East Down Minor Football League
Section B
Dundrum 7-02 Drumaness 1-08
A torrential downpour greeted
Dundrum and Drumaness as they took
to the field in this very
entertaining clash on a soggy
Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park,
Ballykinlar. However, the pelting
rain failed to dampen the spirits
of those involved and a superb
game of football followed.
It was Drumaness who came flying
out of the blocks at the
start. The Blues scored two
efforts in quick succession to
startle the homesters. Dundrum
then found their feet and in a
sweeping move in the forward line
Mick Robb combined with Richard
Fitzsimons and Martin Willoughby
to lace the ball into the
Drumaness net.
Most of the play in the first half
was concentrated around the middle
of the field but on a couple of
occasions Drumaness broke free and
in the space of nine minutes they
plumelled 1-02 without reply.
Although the Blues&nbs p;were
leading by four points Dundrum
came back strong in the closing
minutes. The rampaging Declan
Kavanagh struck two sweet points
and followed this up with a cheeky
goal to sneak the Duns a one point
lead at the break.
Dundrum had the wind behind their
backs in the second half and they
made it count. Dangerman Declan
Kavanagh converted two goals
either side of a Drumaness point
to put his side six clear.
Fairplay though to Drumaness. They
kept plugging away and their
efforts were rewarded with their
sixth point of the day.
However, there was no let up in
the Dundrum onslaught. Goals from
the tenacious Martin Willoughby
and a scrambled netbuster from
Marc Cunningham firmly put Dundrum
in the clear.
With ten minutes to go the Duns
made a trio of changes. This
allowed the Blues to grab two
scores from set peices. But it was
Dundrum who had the last laugh.
Star attacker Declan Kavanagh
broke through the Blue's ranks and
put the ball in Savage's ne t to
end the game on a high.
Just like in previous matches, it
was Dundrum's ability to get goals
that won them the game. Kavanagh
had a very good day at the office
ending up with 4-02. The defence
was marshalled superbly by Gavin
Murray, Paddy Cunningham, Anto
Robb and Kieran McShane. Marc
Cunningham was a tower of strength
at midfield and the attack had
superb assets in Martin
Willoughby, Barry Melville (when
he surged forward from wing back)
and man of the moment Declan
Kavanagh.
Both teams were understrength for
this encounter but the Duns showed
they had superior squad depth.
Kavanagh made the homeside tick
but some really hard grafting from
his teamates provided the basis
for this encouraging win.
Dundrum: E.King, A.Robb,
P.Cunningham, K.McShane, A.Mageean,
G.Murray, B.Melville, M.O'Rourke,
M.Cunningham (1-00), R.Fitzsimons,
D.Kavanagh (4-02), M.Willoughby
(1-00), C.McCann, M.Robb (1-00),
A.Rooney. Subs: L.Sm ith,
R.Cardwell
Dundrum GFC Notes
* Senior training will take place
tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30pm
sharp. Belfast players should meet
at the Parlour for the bus at 6pm.
Players are reminded to come
prepared for all eventualities and
bring both indoor and outdoor
gear.
There will be no training on
Friday night due to it being St
Patrick's Day. However, there will
be a challenge game against
Glasdrumman on Sunday. Last week
the game with Carryduff had to be
cancelled due to the weather.
* The Minors got back to winning
ways with a thumping 7-02 to 1-08
victory over Drumaness. This
Sunday they will face a very good
St Johns side at 12pm in
Ballykinlar. Dundrum players
should meet at the filling station
for 10.30am while Ballykinlar boys
should be at the pitch for
10.45am.
* The U-16 team completed their
first training session on Sunday
afternoon. Training will be held
again this Sunday at 4pm in
Dundrum. Ballykinlar players
should be at the chip shop in
their village for collection at
3.20pm. Dundrum players should be
at the pitch for 3.45pm.
If there are any queries regarding
training don't hesitate to contact
either Cormac Venney or Mark
Fitzsimons. Players are also
reminded to bring a water bottle
to each session.
The U-16 players and mentors would
like to wish Ballykinlar's Sean
O'Rourke the best of luck for
Friday when he will line out for
St Patrick's, Downpatrick, in the
final of the Loch An Iuir Cup at
Casement Park.
* Congratulations to Paul
McComiskey, Paul Rooney and
Michael Rooney who all played a
part in St Patrick's, Downpatrick,
march to the final of the McLarnon
Cup. The 'Red High' defeated St
Eunan's, Letterkenny by five
points on Saturday to secure a
game against La Salle in the
decider on the 25th of March.
* Well done to Declan Kavanagh and
Marc Cunningham on making it on to
the Down Minor Ulster League pane
l.
* Membership is now due. Senior
membership costs £25 while £5 is
the charge for juveniles. Two or
more children from the same family
can purchase a £10 family ticket.
* Fees for Yearbooks and DVD's are
now overdue. These have to be paid
ASAP to either the treasurer
Kieran McKibben or Mark Fitzsimons
* As part of our ongoing
development programme we are
holding an inaugural Raceday on
Friday 12th May 2006 at
Downpatrick Racecourse.
The event which costs £50 per
person includes race card and
admission for 7 races with the
first race at 5.45pm and a
three-course meal, with musical
entertainment and full use of
the marquee. Full details will
be published in the local press
before the event. The Raceday
will be an opportunity to
experience a different day out,
to thank your clients for their
loyalty, to entertain potential
business prospects or indeed
just to enjoy the occasion with
families and friends. There will
be a prize raf fle held during
the evening but more importantly
it is a great opportunity for us
all to socialise and enjoy a new
experience for the Club. Please
feel free to pass this
invitation on to any colleagues
or friends who may be interested
in attending the Raceday. Please
contact any of our Committee
Members or the website
administrator by email in the
upcoming weeks to finalise your
booking for the Raceday. Cheques
for £50 per person should be
made payable to Dundrum GFC
before 31 March 2005. More
details on the event will follow
in the next few weeks.
