Dunmore Community School

On Thursday the juvenile boys lined out against Balla in Glenamaddy in a decider that dictated what team placed second in the group and ultimately whose season was going forward to the preliminary rounds. All indicators showed that these teams were similar in previous results and promised a tight match. Playing conditions were also to hamper the teams as rain persisted in the days leading up to and including the game.

The first half lived up to these expectations as the teams remained within reach of each other. Dunmore seemed to retain the majority of the possession and showed some skilful play but the scores were heavily worked for whereas while Balla who had less possession, their scores seemed to come handier and quicker. When it looked like we were nicely in front Balla came back and finished the first half at a point ahead with the score reading 2-7 to 2-6.

Second half was a completely different story. Dunmore having had a chance to reflect started to read the match better and judge their passes with more accuracy while taking their scores with confidence and efficiency that was lacking in the first half. This urgency from Dunmore forced Balla to play a defensive game with only two forwards remaining in our half and they remained scoreless for a good portion of the second half scoring only 3 points when they did get the chance. Dunmore on the other half hand had found the back of the Balla net and scored a staggering 6 goals in the second half alone.

The final score read 8-12 to 2-11 to a deserving Dunmore team. An excellent display of skill and teamwork made this a beautiful game to watch for the Dunmore side and ensures the Juvenile boys a continued campaign. Training will continue next Tuesday rather than Monday due to the in-service day. Will run from 4-5 and will be in astropitch so all players are asked to bring trainers.

In horrific conditions, Dunmore played Ballygar in their Senior girls’ football campaign. Bitterly cold with strong gusts and stinging heavy rain and sleet meant that this was going to be no easy task.

Playing into an unwavering breeze in the first half challenged our girls with many of our shots falling short into the goalie’s hands as well as forcing our girls to work harder at carrying the ball with passes being unreliable and unpredictable. At halftime, we saw ourselves down by 5 points with the score reading 1-10 to 1-5 to Ballygar.

The determination and positivity of the Dunmore ladies were not to be quashed however and the second half saw a revitalised Dunmore team with some beautiful passages of play. Having the advantage of the wind at our backs definitely helped spur the team on. Early in the second half Dunmore took their scores with confidence and drew the game level. However, clenching those winning scores was just out of grasp and the game remained nail-bitingly tense as the teams remained level yet both made strong attacks. Special commendation must be made to the girls on their defence all over the pitch as many advances were foiled and the ball recovered. In fact, so good was the defending and reading of the game that Dunmore held Ballygar scoreless in the second half.

Unfortunately, we just missed out on the win as some pressurised shooting lead to near misses as well as there being a questionable disqualification of a second-half Dunmore goal. The game ended drawn with 1-10 a piece to both teams. Fair play to all the ladies that travelled and togged in this weather, especially our subs as it was fiercely cold with no shelter. Your efforts are appreciated! Keep up the good work