Mitchels were in desperate need of a plumber on Thursday night as their defence leaked four goals in an entertaining Division 3 encounter in Dundrum.

Despite starting with purpose the Newry men soon lost their way and in the end they succumbed to a much more able outfit. An early five point lead they held was soon overcome by the Duns and this meant that Mitchels spent the 2nd half chasing shadows as thick fog comsumed the pitch.

Damien Kearney, younger brother of county star Stephen Kearney, grabbed the first score of the game before the hard running John Hurley restored parity for the homesters. Shortly after the game swayed in Mitchels favour when nippy corner forward Barry Heaney sped past his marker John McKibben en route to Colm King's goal mouth. Heaney held his nerve and hit the net to put the city side ahead by three.

Mitchels kept their good form alive in the first quarter through the excellent Eamon Pollack. The wizard of the wing dropped over two magnificent points to extend his side's lead to five points.

It would have taken fifteen Brian Dooher's to maintain the intensity levels that Mitchels had reached and as the Newry side faded the Duns upped their performance which saw them dominate the remainder of the half.

Two points in a row from Chris Hogg were followed up with a double from Declan Kavanagh before Paul Rooney delivered the Duns first three pointer of the night. Rooney possessed the end product after some interesting build up play from Aaron Doyle and Cormac Venney.

After the goal Dundrum captain Kieran Walsh brought the half to an end with a 45' to leave his team in charge by three points.

   Mitchels attempted to begin the 2nd half with the same level of performance that greeted their entrance in the opening quarter of the 1st half. However, despite Shane Cooney launching over a long range point, his teamates couldnt muster the energy to achieve a sustained period of dominance as the Duns took control for the rest of the game.

   Two goals in quick succession from Kieran Walsh and Cormac Venney ignited the homesters fire once more and with further scores arriving from the hugely impressive Jonathan McMullan and the tireless Conor McShane the Duns had one foot inside victory's door.

   Midway through the half Mitchels did attempt a comeback but there was only so much Eamon Pollack could have done. After sliding in a penalty, he rifled over a free and converted another chance from play to leave six points the difference between the entities.

   Dundrum finished strongly though as Declan Kavanagh lashed over his third contribution of the night. This rounded off a fine performance for the Down Minor who had been suffering from indifferent form over the past few weeks.

   To make matters worse for Mitchels Martin Coughlan was on hand to rasp home Dundrum's fourth goal of the night. It was just desserts for the hardworking attacker who had worked admirably all night around the middle of the park.

   With the Duns home and dry the finish to the match lacked any real panache as Paul Rooney swapped scores with Nigel Allen to leave Mitchels in arrears by nine points.

   This was not a bad game of football by any means but it was the more intelligent play of Dundrum that won the day. With Neil McComiskey and Martin Melville outstanding at the back and Chris Hogg and Declan Kavanagh on top in the forwards, it was always going to prove to be a difficult night for Mitchels. Dundrum will be very happy with the two points while Mitchels will have to up their game if they are to escape the relegation zone.

Dundrum: C.King, N.McComiskey, P.Shields, J.McKibben, J.McMullan (0-01), J.Hurley (0-01), M.Melville, K.Walsh (1-01, 1F), A.Doyle, C.McShane (0-01), C.Hogg (0-02), D.Kavanagh (0-03), M.Coughlan (1-00), C.Venney (1-00), P.Rooney (1-01). Sub: M.Cunningham.