Category: Pre-Match Guide

We travel to Wilgar Park tomorrow evening to take on Dundela in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 23^rd August – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

The Opponents

Dundela made it two wins from two at the weekend with a three-goal defeat of Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. The visitors moved in front just before the half-hour mark when, following a good move down the left, William Faulkner sent a confident finish past keeper Conor Mitchell. It was a lead the Duns sat on until the 83rd minute when substitute Rhys Annett doubled up … and then added a third for Niall Currie’s side just two minutes after that!

The Comrades

At the weekend, the Comrades swept to victory over Dergview at Darragh Park thanks to three second half goals. Scoreless at the break, the home side were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Bobby Deane was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. The visitors made their numerical advantage count just after the hour when Ian Fletcher opened the scoring before, on 77 minutes, Liam Hassin made it 2-0 on the counterattack. Northern Ireland U21 international Calvin McCurry then completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in the last game of the 21/22 campaign, Ballyclare Comrades ended their season on a high note with victory over Dundela at Dixon Park. Kyle Beggs opened the scoring for Ballyclare with a great finish midway through the first half albeit somewhat against the run of play. And they doubled their advantage on 65 minutes when Caiolan Brennan forced the ball over the line after Adam Gray’s initial effort fell into his path. Dundela pulled one back soon after that, however, when the unfortunate Adam McCart headed into his own net whilst attempting to clear a cross from the left.

We travel to Darragh Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Dergview in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 20^th August – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Darragh Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

The Opponents

Dergview got off to a poor start against Championship debutants, Newington, last week with a 4-1 defeat at Solitude. Patrick Downey opened the scoring for the Swans as early as the first minute after pouncing on a defensive mix up, before skipper Richard Gowdy added a second after a quarter-of-an-hour. Darren Stuart made it 3-0 a couple of minutes after that on the counter attack before Dergview pulled one back through Calvin McCallion after the ball fell loose. That was how it stayed until the 74th minute when Stuart doubled his tally to complete a memorable afternoon for Newington.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades and Ballinamallard United fought out a scoreless draw last week’s season opener at Dixon Park. The Mallards squandered an early chance to seize the advantage when, after a quarter-of-an-hour, BJ Banda struck the crossbar with a penalty after he had been brought down by Conall McGrandles. For Ballyclare, Joe Tully perhaps came closest just before the break only to be denied by a goalline Mark Stafford clearance. Stafford saved the Mallards again later in the game with another header off the line to thwart Cathal Farren while Banda had a late chance only to send the ball wide from a good position.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in March 2022, the Comrades got the better of Dergview with a 2-1 victory over Dergview at Dixon Park. The Comrades trailed at the break when Matthew Buchanan poked the visitors in front midway through the first half after connecting with a free-kick to the back post. However, Ballyclare levelled midway through the second half in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Awarded a penalty for a foul on Jason Johnston, Michael Smith saw his spot-kick saved twice but each time the referee ruled that the attempt be retaken after keeper Patrick McGarvey had come off his line. Then, at the third attempt and with a change of kicker, Ian Fletcher stepped up to bury the ball in the net. Spurred on by this, the home side edged into the lead on 77 minutes when Caiolan Brennan fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. And then, to make sure of the points, Kyle Beggs dispossessed a defender before squaring the ball for Liam Hassin to make it 3-1 with a tap in.

After 4 months of excitement and anticipation, we finally return to Lough 41 Championship action when we kick off the campaign at Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon against Ballinamallard United.

Match Info

When: Saturday 13^th August – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Fleming & Cuthbert

Ball Sponsor: Arlene’s Hair & Beauty

The Opponents

The Mallards narrowly missed out on a promotion play-off last season when they finished third in the 21/22 Lough 41 Championship. Harry McConkey’s side will be looking to build on last season’s momentum with 3 points on the opening day.

