The jokes get worse from here ? read on if you must...
Some compared the league newcomers to the failed Apollo 13 mission ? much promise until disaster struck. And it was a 13th win this season for Dub and ace marksman Cormac Kernan's 13th consecutive scoring game.
C Kernan looks for Smyth from the corner flag
The promotion battle is really "taking off" after this weeks results. The top spot in the league is up for grabs but who will win the race for this space? Dub, Apollo and Knock have all made great starts in the league but the coming weeks will really sort the men from the boys. Dub knew they needed a result against ?high-flying? Apollo 11 and by full time the importance of this match was put into perspective as reports came in that Knock had continued their winning streak ? next weeks match is now being billed as Judgement Day: The Lark in the Park.
Dub started the match in impressive form, pressing every one of the opposition "Challenger"s. Adverse ground conditions made the passing game difficult so it was no surprise that the first breakthrough came from yet another set piece. Dickson was again the provider as another inswinging corner broke the deadlock. Sean Mullan was in the air so long he seemed to be in orbit. On re-entry he powered a bullet header into the back of the net. 1-0 Dub.
Apollo were far from beaten as they seemed to keep possession of the ball but the airtight Dub defence prevented anything but a couple of long range efforts that didn't trouble stand-in keeper Liam McCollum. Continued pressure from Dub gave a second chance. Dickson drew his defender out of position allowing Phil Doherty to get on the end of a long ball over the top. He pushed into the box before giving a square ball to Cormac who finished from short range. The half time whistle went and Dub were happy to leave the field at 2-0.
After a severe lapse in concentration after half time last week, Dub were determined to start the second half as they finished the first. This time they did and an early goal effectively sealed the match. Ryan "Armstrong" McGurk "launched" a trademark long throw into the box and Phil got on the end of it to make it 3-0. Apollo 11's heads dropped and Dub began to run riot.
10 minutes later Cormac got a Big Ron's spot-of-the-week for calling Michael Smyth well before he sent in another inswinging corner. Smyth showed that he doesn't just dribble past 5 players every time he touches the ball as he finished with another great header. Cormac got his second goal before setting up Sean Mullan with possibly the best move of the game to complete the mission at 6-0. Cormac won Man of the Match after 2 goals and 2 assists.
Mark Harvey was unlucky to hit the post from another inswinger ? Dub now threaten with every set play in the opposition half of the pitch. There is a quiet confidence in the squad now ? strong defence and plenty of industry and ideas coming from the midfield. McCusker and Mullan have created a good partnership in the centre of the pitch ? one onlooker commented that it was like silk and steel while another mentioned something about dumb and dumber.
Shane Murphy had another solid game and Peter McToal made up for his speculative cross/shot/pass/charity ball with a few important defensive challenges.
The statistics speak for themselves ? Cormac has scored in every game this season, Phil and Sean Mullan are averaging over a goal a game and Cormac and Gareth are both averaging an assist a game or better.
The Dub management are said to be "over the moon" with the performances but are trying to keep their feet on the ground. Every game is to be taken as it comes but every victory is "one small step" towards the title. Another performance like this against Knock would be a "giant leap" towards promotion.
Watch this "space".
Squad
Michael Smyth, Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, Sean Mullan, Shane McCusker, Peter McToal, Ryan McGaughey (sub 60 mins), Cormac Kernan, Phil Doherty
Subs
Chris Sherrard (60 mins), John Magee (65 mins), Art Kernan (75 mins)
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