ACFL Division 3: Bosco 1-11 Dundrum 0-12
By
Marc Mac Siomoin
[marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
A
goal from Bosco's Francie Downey early
in the first half proved the difference
between two well matched teams in a
pulsating clash at Jack Mackin Park.
Downey's major was just reward for a
Bosco team who dominated the possession
stakes for the majority of the first
half.
In
fairness though to Dundrum, they did
manage to respond to most of Bosco's
efforts and at halftime there was only
three points in it.
It
was the goalscorer Downey who got the
first score of the game. Dundrum's
Kieran Walsh immediately replied with a
free but Neil Tumilty proceeded to break
through the Dun's rearguard and fire
over to put the Newry men up by a point.
Shortly after Tumilty's heroics Downey
buried to the Dundrum net after Keith
McCrink's long searching pass fooled the
away side's full back line.
Kyle Brennan kept the Bosco momentum
going with a fine long range effort but
Conor McShane was quick to reply for
Dundrum.
Bosco were hogging possession at this
stage and their long high balls forward
were causing all sorts of problems for
the Duns. Brennan and Tumilty then added
to their side's total with expertly
executed frees before Paul McComiskey
hit back for the opposition.
With ten minutes remaining Dundrum were
beginning to catch on to the long ball
tactic which was being utilised by Bosco.
John Hurley was deployed as a sweeper
and this seemed to steady the ship for
John McShane's men.
Captain Kieran Walsh got his team back
on track with a '45 but this was
repelled by an excellent long range
score by Bosco midfielder Martin Duggan.
As
halftime got nearer both teams were
fighting tooth and nail to get hold of
the ball. Dundrum looked the hungrier at
this stage and the impressive Cormac
Venney bagged two late crucial scores to
get his side within three of the hosts.
The
second half was extremely tight as
Dundrum outscored their opponents six
points to five. That elusive goal evaded
the Duns, however, they made Bosco fight
to the death for their victory.
Paul McComiskey kickstarted the second
period with an easy '14 before Bosco
countered with a '21. McComiskey then
came deep from the resultant kickout,
took possession and shot on sight to get
himself his third of the night.
Yet
again though Bosco managed to comeback
with a score but the Duns didn't let the
Newry men get too far ahead. Walsh and
McComiskey both registered to put
a
solitary point between the warring
factions.
With eleven minutes remaining Dundrum
really needed the next score. It wasn't
to be however as McComiskey missed a
simple enough free. Bosco had themselves
a further two points to re-establish
their three point lead.
With the clock ticking the Duns went
hell for leather. Walsh pointed and
Venney added his third of the night to
bring the minimum between the sides once
again.
However, Bosco fought it out to the
bitter end and despite being under
severe pressure Brennan sailed over a
free in injury time to seal the win for
the city side.
In
all truthfullness this was a really
exciting game of football. The fact that
Dundrum never once held the lead maybe
showed that Bosco held a very
slight advantage over the hour.
The
city men had strong performances at the
back from Ryan Lynch, Collie Keenan and
Rory Mulvaney. Neil Conlon was very
industrious at midfield while Neil
Tumilty, Kyle Brennan and star man
Francie Downey were most impressive in a
free flowing attack.
Dundrum were best served at the rear by
Philip Shields and their half back line
trio. Aaron Doyle was workmanlike at
midfield while Chris Hogg and senior
debutant Shane Kavanagh were most
prominent in attack.
Although dissapointed in defeat newly
promoted Dundrum can hold their heads
high. They put in a good hour's work but
Bosco's experience at this level just
about edged it for them.
Dundrum: C.King, M.Rooney, J.Hurley,
P.Shields, J.McKibben, M.Melville,
N.McComiskey, K.Walsh (0-04, 4 Frees),
A.Doyle, C.Venney (0-03, 1 Free),
P.McComiskey (0-04, 1 Free), C.McShane
(0-01), S.Kavanagh, C.Kielty, C.Hogg.
Sub: D.Kavanagh
