Dundrum marksmen humble Aughlisnafin

3 October 2012

FOR the fifth time in the club’s 78 year history the senior footballers of Dundrum will contest a Down JFC final after they overcame neighbours Aughlisnafin at Liatroim on Saturday.

The game itself was of poor quality throughout and Dundrum will be disappointed that they hit 17 wides over the course of the hour. Dundrum’s wing half back Chris Hogg surged forward early on to point the first score of the game. The ‘Fin quickly responded through a Paul Flanagan free before the talented James Brannigan pushed up and converted to establish a one point lead for the Annsborough-based side.

The Duns sensed that the ‘Fin were growing in confidence so they upped the ante as Kieran Walsh floated over a free before Paul McComiskey opened his account with a great score from play.

A major turning point in the game then arrived when Dundrum broke through to get their first of four goals. A piercing run from John Hurley had the ‘Fin defence on the back foot.

Aaron Doyle escaped their attention as Hurley laid the ball off to the rampaging midfielder. Doyle showed great composure to slam the ball to Marty Malone’s net as the ball flew in off the underside of the bar.

An excellent free from James Brannigan signalled that the ‘Fin weren’t going to lie down, but then the Duns struck for a second goal.

Paul McComiskey did all the ground work for this as he powered his way through numerous challenges before slipping the ball to Brendan Cunningham who made no mistake in finding the net.

As half-time approached McComiskey popped up with his second point, but the ‘Fin had the last say of the half as the pacy Colum McVeigh scored a wonder goal after a mix-up in the Dundrum defence.

Many anticipated a tight second half, but Dundrum used all their experience to close the game out in the third quarter. They started in the best fashion possible as Paul McComiskey hit their third major.

Brendan Cunningham had possession of the leather in the danger area, but he managed to release to McComiskey. The former county star then let rip to the onion bag as the Duns assumed a seven point lead.

Kieran Walsh’s second free added to the goal before that man McComiskey once again put his mark on the game with his second goal. Although this one wasn’t as smooth as the previous, it still had a huge bearing on the game as the ‘Fin seemed to wilt after it went in.

McComiskey blasted over a free shortly after his three pointer as Dundrum created a twelve point lead. The ‘Fin did offer some resistance through a James Brannigan free, but Kieran Walsh quickly responded with his third and final set piece of the afternoon.

Paul McComiskey followed this up with his fourth point to leave himself with a 2-4 total. Brendan Cunningham then rounded the Reds’ scoring tally off by pouncing late on to put his team’s total at 4-9.

In the final few minutes the ‘Fin managed to sweep over two further points, one from a Paul Flanagan free and the other from substitute Brendan Quinn.

Dundrum: E. King, R. Fitzsimons, C. McKee, P. Curry, M. Melville, J. Hurley, C. Hogg (0-1), K. Walsh (0-3, 3F), A. Doyle (1-0), C. King, M. Coughlan, P. McComiskey (2-4, 2F), B. Cunningham (1-1), C. McShane, C. Venney.

Subs: J. McKibben, C. Rooney, O. McKibbin, D. Campbell, P. Rooney (Moneylane).

Dundrum 4-9

Aughlisnafin 1-6

JFC SEMI-FINAL

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