MATCH REPORT: Crusaders AFC 0 – 1 Dunmore East

Azzurri 4^th Division | 27th April 2025

After some touch & go games this season, succumbing by the odd goal on more than one occasion, Johno’s boys left the dressing room on Sunday morning, taking to the field with a steely determination that they would do themselves justice.  With a number of enforced changes, the lineout saw David Power resume his deputy goalie duties, Gary Kent saw his first start of the season and Butlerstown’s own Paul Kelly got his first start this century.  John Rockett was awarded the captaincy for the game as a result of truly outstanding leadership in recent games.

Unfortunately, with only 5 minutes on the clock, Dunmore managed to get past the Crusaders defence and score.  What followed was the football equivalent of some deeply profound soul searching, as the men in blue and red dug deep in an effort to recover something from the game. 

At the back, Paul O’Neill and Peter O’Byrne were immense, shutting out the Dunmore attack completely from the 6^th minute onwards.  Kent lent much to the attacking efforts and PK rolled back the years, to a simpler time of landlines, Opel Cadets and the Irish punt, marauding forward up the right flank.  In the immediate aftermath, Johno was overheard proclaiming that PK would be the first name on his team sheet next time around! 

In the middle, Austin was once again omnipresent, as was captain Rockett.  Barney and Hunty kept the Dunmore defence on their toes from both wings, and Mark and Patrick fabricated chance after chance, but ultimately to no avail as the shooting boots had been left at home on the day.  Sprung from the bench, Brian and Deano freshened the legs up top, and forced Dunmore to reach deep and empty their own bench in a desperate effort to retain their lead. 

Also watching from the sidelines, the injured Niall Kelly (“hurt feelings and still a bit tired”), Trevor (“retired boi”) and Duckie (“retired if she asks”) all stated they wanted to be on the field more than anything, but had earlier decided to maintain their current recovery trajectories.  In sharp contrast, Willie Power has made enquiries into signing for the 2^nd half of the season, stating “I could still do a job”.  Watch this space! 

Final score 1-0 to Dunmore East.