The Comrades

The Comrades have seen 14 new faces arrive at Dixon Park over the summer. After 10 pre-season friendlies (6 against Premiership opponents) and 16 goals scored, all eyes will be on this Saturday’s opening fixture against Ballinamallard United. Having beaten the Mallards 5-1 in last season’s opening fixture, Stephen Small will be looking for a similar outcome with his new squad.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in January 2022 saw us share the spoils at Dixon Park in a game which saw the lead change twice. After a number of half chances at either end it fell to the home side to move in front on 37 minutes when Jason Johnston headed home after Kyle Beggs had delivered the ball into the box. It was an advantage the Comrades held until a couple of minutes into the second half when Callum Moorehead nodded past Richard Purcell to level matters. Then, on 64 minutes, Sean McEvoy edged the visitors into the lead with a well executed free-kick from around 30 yards low into the bottom corner. However, it again proved to be a short lived period on top after Andrew Mooney equalised for the Comrades with a left-foot strike from just inside the box after Caiolan Brennan had slipped him through on the left.

We welcome Dundela to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in what will be the final fixture of the 21/22 Lough 41 Championship season.

Match Info

When: Saturday 30^th April – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Agnew Recovery Services Ltd

Ball Sponsor: Antrim Newtownabbey Disability FC

The Opponents

Dundela go into tomorrow’s game top of Section B of the Lough 41 Championship – which is a great achievement considering their results at the beginning of the season. Last week, Dundela swept to a comfortable victory over Institute at Wilgar Park. Eoin Kane opened the scoring with around a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock with a close range finish after Rhys Annett’s initial effort was saved. Kyle Owens added a second after half-an-hour when he rose highest to nod home a Tony Kane corner from the right, before Annett made it 3-0 early in the second half with a shot on the turn beyond John Connolly. ‘Stute pulled one back soon after through Jamie Dunne but Eoin Kane restored Dundela’s three-goal advantage later in the game with his second of the afternoon from just outside the area.

The Comrades

The Comrades secured Championship football for next season after a 2-2 draw with Queen’s University at The Dub. The Students moved in front after 18 minutes through Adam Calvert but Liam Hassin levelled for the Comrades ten minutes after that. But Queen’s regained the advantage after half-an-hour after Leon Bonnes turned home a corner, a lead they held until eight minutes into the second half when Hassin equalised again for the visitors.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, just last month, Dundela swept to a comfortable three-goal defeat of Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park. Eamonn Fyfe opened the scoring as early as the eighth minute after getting on the end of a ball over the top and beating keeper Richard Purcell one-on-one. Then, after a quarter-of-an-hour, David Fearon made it 2-0 with a tap in after Ryan McKay had done well down the left before delivering the ball into the box. That was how it stayed until the final few minutes when Rhys Annett added a third after he skipped past a couple of defenders, took it past Purcell and slotted into the empty net.

We travel to The Dub tomorrow afternoon to take on Queen’s University in our penultimate 2021/22 Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 23^rd April – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: The Dub

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

The Opponents

Queen’s University currently occupy bottom spot of the Lough 41 Championship by 1 point with 2 games remaining. On Tuesday evening, Dundela came from behind to defeat Queen’s University at The Dub. The Students raced into an early lead when, after a couple of minutes, Chris Middleton converted from the spot following a foul on Ben Mulgrew. However, the Duns levelled around ten minutes from the break through David Fearon. And the visitors went on to claim the points just after the hour when Kyle Owens directed a header past keeper Conan Doherty.

The Comrades

The Comrades secured Lough 41 Championship football on Tuesday evening as we shared six goals with Knockbreda in an entertaining encounter at Dixon Park. The Comrades moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour when Adam McCart beat Daniel Oates with a bullet header but just a couple of minutes after that Ciaran Heggarty was on hand to level for ‘Breda. Ballyclare scored twice early in the second half to move firmly into the lead. Jason Johnston nodded home a Ryan Arthur free-kick before Liam Hassin tapped home a third after Kyle Beggs had sent the ball to the back post. ‘Breda reduced the deficit on 72 minutes through Karl Hamill on the counter attack before Lee McGreevy bagged the equaliser in stoppage time.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Ballyclare Comrades and Queen’s University battled to a 1-1 draw at Dixon Park with both goals coming in the first half. The home side came close to breaking the deadlock early on when an Ian Fletcher free-kick was headed against the crossbar by a visiting defender before, from the follow up, Michael Smith also directed his header against the woodwork. But Ballyclare did find a way through on 14 minutes courtesy of Kyle Beggs’ cross-come-shot which bypassed everyone to end up in the net. However the Students levelled just before the half-hour mark through Leon Bonnes after he got his head to a corner while, on the stroke of half-time, Fletcher was on hand to clear the ball off the line. The second half was a much less lively affair with neither side able to settle nor grab what could well have been the winner.

