Dunree exit cup to late Bell winner
Ulster Junior Cup  27.02.08

Quigley’s Point Swifts...1 (Bell ’81) Dunree United...0 by Jonathan Downey, Inishowen Independent, at Muff A SOLITARY goal from Point striker Donny Bell was enough to book Quigley’s Point Swifts’ place in the next round of the Cup. Despite having the lion’s share of the possession throughout the game, QPS struggled to break down the Dunree defence for 80 minutes, when a momentary lack of concentration from the visitors lost them the game.

This was the third fixture between the teams in a month and from the start it looked as if both teams had used experience in those previous games to change their approach. Both teams had beefed up their awareness and movement from the previous encounter. This was evident in the amount of chances, albeit mainly half-chances, they were creating. The first quarter offered a handful of opportunities between the sides. The Point’s Brian Clough-esque style of ground passing was showing promise against a sturdy Dunree backline led by Paul Craig. However shots by Bell and Burke were comfortably saved by Johnny Noone in the Dunree nets. Despite a significant cross-field wind in the first half, the long diagonal passing style from Dunree was causing some problems for QPS. If Kieran McGrory had been supported more swiftly then Dunree’s attacking play would been more fruitful. Nevertheless the away side were showing potential with their well-weighted passes, and even more so when attacking in numbers.

The left-back Barry Nixon in particular was making impressive runs up the flank. Twenty minutes had not passed when QPS goalkeeper Daniel Carlin unexpectedly retired. This led to some quick positional changes with winger Mark Duffy replacing the injured keeper in goals and Paul Hegarty as his replacement. Halfway through the first half Terry McColgan had a good effort when his free flashed over the bar. Replacement keeper Duffy was proving more than able in goals positioning himself well in efforts from McDaid and McGrory. A little touch by Bell let the cumbersome Burke through but the tight angle made it difficult to fire past Noone. The home side were looking better and more fluent on the ball in the latter stages of the half, with patience on the ball proving the catalyst.

The second half proved more up-tempo with neither side wanting this to go beyond the 90 minute mark. The vibrant Terry McColgan came out of his shell at the restart and immediately threatened the Dunree goal. After neat dribbling on the left-wing he turned inside only to see his shot sail past the post. In the 55th minute Paul Craig made a superb last second interception when Bell was released on goal but the Dunree man defended well to keep the visitor’s in the game. McColgan again was on hand to create an opening for himself but once again he lacked the accuracy for the sought after goal. Dunree were still in the game though, and sustained a period of pressure on the home goal. Kieran McGrory almost snatched the lead for his side when a tempting near post cross was narrowly headed wide by the front man. The Point at this stage was reduced to dead-ball situations. But Noone dealt comfortably with every shot with opportunity after opportunity failing to alter the score-line.

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