Down ACFL Division 3: Dundrum 1-07  Saul 0-19

   Put quite simply, Saul were a class apart in this one sided Division 3 encounter. From the off they looked like a team brimming with confidence. They marked tightly at the back, imposed themselves at midfield and were very economical in the forwards. Their short passing game worked a treat and in the end the home team proved no match for them.

   Despite the Duns taking an early lead through Paul Rooney, four successive scores from Saul set the pattern for how the game would progress. Michael Vint landed a free from the 21' while Nathan Keenan converted a 14' before stabbing one over from wide on the right. The livewire Alan Murray also got in on the act with a sublime effort from distance.

   Dundrum's most liveliest attacker Cormac Venney then got Dundrum back into it and this was followed up with a beautifully crafted point from the free running Declan Kavanagh.

   However, Saul responded positively and another free from the boot of Keenan added to a fine solo effort from wing back Aodhan Brady.

   22 minutes in saw Saul commit their only blooper of the game. Some slack marking by Gregory Holland allowed Chris Hogg to fire to the net after some industrious donkey work from Kieran Walsh.

   Yet Saul's character was strong enough for them to get back into the contest immediately. Ryan Burns put over his only score of the night to put his side back in command by one point. Chris Hogg did level for the homesters straight after but a strong finish to the half from Joe Ritchie's lads saw the dangerous Nathan Keenan and the hard working Adam King convert chances to leave Saul ahead by two at half time.

   The 2nd half was all one way traffic for the inspired Blue and Golds. They outscored John McShane's men ten points to three and in all honesty they could of and should of had a lot more on the scoreboard.

   A very strong start from Saul which saw them plunder five scores in a row really dampened Dundrum's spirits. Chris Fitzsimons bagged the first, while the excellent Donnie Ritchie, Michael Vint, Nathan Keenan and Aodhan Brady all got in on the act. During this period Dundrum won a penalty but Kieran Walsh's shot was superbly saved by Stevie Stratton. This further compounded the Duns misery.

   Despite Cormac Venney and Kieran Walsh exchanging scores with Vint and Keenan, Saul always looked the stronger team in the last quarter. Vint's fourth free of the day and yet another spellbinding score from Alan Murray put Ritchie's men in to a very commanding nine point lead.

   The closing moments saw Saul very effectively retain possession. Paul Rooney did manage a last hurrah for Dundrum but  the final score of the game was left to the most impressive player on the pitch by a mile - Saul's Donnie Ritchie. The all action wing back sprung forward from Saul's rear, evaded three tackles before lauching a swivelled shot high into the air. The ball unexpectedly swerved and flew over Colm King's bar to rubber stamp Saul's emphatic 0-19 to 1-07 triumph.

   Saul's win was ultimately down to a team effort but certain individuals did stand out for them. Aodhan Brady and man of the match Donnie Ritchie were sublime in their defence. They both attacked at will whilst never forgetting their defensive duties. Adam King was excellent in midfield and his no nonsense style of play helped Saul win the lion's share of possession around the middle third. In the attack centre half forward Lee Magee got through a mountain of work and most of Saul's productive forward thinking play went through him. Alan Murray was a livewire throughout and his silky skills will trouble most markers in this Division. In the full forward line Nathan Keenan was superb. He ended up with a total of 0-06. Three of these came from set peices while three arrived from play. Michael Vint also had a good hour and linked well with Keenan on most occasions.

   Dundrum struggled badly with only Marc Cunningham, John McKibben and Chris Hogg producing anything near what they are capable of.

   Overall, there is no doubt that Saul were the better team in this one. Having now won six out of their past seven games they sit proudly in second position in the League. Reaching the Playoffs this year should not be a target but a mere formality for the Blue and Gold fleet.

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