East Down Minor Football league Section B

Dundrum 2-08  Ardglass 4-13

When Ardglass operate as a team they gain the ability to play some very attractive football. At a soggy Ballykinlar on Sunday morning they did just that and came away with a thoroughly deserved win.

The Ardtole side looked the stronger team in the first half but it was the second half when they really came in to their own. Forefront to their success was the highly impressive James Telford. Telford drifted out of his full back berth and done a sterling job in restricting Dundrum's All Ireland winning minor star Paul McComiskey to a single point from play. Midfielders Marc Feenan and Michael Magee and forwards Patrick James, Matthew Rooney and Daniel Fitzsimons were others to impress in a very talented side.

Despite the first twenty minutes being quite nip and tuck, disaster struck for the Duns in the final five minutes of the half. The homeside were leading by a point when Ardglass were awarded a penalty. Captain Michael Magee elected to take it and his effort went straight down the middle and in to Eamon King's net.

Magee fired over a point shortly after before big Daniel Fitzsimons nestled his drive to the Dundrum net on the stroke of half time. Centre half forward Matthew Rooney then closed the half with a fine hit to give Ardglass a very encouraging six point lead.

With Dundrum in dissaray and Ardglass high on confidence there was only ever going to be one winner. This was signalled by Patrick James' goal after thirty seconds of the restart.

Ardglass continued to up their game and Dundrum really began to struggle. The crucial blow for them was a fourth and final goal from Ardglass. It came about after Magee's rasping drive slammed off the cross bar and bounced in front of goal. Daniel Fitzsimons was quickest to react as he slid in for his second major of the day.

Dundrum really tried hard to get back into the game with efforts from Kavanagh and McComiskey but Ardglass seemed to reply with three scores for every one that the Duns got. Michael Magee, Malachy Crangle and Daniel Fitzsimons were instrumental during these passages of play.

For the final eight minutes the Duns made a big push. Ardglass net minder Mark Armstrong was to deny them on two occasions though with excellent stops from Paul Rooney and Martin Willoughby. Then after much persistence Declan Kavanagh found the net twice within three minutes to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard.

This win was revenge for Ardglass after they suffered a heavy defeat to the Duns earlier in the season. They seemed more focused and fired up than their opponents and they definitely deserved the two points.

Dundrum: E.King, A.Robb, P.Cunningham, K.McShane, R.Fitzsimons, M.O'Rourke, B.Melville, M.Cunningham, D.Kavanagh (2-05), S.O'Rourke, P.McComiskey (0-02), A.Mageean, A.Rooney, P.Rooney (0-01), C.McCann. Subs: P.Curry, M.Willoughby.

Dundrum GFC Club Notes

* Senior training takes place tomorrow night (Thursday) at 7pm sharp. Players should bring indoor and outdoor gear with them.

This Sunday the side will play Bredagh in a challenge game. A venue and throw-in will be made available to players tomorrow night.

On Sunday past St Pauls defeated the Seniors by seven points in Holywood. The final score: St Pauls 1-10 Dundrum 1-03.

* The Reserves will take to the field this Sunday against Aughlisnafin in a friendly. Details of the game are available through Philip McGrattan or Liam McKibben.

* The Minors take on Loughinisland tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm in McCartan Park. On Sunday afternoon Ardglass proved too strong for the side and ran out convincing winners.

All Dundrum Minor players are requested to train with the Seniors from here on in.

* The U-16's went down to Teconnaught in their first challenge game of the season. Twenty players made themselves availalble for selection and a very useful game was had in the process.

Training takes place this Sunday at 4pm in Dundrum. Ballykinlar players will be collected at 3.30pm at the chippy in the village by Mark Smith.

* U14 training will continue in Ballykinlar on Monday 10th of April @ 7.00pm. Anyone requiring a lift should contact Tomas McShane(43751343) or Stephen Brennan(44812802 or 07740102408)

* Please take note that the balance orders for club gear have now arrived and can be collected at the clubrooms on Wednesday (tonight) at 7.30pm.Items that can now be collected are; Bronx Jackets,Tower Polo Shirts, Victory Training Pants, Replica Jerseys and Club Kit Bags.The following items are still a few weeks away; Maverick Rugby Shirts and College Jackets.
Please remember that no items will be handed over without payment -- NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

P.S. Martin Coughlan has now got stock of Baseball Caps and Beanie / Woollen Hats. If you want one of these items please contact him directly.