As a season progresses members of a team get to know their teamates strengths and weaknesses a whole lot better. This was very evident at Dundrum on Friday night as the hosts made the most of their strong resources whilst limiting the impact of their regular failings. The result was a composed performance and a vital two League points.

The Duns made the perfect start to this game. Paul McComiskey, Aaron Doyle and Martin Coughlan all registered on the scoreboard within the space of five minutes. Dundrum were looking very confident but they never forsaw the Liam Mullan sideshow that was about to air.

In the space of ten minutes Mullan weighed in with a personal tally of 0-04. His first two efforts were delightful dropkicks while his third was a long range free. His fourth score was just sheer class as he raced through the Dundrum defence before selling a dummy and then glancing his shot over the bar.

After a few defensive adjustments Dundrum regained control of the game. Mullan had given them a scare but they responded with purpose. The ever reliable Kieran Walsh lashed over a 21 yard free before the tigerish Declan Kavanagh goaled from close range. Kavanagh was in the right place at the right time as he palmed Paul Rooney's delicate pass beyond the grasp of Ardglass shotstopper Mark Armstrong.

Paul McComiskey's first converted free of the night on twenty one minutes extended the hosts lead to four points. However, Ardglass were starting to find a bit of rythmn and a Liam Mullan free reduced their arrears to three points.

Dundrum were in bullish mood though and the veteran Martin Coughlan pointed immediately before McComiskey split the sticks once more. Yet it was the men from the fishing village who finished the half stronger. Coaxed on by the experienced Chris Polly, Peter O'Shea's charges fired over four consecutive scores. Martin Curran, Paul Smyth, Chris Taggart and Martin McVickers all added to their team's cause and this left just one point separating the teams at PD Doyle's halftime whistle.

While the 1st half was a close enough matchup, the 2nd half turned in to a Dundrum scorefest. The Reds notched up 2-08 while the Greens of Ardglass could only muster 1-03. The latter's low score total was much to do with the fact that Philip Shields, John McKibben and John Hurley dominated the Dundrum defence allowing very little to pass them by.

It was Ardglass's Chris Deegans who grabbed the first score of the 2nd half to level the game. Unfortunately for Deegans his score meant little as Dundrum instantly found the net. The goal was the result of some good thinking by Paul McComiskey. McComiskey set himself up to take a pop at goal with a 45'. However, he quickly opted for a loopy pass in to Kieran Walsh. Walsh rose like a salmon and fetched the ball before turning and smashing his drive to the net. This set back Ardglass and for the remainder of the game they played second fiddle.

Martin Melville and Paul McComiskey then added further points to the Dundrum cause before Chris Taggart had himself an opportunists goal for Ardglass. This brought the away side back in to it but in all honesty it never looked like they would have the resolve to seriously challenge their soon to be conquerors.

After Taggart goaled the superb Aaron Doyle swapped scores with Chris Deegans but 1-06 without an answer back put Dundrum in to the ascendancy. Paul McComiskey (1-03), Kieran Walsh (0-01) and Chris Hogg (0-01) were the main scorers on show and despite a last hurrah from Deegans the victors held on for a much needed two points.

This game has effectively ended Ardglass's playoff aspirations. Dundrum have now given themselves a real chance of hitting the top four but there is still a lot to play for in Division 3 and no doubt there will be a few shocks come the seasons end.

Dundrum: C.King, N.McComiskey, P..Shields, J.McKibben, J.McMullan, J.Hurley, M.Melville (0-01), A.Doyle (0-02), K.Walsh (1-02, 2F), C.Hogg (0-01, 1F), P.McComiskey (1-07, 3F), D.Kavanagh (1-00), P.Rooney, C.Venney, M.Coughlan (0-02). Subs: C.McShane, NJ McLaughlin, R.Fitzsimons