Dundrum United captain Chris Hogg has praised his team’s strong start to the season, with the village side flourishing in Newcastle League Division 1. The club has also impressed in cup competitions, notably running Premier Division title challengers Downpatrick close in the Bobby Dalzell Cup, while the second team has returned to action after a two-season hiatus.
“It’s been a really enjoyable season so far,” Hogg said. “Numbers have been great. We’re getting anything from 20-30 players at training sessions, and the return of the seconds has helped immensely. The competition for places has definitely helped us get results on the pitch.” This is a marked improvement from last season, when Dundrum struggled to field a team and were often limited to 13 players.
To strengthen the squad, the club brought in former Tollymore United manager Phillip McGrattan and assistant Peter McCormick last June. Hogg said the new management has simplified communication, introduced younger players, and given the team a much-needed boost.
Dundrum are currently chasing Division 1 leaders Downpatrick IIs, who top the table with 37 points from 13 games, while the Reds sit six points behind with two games in hand. Both sides remain unbeaten, and their upcoming encounters promise to be decisive. Hogg highlighted Dundrum’s confidence going into the run-in, noting their narrow 4-3 defeat to Downpatrick’s first team earlier in the Bobby Dalzell Cup.
Weather disruptions have affected Dundrum’s momentum, with only two matches played in March. However, the squad has been strengthened by new signings Marty Devlin from Newcastle Town and Christopher Mulholland, alongside emerging talents Nathan Stone, Ciaran Walsh, and Zach McNerlin. Their contributions have been key to the club’s resurgence after two challenging seasons.
After finishing bottom of the Premier Division in 2023/24 and a mid-table Division 1 finish in 2024/25, Hogg believes the mix of experienced and young players positions Dundrum well for promotion. “Getting promoted was our aim at the start of the season, and we’re well equipped to do that,” he said. “We hope to push on with these young players and establish ourselves in the Premier Division again.”
