Holywood side managed to grab the last of the game but it just proved too little too late.

Dundrum's win was built on solid defensive displays from Neil McComiskey and Jonathan McMullan. Strong midfield play from Aaron Doyle and a great workrate from Paul McComiskey helped secure a much needed promotion for the Duns.

 

Dundrum: C.King, P.Shields, C.McKibbin, N.McComiskey, J.McMullan (0-01,1 Free), J.Hurley, J.McKibben, A.Doyle, K.Walsh (0-05, 3 Frees), C.McShane, C.Kielty, P.McComiskey (0-02), C.Venney (0-01, 1 Free), P.Doran, M.Coughlan. Sub: C.Hogg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dundrum GFC Club Notes

* The Seniors beat St Pauls by 6 points in Darragh Cross on Saturday evening to secure a berth in Division 3 for the 2006 season. This capped of a great week for the club after the superb JFC triumph over Bright.

Derry side Steelstown will be the opposition in the Quarter Finals of the Ulster Club JFC. This match will take place on the 30th of October with St Patricks Park, Newcastle, being the likely venue.

* The Minors put in a remarkable performance against Bosco on Sunday afternoon in Kilcoo to progress to the Final of the Down Minor B Football Championship. Here they will meet old foes Teconnaught in what should be a terrific battle. The 23rd of October is the date for the decider.

* The U-16's League Final against Saul has still to be arranged. Players will be contacted during the week in regard to training arrangements.