The U-21 footballers of Aughlisnafin, Ballykinlar and Dundrum created a little bit of history on Sunday afternoon in St Pauls when they became the first team to lift the Pat McCashin Cup.

The amalgamated side entered the game as underdogs but a spirited and disciplined performance resulted in them becoming the inaugural East Down U-21 B champions.

Key to Naomh Seosamh's win was the battling performance of Martin Melville at centre half back and the scoring prowess of Paul McComiskey. Melville played like a man possessed. He fielded numerous balls around the middle whilst his distribution and general leadership were second to none. McComiskey yet again delivered the goods. His total of 1-08 was testament to his drive and courage on the day.

Others to stand out for the winners were Colm King in goals, Barry Mageean, Neil McComiskey, Gavin Grant and Michael Rooney in defence with impressive performances from midfield duo Aaron Doyle and John McKibben also catching the eye of the spectators.

Ardglass were installed as big favourites for this game. However, it was their ill-discipline which cost them dearly. A flurry of yellow cards came their way for dissent to referee and to cap it all off they had four players red carded in the last minute of the game for hounding the man in the middle.

However, the green and yellows had a star in wing forward Liam Mullan. The nippy attacker was the fulcrum of all their attacks. His total of 0-08 was very much deserved. Others to show well were midfield anchor man Philip Gill and playmaker Matthew Rooney.

Ardglass began the game in whirlwind fashion. Matthew Rooney (0-02) and Liam Mullan (0-01) got their side off to a flyer. It took nearly ten minutes before Naomh Seosamh got going. McComiskey opened their account with a free.

Minutes later the amalgamation took a shock lead. The roving Dylan Murphy won a free out on the sideline. McComiskey took it quick as his short ball found Paul Rooney. Rooney soloed past Martin McVickers before releasing the ball over the top to Declan Kavanagh. Kavanagh took the ball at pace and fired to the net to cap off a wonderful peice of build up play. Directly after the goal McComiskey tagged on a free to leave Ardglass trailing by two after fifteen minutes.

That five minute onslaught from the amalgamation made Ardglass sit up and take notice. Michael Magee immediately replied to bring the minimum between the sides again but the red hot McComiskey fought back with a well hit free.

However, Ardglass upped their game considerably and three fine scores in a row from Rooney (0-01) and Magee (0-02) put their team back in the lead.

This lead however was to be short lived. Naomh Seosamh introduced former county Minor Marc Cunningham and Chris Hogg. This give Paddy Doherty's charges fresh impetus as the livewire McComiskey proceeded to point his third free of the day just before he snuck in for a close range goal.

This major left Naomh Seosamh buzzing and as they took their eye off the prize Ardglass concluded the half with a Liam Mullan double. This meant that a solitary point was all that separated the sides at the break.

The second half was not as high scoring as the first but it was fuelled with incident. For twenty five minutes it was the tale of the two scoring magicians, Mullan for Ardglass and McComiskey for Naomh Seosamh. The latter bagged 0-05 while the former converted 0-04. Nobody else got a look in. This left the amalgamation entering the closing stages with a two point cushion.

However, it was the final five minutes that produced all the thrills and spills. Naomh Seosamh's Dylan Murphy had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed while his corner forward counterpart Paul Rooney hit the bar.

Yet there was one man who was not going to be denied. With only a minute left on the clock Paddy Doherty sent on Aughlisnafin's Sean Willoughby. Willoughby is usually utilised at corner back but he was thrust into the full forward line as his side desperately looked to close off the game. And after a loopy Gavin Grant pass was collected by Kavanagh, Willoughby soon found himself in possession and there was only one place where the ball was going - into the Ardglass net.

Willoughby emerged the hero and despite Ardglass having four players sent off in the dying seconds nobody could tarnish the achievements of  the underdogs of Naomh Seosamh.

An Riocht will be the opposition for the amalgamation in the county B Final. Yet again, Naomh Seosamh will step into unknown territory undaunted and unfazed by their more illustrious opponents. Who knows what Christmas might bring for the lads of Ballykinlar, Aughlisnafin and Dundrum?

Naomh Seosamh: C.King, M.Rooney, B.Mageean, K.McShane, G.Grant, M.Melville, N.McComiskey, A.Doyle, J.McKibben, C.McShane, P.McComiskey (1-08), D.Kavanagh (1-01), D.Murphy, M.Smith, P.Rooney.

Subs Used: C.Hogg, M.Cunningham, S.Willoughby (1-00).

Subs Not Used: B.Quinn, S..Kavanagh, M.Fitzsimons, J.Hanna, A.Robb, R.Fitzsimons, M.Robb.

Dundrum GFC Club Notes

* Congratulations to the Naomh Seosamh U-21 team who annexed the East Down U-21 B Championship and lifted the Pat McCashin Cup at the expense of Ardglass at St Pauls on Sunday afternoon. In what was a terrific game the lads emerged victorious on a 3-09 to 0-13 scoreline.

This now means that the team will go forward to face An Riocht in the first ever Down U-21 B Championship Final. The game is to be played on Saturday with a venue to be arranged by the end of the week.

Well done to the management team of Paddy Doherty (Ballykinlar), Paul Reynolds (Ballykinlar), John McShane (Dundrum) and Joe Scullion (Aughlisnafin).

Also a big thanks goes to the Ballykinlar social club for the meal they provided after the game. It was much appreciated by the players.

There will be a training session in Ballykinlar on Wednesday night at 7.30pm in preparation for the Final. Dundrum players should meet at the Vivo for 6.45pm while Ballykinlar players should be at their pitch for 7pm.