We welcome Knockbreda to Dixon Park tomorrow evening in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 19^th April – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Benny Craig & Co.

Ball Sponsor: Ernest Hall Menswear

The Opponents

Knockbreda currently sit bottom of the Lough 41 Championship on goal difference with 30 points alongside Queen’s University. At the weekend, they were edged out by Dundela in a 1-0 defeat at Wilgar Park. After a scoreless first-half, it was the visitors who had the first major opportunity of the game as they were awarded a penalty in the 76^th minute. However, after failing to convert from the spot, it was Dundela who took the lead 2 minutes later through a low strike from Eoin Kane which proved to be the only goal of the game.

The Comrades

At the weekend, Benny Igiehon grabbed the only goal of the game as Ards defeated Ballyclare Comrades in a Friday night fixture at Dixon Park. The visitors might have moved in front midway through the first half when Daniel Reynolds did well to send a cross over from the right but Ryan Arthur was on hand to turn the ball over as Igiehon looked poised to pounce. Ross Arthurs then found himself through on goal a short time later but Comrades keeper Richard Purcell did well to deal with the danger. But the deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Arthurs knocked the ball on into the area with an overhead kick for Igiehon to touch past Purcell under pressure from Adam McCart. Igiehon might have added a second after the break but he couldn’t bring the ball under control in front of goal after Eamon Scannell had crossed from Christopher Crane’s punt forward. Ards were denied a second later in the game when Purcell was called into action to make a double save to keep out substitute Jay Boyd and then Scannell while Ballyclare applied some pressure in the closing stages but couldn’t do enough to force an equaliser.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Knockbreda twice came from behind to claim a point from The Comrades’ visit to Breda Park. It took the visitors just over a minute to move in front when Owen McKeown won a free-kick which Ian Fletcher delivered into the area for Jason Johnston to nod home. ‘Breda almost levelled straightaway only to hit the crossbar before, just shy of the half-hour mark, skipper Ross McCaughan did equalise with a header past Jack Ferguson. Ballyclare regained the advantage on the hour. Breaking on the counter attack, substitute Ciaran Dobbin ran with the ball almost the full length of the pitch before finding Liam Hassin with a pass who, in turn, cut it back for Dobbin to slide beyond Lewis Deane. However, the home side responded positively once again, and subsequently earned a share of the spoils thanks to Nathan O’Neill’s, who had only been on the pitch for around sixty seconds, 25-yard finish on 72 minutes.

We welcome Ards to Dixon Park tomorrow evening in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 15^th April – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: McConnell’s Bar Doagh

Ball Sponsor: After Schools Club

The Opponents

Last week, Ards battled to an equal share of the spoils with Dundela in an entertaining four-goal clash at Wilgar Park. The Duns moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour through Eamon Fyfe when he pounced on the loose ball after his initial effort was kept out by keeper Jack Lemoignan just inside the area. Ards levelled a couple of minutes into the second half. Benny Igiehon did well to keep the ball alive inside the area before it fell kindly to Ross Arthurs who duly tucked it past Marc Matthews. That was how it stayed until the 79th minute when Rhys Annett edged the Duns back in front after bursting through the defence to fire home at the right post. But Ards hit back five minutes after that to earn a point after Daniel Reynolds was on hand to knock home the equaliser at the far post.

