By Jonathan Brown
DUNDRUM player-manager Conor Gordon says he’s feeling positive about the club’s season after the villagers recorded a 4-2 win away to Downpatrick IIs on Saturday.
Dundrum came back from 2-0 down, with two goals from Shaun Keenan, a goal from Chris Hogg and a Patrick Cunningham strike turning the game on its head.
The result leaves the Reds third in Division One of the Newcastle League, ten points behind Downpatrick and 12 points off table toppers Cloughey, with three games in hand.
“To be sitting in third place after last season is very positive,” Conor said.
“The games we’ve lost so far have been close, and we’ve scored a lot of goals, which was a big emphasis at the start of the season, so I’m happy with things so far.
“It’s now about shoring up the defence and really giving it a push for the remaining games of the season.”
Last season was a miserable one for Dundrum, as they finished rock bottom of the Premier Division with one point and a goal difference of -68.
Gordon took up the role of player-manager at the start of the 2023/24 campaign and believes dropping down from the Newcastle League Premier Division has helped to rejuvenate the club.
“Dropping down from the Premier Division has helped us big time.
“There was a lot of players that faltered throughout last season, which was completely understandable with the way things were going.
“Now, everybody is back enjoying their football. Dropping down encouraged people to come back to the club and rebuild off the back of last year.
“It was such a poor season from us and I think going down was the best opportunity to get people back and enjoying their football.”
In the full article Gordon admits to having learned lessons last year, and points out a few reasons why Dundrum have enjoyed success this year.