Knee support denies shock of the season

Ormeau Park, Sunday 9 February 2003, 1:30PM

Dub FC (0)5 St. Matts FC (0)6

This was perhaps the most amazing match in the history of Dub FC. Playing against the best team in the first division Dub were prepared for a thrashing. St Matts expected to run up a cricket score in the end they were very lucky to win the match. Dub started the match amazingly and went ahead through a Cormac Kernan strike that hit the post and Mark Donnelly scored the rebound. A Quick McCollum throw set up McCusker for a super goal. Then McGaughry scored his trademark thunderbolt before Dickson put Dub and their supporters in seventh heaven with a fourth (although it was actually an own goal!) Poor defending allowed St Matts to pull it back to 4-3 at the break.

A great second have performance saw Dub match their illustrious opponentsfor much of the half. As Dub began to tire St MAtts equalised but amazingly with 12 minutes to go McGaughey scored what looked like the winner that would send the cup holders crashing out. The crossbar twice rescued Dub before St Matts got another equaliser with 3 minutes to go.

Just when it looked like golden goal extra time - John Quinn was injured he was told to stay down to kill time but his enthusiasm led him to get up then the ball was whipped out to the wing. M Smyth swung at it (he missed by an inch - he was hindered by his knee support!) the ball broke into the box - Goal- and heartbreak.

Shit happens but a fantastic performance and possibly the highlight of the season.

Goals: C Kernan, G Dickson, M Donnelly, S McCusker x 2

 

Sub M Donnelly for M Smyth 65 mins
Not used: K Hill, J Smyth
Booked: J Quinn (ungentlemanly conduct) 19 mins
S Doherty Late Challenge 67 mins

Ref: T Tracey

Squad

Mark Donnelly (sub 65 mins), Liam Gillen, Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, John Quinn, Shane McCusker, John Magee, Kristian Hill, Ryan McGaughey, Cormac Kernan

Subs

Michael Smyth (65 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Mark Donnelly Shane McCusker (2) Ryan McGaughey Gareth Dickson
Assists	-
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Shane McCusker