The Comrades

The Comrades began their post-split fixtures with defeat as Brendan McLaughlin bagged the stoppage time winner for Institute at the Brandywell. ‘Stute had gone in front after just 12 minutes when Mark McFadden smashed the ball home following a scramble in the box from a corner. The visitors might have levelled midway through the first half but Ian Fletcher was unable to beat keeper John Connolly from the spot. However, Ballyclare did find their equaliser four minutes after the interval courtesy of Andrew Mooney’s composed finish after he had pounced on an underhit back pass. And that was how it stayed until three minutes into stoppage time when McLaughlin popped up with a back post header to secure a crucial three points for ‘Stute.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met at the beginning of March, Ards hit five past the managerless Comrades. Matt Tipton’s side opened the scoring after 16 minutes when David McAllister curled a cross onto the edge of the six yard box for Ross Arthurs to control and stab past Jack Ferguson. Daniel Reynolds added a second just after the half-hour mark when he fired into the roof of the net at the back post after a corner had been flicked on from the left. And it got worse for the visitors when they fell further behind just before the break. Reynolds turned provider with a low ball across the face of goal for McAllister to touch home at the left post. That was how it stayed until the 79th minute when McAllister doubled his tally from the left side of the area from Salou Jallow’s cross from wide on the right, albeit via a deflection off Ryan Arthur. Then, with five minutes to go, Eamonn Scannell completed the scoring after sliding in to turn home Benny Igiehon’s ball from the right.

We travel to Brandywell Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on Institute in our first post-split fixture in the Lough 41 Championship.

Match Info

When: Saturday 9^th April – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Brandywell Stadium

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

The Opponents

Institute currently sit in 10^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, just 4 points behind the Comrades. Last gameweek, Institute picked up an important three points with victory over Knockbreda at Breda Park. The win sees Brian Donaghey’s side leapfrog ‘Breda out of the bottom two. They moved in front on 11 minutes when Mark McFadden fired past Daniel Oates from ten yards after being teed up by Gareth Brown. ‘Breda levelled just three minutes later, however, through Max Greer from close range after Gareth Muldoon couldn’t keep the ball out. The visitors might have restored their advantage when Conor Quigley hit the post from a corner but, on 20 minutes, they did go back in front when McFadden slotted home the rebound after Ian Parkhill’s initial effort had to kept out. That was how it stayed until just before the hour when Nathan Johnston fired home Knockbreda’s second equaliser from Liam McKenna’s cut back. Institute came close to going back in front with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining but Jamie Dunne’s free-kick struck the bar while Liam Walsh fired the rebound over. But the winner came with a couple of minutes to go through Brendan McLaughlin with a low finish past Oates.

The Comrades

The Comrades enter the post-split period sitting in 9^th position, 6 points behind Dundela in 8^th and 4 points ahead of tomorrow’s opponents, Institute. During our last game before the split, Newry City took a step closer to the Lough 41 Championship title with a comprehensive defeat of the Comrades at Dixon Park. Darren Mullen’s side are four points clear at the top of the table going into the final five games of the campaign, and effectively just one win away to securing at least a promotion play-off spot. However, they had to come from behind to get the better of Ballyclare after Tom Mathieson had opened the scoring on 40 minutes after being played through by Michael Smith. Newry levelled eight minutes after the break, however, when James Teelan gave Jack Ferguson no chance with a decent finish before, three minutes after that, Darren King got on the end of a Daniel Hughes cross to edge the visitors into the lead. They extended their advantage on 69 minutes through half-time substitute Declan Carville’s looping header at the back post, with the same player adding a fourth soon after with a strike through a crowded area into the corner of the net. Then, with three minutes remaining, Hughes completed the scoring with an effort into the far corner. Newly appointed boss, Stephen Small said “The players need to adopt that mindset in terms of their desire to go and win games and what we need to do is try and finish top of our mini-league at the tale end of the table. It’s going to take all of us to be tight as a group, showing great desire and work ethic”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, two goals late in the second half saw Institute come from behind to defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. The home side needed just ten minutes to open the scoring when an Ian Fletcher cross deep into the box was only partially cleared allowing Liam Hassin to get to the ball and nod past John Connolly. Ballyclare could have doubled their advantage before the break when new signing Caiolan Brennan tested Connolly with an effort from just outside the box, before teeing Michael Smith up moments later to fire just over. Brennan was involved again just after the hour when he nodded the ball on for fellow transfer window arrival Ryan Arthur while Arthur himself turned provider soon after with a free-kick to the back post but Hassin could only head slightly off target. However, Institute levelled on 77 minutes when Brendan McLaughlin, who had come close a few minutes earlier, headed past Jack Ferguson. Then, right at the death, Mark McFadden knocked home what proved to be Institute’s winner with a fantastic individual finish with the last kick of the game.

