Understandably, Kevin Keegan's return to Tyneside grabbed a lot of headlines this year as has the rise and fall of Avram Grant. The reinstatement of Art Kernan to the Dub FC management went by almost unnoticed but could end up being the most significant. His first act was to organise a friendly against local law team Bar FC, managed by Dubs own Docs. Grumblings could be heard throughout the Dub camp in preparation for the game. Even Premiership players are allowed a couple of weeks off at the end of the season but not so for Dub under new manager Kernan. You are having a laugh Art.
A few faces were missing from the Dub line-up and a few more started for the opposition. The turncoat scabs were Neil, Sean and Colm. There were, however, a few new faces and competition for places will hopefully be a feature this year.
Mark Harvey calmed the nerves with Dubs fastest ever goal at the start of any season - 1 minute 48 seconds into the game. Michael Smyth swung a corner in and Harvey got in the way and watched the ball ricochet over the line. The lead wasn't to last as Donal played the captain's role to perfection and gave away a questionable penalty. Sean Doc made his longest sprint of the year to claim the penalty which he coolly slotted past the Dub keeper. Dub had the lead again before the game was 10 minutes old as Phil headed home a great cross from the right wing by the returning Kevin Duffy. Who knew he had a left foot? The rest of the first half became a little scrappy and just before half time Bar equalised again as the Dub defence was caught napping. All this after Neil Smyth denied veteran striker/winger/midfielder/defender Dickson from close range.
The start of the second half was again tight and the clock showed the hour mark before Dub threatened to break the deadlock. A corner from Phil was controlled 25 yards out by Donal who hit the crossbar. Dickson was again denied by on-form Smyth as Phil neatly played him through the middle. Finally, the pressure from Dub was too much and Donal gave Dub the lead with a fine volley from the right of the penalty area. Dub finished strongly and Donal turned provider as his cross was met by the unmarked Cormac who finished from close range. Man of the match was Ryan McGurk - didn't put a foot wrong all day. Apart from their second goal.
An encouraging result for Dub and Art Kernan as Peter and Neil McCallum and Rory McEnhill made promising full debuts. I remember when Art was a nice fluffy manager - team masseurs, inspirational tapes, oranges at half time. It seems old age has really affected him. I mean, seriously, who starts pre-season in May? Next thing he'll probably expect us to train or something....
Squad
Peter McCallum, Mark Harvey,
Rory Mcenhill, Donal McCann,
Alan Plunkett,
Neil McCallum,
Michael Smyth, Conan Hodgkinson,
Gareth Dickson, Phil Doherty,
Ryan McGaughey,
John Magee, Kevin Duffy
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