Down ACFL
Division 3: Dundrum 2-12 Bosco
2-10
Bosco made the
long journey to Dundrum more in
hope than in anticipation. They
lethargically filtered in to the
away changing rooms ten minutes or
so before the throw-in time of
7.30pm. A cluster of Dundrum
supporters who were standing close
by were stunned. What they they
saw going in to the clubroom
facilities wasnt a group of men at
the peak of their powers but a
nervous bunch of teenagers ready
to take on the mantle left behind
by a large group of players who
decided to venture to America for
the Summer. Although a little bit
tentative and inexperienced, these
young warriors took to the battle
field courageously and fought
tooth and nail to the bitter end.
However, victory eluded them on
this occasion.
In the previous
round of fixtures Dundrum got
their season back on track with a
big win over struggling Aghaderg.
They were going in to this one on
a high. Bosco suffered a drubbing
against a rejuvenated Clan na
Banna. Morale wasnt exactly high
in the Newry camp.Everything
pointed to a handsome win for the
Duns here but it didnt exactly pan
out like this.
Infact it took
eight minutes of end to end action
before the first score of the game
arrived. It came in the form of a
goal from Dundrum wing forward
John McKibben. The major was a
result of some very enduring but
patient build up play between all
six of the homeside's forward
unit.
The goal give
the Duns a big lift and five
successive scores from Declan
Kavanagh (0-01), Cormac Venney
(0-01) and Paul McComiskey (0-03)
put the homesters eight clear
after the first quarter.
Bosco soon
composed themselves and a well
worked point came their way.
However, the enigmatic Paul
McComiskey put paid to the Newry
men's exertions when he fired over
two scores on the trot.
Yet Bosco
werent going to lie down and take
a beating. They replied to
McComiskey's double with a goal
and a point. At this stage it was
obvious that the Dundrum defence
was having trouble coping with the
speed of the Bosco forward line.
This would become more apparent in
the latter stages of the 2nd half.
The half closed
out with both sides exchanging
scores. The pick of these was an
excellent effort from Paul
McComiskey from forty yards out.
The 2nd half
saw Bosco up their game
considerably. They came out of the
blocks fighting and their pressing
play unsettled a poor Dundrum to
no end.
A couple
of early missed chances from the
Newry men cost them a bit and it
was Dundrum's Declan Kavanagh who
seized the chance of getting the
first score of the half.
Bosco replied
immediately but shortly after a
wonderfully co-ordinated short
hand passing team move from the
Duns produced a goal. Cormac
Venney was the man to get the last
touch as he fisted to the net
after Chris Hogg had unselfishly
laid the ball off when the goal
chance was on for him.
Goal provider
Hogg then latched on an over to
put the homeside in the lead by
nine points. From here on in Bosco
took the initiative and drove
forward with purpose to eventually
come with in two points of their
conquerors.
With thirteen
minutes to go the Newry men
exchanged scores with Paul
McComiskey and John McKibben. Then
the Mo Rooney managed team went in
to full flight and banged in 1-03
without reply. Another goal looked
ominous for them but the Duns
weathered the storm and managed to
keep the Bosco at bay until Martin
Rawlinson sounded his whistle with
four minutes of injury time played
much to the delight of the home
support.
This very young
Bosco team should improve immensly
as the weeks go by. Dundrum have
now picked up maximum points from
their past two games. However,
huge improvement is needed if they
are to climb up the Division 3
ladder.
Dundrum: C.King,
M.Rooney, M.Melville, N.McComiskey,
D.Murphy, M.Cunningham, J.McMullan,
J.Hurley, A.Doyle, D.Kavanagh
(0-02), P.McComiskey (0-07),
J.McKibben (1-01), C.Hogg (0-01),
M.Coughlan, C.Venney (1-01). Subs:
P.Rooney, P.Doran, M.Murray.
