BATTLING COMEBACK BY BRAVE DUB AGAINST BARBARIANS

Thursday 5 June 2008, 6:45PM

Dub FC (1)4 Belfast United (2)4

This was the third in a series of pre-season fixtures organised by returning sick note (sorry I mean gaffer) Art Kernan with a view to restoring some pride and unity after a disjointed season resulting in the club's relegation from the Premier Division. The squad are now looking forward to the hard work of Art's creative pre-season programme which begins in July - who knows what the boss has in store this year although if previous pre-season sessions are anything to go by we can look forward to train rides, trips to the beach, peach cider, vomiting, chicken wings, big brother guest appearances .. oh and some running up hills in between.

Dub had come into this game on the back of two high scoring victories and consequently expectation levels among the massive travelling support (well Gareth anyway, and he is quite hefty) were high that they could continue their recent success. Art kept up his policy of introducing fresh faces who met the stringent Dub selection criteria ie two legs and a heart beat. The new players, Philly, Connor, David and Andy were easily integrated into the well oiled Dub machine with Neil Smyth making a return between the posts (he just about fitted) The game also marked the return of John 'fun sized crunchie' (King-sized Mars bar) Magee who made a cameo appearance as a second half substitute. John has been out for a number of months with stage 4 tendonisis. (I have never heard of it either - John has asked any doubters to check out the following site to read more about the debilitating effects of this serious condition - http://www.achillestendon.com ) Anyone considering making a donation to the Crunchie Foundation should speak to Art.

Dub started nervously and managed to score against the run of play in the 22nd minute when Andy played in Donal McCann who finished gloriously from the right edge of the box. It was a superb strike and set the tone for another masterful display from the man who will be playing Irish league football by 2030 (his prediction) Dub retreated into their own half following the goal and conceded a free kick in a dangerous area following a foul by McCann. The ball was swung over and met with a powerful header by Manus who was one of the standout players for the Barbarians. The B's edged into the lead on 33 minutes when a free kick proved too hot to handle for the Dub keeper who was too busy having a yarn with Magee behind the net about how fat they are both getting. The ball was parried to an onrushing striker who tapped in from close range.

Half time saw a change as Art punished Donal for playing well in midfield by pushing him up front and moved Philly into the middle. The Downpatrick man had an assured game, although his composure on the ball and eagerness to find feet was not conducive to the Dub footballing philosophy - lump it up the pitch.

Dub equalised on 50 minutes with a neat finish by Cormac following some good work on the right wing by Connor. Dub fell behind on 55 minutes as the entire defence rushed out of their own half with cries of 'step up' even though the Barbarian forward simply ran past them all and finished easily.

Dub then conceded another as Smyth slipped on the wet pitch spilling the ball to the opposition who went two up. The fight back was swift, however, with two goals coming in the space of two minutes from Cormac and Donal on 68 and 69 minutes. Cormac lobbed the keeper from 25 yards out while Donal ended an excellent run by taking it around the keeper and slotting it home. The travelling support had thought Donal - a big fan of Man Utd - was going to emulate his boyhood hero George Best and roll the ball in with his head given the amount of space he had but there was no sight of any stray chicken wings on the ground to tempt him so he decided to stay on his feet and earn Dub the draw and also pick up the man of the match award for another fine performance.

The match ended in controversy when on 74 minutes the Referee awarded the opposition a free kick near the Dub by line. This followed an incident between Dub defender Sean Doherty and a Barbarian midfielder in which the latter clearly dived looking for a free kick. Sean politely questioned the Ref's decision and could be heard asking ' Surely Mr Parkinson you should reconsider your decision as no foul was committed. The player has clearly simulated a foul, ' remarkably, however, Ron misheard this believing that Sean had told him to 'fxxx off you fxxxin wxxxker' and issued a red card. The two made up in the changing room after the game when Ron complimented Sean on his lovely red hair and Sean admired Ron's extensive collection of antique gold chains and sovereign rings.

Team; Smyth, David, S Doherty, Harvey, P Doherty, Oakes, Mullan, McCann, Bowd, Blaney,Kernan. MOM McCann - Ref Ron

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Squad

Conor Blaney, Cormac Kernan, Alan Plunkett, Neil Smyth, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, David Green, Philip Oakes, Donal McCann, Sean Mullan, Andy Bowd, Phil Doherty

Subs

John Magee (80 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan (2) Donal McCann (2)
Assists	Sean Mullan Andy Bowd Conor Blaney
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	Sean Doherty
Man of the match	Donal McCann