Dub Freedom Fighters deprived of victory

Cherryvale, Sunday 5 October 2003, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)2 Brookvilla FC (1)2

Kate Adie Exclusive:
Sun 5 October
Dub FC 2 Brookvilla 2

Trouble erupted between warring factions in Belfast this weekend. The notorious flashpoint in Cherryvale has been the scene of several skirmishes over the past few years. Initial reports suggested the Brookvilla Elite Guard had brought in reinforcements (including one of the ogres from the Lord of the Rings) for the pitch battle.

Several members of the Dub Freedom Fighters were missing including some of their special attack forces. Field Marshal Art ?Sick Note? Kernan had to rally his troops and entered the battle with an unfamiliar front line. With Chris H. away on overseas operations and Cormac Kernan still A.W.O.L. since the All-Ireland Final, Dub FF opened hostilities with Phil Doherty and Barry Gillen leading the assault. Other casualties for the encounter included Special Weapons and Tactics expert General John Quinn. Without General Quinn it was feared Dub would have no aerial firepower but cometh the hour, cometh the man. Sergeant Shane McCusker won every aerial battle he was involved in (apart from the ones with the big ogre fella). The Red Baron has earned his stripes and rumours suggest that he is in line for promotion to Captain.

Dub had the better of Brookvilla in the opening assaults with Dickson and McToal outflanking the opponents at will. It was only a matter of time before Brookvillas defences were breached and a great manoeuvre cut through the enemy with Phil Doherty finishing the attack with a precision laser-guided missile.

Brookvilla fought back and nearly broke through after some defensive communication problems. The UN Peacekeepers were finding it hard to keep control of the escalating hostilities, even with a Senior Weapons Inspector watching from the safety of the side of the pitch. After a series of questionable decisions, Dub were penalised for alleged human rights infringements and punished despite the best efforts of Rear Admiral Sean Doherty.

Peace broke out briefly with both sides evenly matched. Reinforcements were brought in for Dub as Barry Gillen was replaced by Chris Sherrard. However, things got worse as Dub failed to repel the increasing Brookvilla attacks. A heavy loss was prevented though as parity was restored - Phil Doherty was one of a number of Dub units who was subject to illegal ?Black Ops?. The peacekeepers again stepped in and honours were shared. Initial reports that the UN had hired Brian Clough for the job were unfounded.

The Dub squadron was boosted by the presence of Al-Quaeda?s leader within the ranks but it wasn?t enough to give victory. Dub brought in further reinforcements in the shape of Kristian Hill and Michael Smyth but it wasn?t enough.

Field Marshal Kernan is rumoured to be looking into alternative tactics. Back to the studio?

Goals:
P Doherty 25 mins Assist s McCusker
P Doherty 66 mins (Pen) Assist P Doherty not Ryan!

MOM: Shane Murphy

Squad

Sean Campbell (sub 72 mins), Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Barry Gillen (sub 45 mins), Gareth Dickson (sub 72 mins), Sean Mullan, Shane McCusker, Peter McToal, Ryan McGaughey, Phil Doherty

Subs

Chris Sherrard (45 mins), Michael Smyth (72 mins), Kristian Hill (72 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Phil Doherty (2)
Assists	Shane McCusker Phil Doherty
Yellow cards	Sean Doherty
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Shane Murphy