We welcome Newry City to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our final Lough 41 Championship fixture before the split.

Match Info

When: Saturday 26^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession) BUY ONE GET ONE FREE WITH THE NATIONAL LOTTERY FOOTBALL WEEKENDS – Following payment of match admission, the match attendees must clearly display their TNL ticket at the gate to matchday staff to be eligible for the offer. This will allow free admission for their accompanied guest free of charge. Each club has been given a limit of 150 tickets, which will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Match Sponsor: Montgomery Transport Group

Ball Sponsor: Terry Coulter Cars

The Opponents

Newry City are guaranteed to go into the split sitting top of the table as they’re currently 4 points ahead of second place Annagh United. Last week, leaders Newry City and bottom of the table Queen’s University played out a scoreless draw at The Showgrounds.

The Comrades

Last week, Dundela swept to a comfortable three-goal defeat of Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park. Eamonn Fyfe opened the scoring as early as the eighth minute after getting on the end of a ball over the top and beating keeper Richard Purcell one-on-one. Then, after a quarter-of-an-hour, David Fearon made it 2-0 with a tap in after Ryan McKay had done well down the left before delivering the ball into the box. That was how it stayed until the final few minutes when Rhys Annett added a third after he skipped past a couple of defenders, took it past Purcell and slotted into the empty net. The result means Stephen Small’s new side will go into the split in 9^th position.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Ballyclare Comrades upset the form book to defeat leaders Newry City at The Showgrounds. The Comrades hadn’t picked up a league win since mid-October while Darren Mullen’s City, with an eight point advantage at the top, hadn’t lost from around the same time. But that all counted for nothing at a foggy Showgrounds which saw the visitors emerge victorious courtesy of Ciaran Heggarty’s stunning 30-yard drive towards the end of the first half. Just before that Newry might have broken the deadlock but Daniel Hughes was denied by Jack Ferguson with the rebound going into the side netting. Newry did see a lot of the ball after the break but they failed to turn their possession into anything productive in front of goal and thus slipped to a first defeat in over two months.

We travel to Wilgar Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Dundela in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 19^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

The Opponents

Dundela are flying at the moment as the most in-form team in the league, with 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 outings. Last week, Dundela came out on top by the odd goal in five following an entertaining East Belfast derby with HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. The Duns raced into an early lead when, around the ten minute mark, David Fearon finished low into the bottom corner from six yards following good build up play from David McMaster. That was how it stayed for the remainder of the first half until, not long after the interval, Scott Davidson levelled for the Welders with a looping finish over Marc Matthews. Then, five minutes after that, David Graham fired the home side in front from the six yard box after fantastic team move. Back came Dundela through Eamonn Fyfe just after the hour with the final touch over the line after Tony Kane’s free-kick caused all sorts of confusion. And Niall Currie’s side regained the lead – and ultimately the points – with four minutes remaining with Fearon’s second of the night, a fantastic long range effort which proved to be too strong for Joe McGovern.

The Comrades

Last week, the Comrades got back to winning ways as we picked up our first win in almost two-and-a-half months with victory over Dergview at Dixon Park. Under the watchful eye of incoming boss Stephen Small, the Comrades trailed at the break when Matthew Buchanan poked the visitors in front midway through the first half after connecting with a free-kick to the back post. However, Ballyclare levelled midway through the second half in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Awarded a penalty for a foul on Jason Johnston, Michael Smith saw his spot-kick saved twice but each time the referee ruled that the attempt be retaken after keeper Patrick McGarvey had come off his line. Then, at the third attempt and with a change of kicker, Ian Fletcher stepped up to bury the ball in the net. Spurred on by this, the home side edged into the lead on 77 minutes when Caiolan Brennan fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. And then, to make sure of the points, Kyle Beggs dispossessed a defender before squaring the ball for Liam Hassin to make it 3-1 with a tap in. The result keeps the Comrades in 9^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, 3 points behind Dundela in 8^th.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Dundela swept to a three-goal Friday night victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park. The visitors started on the front foot, enjoying plenty of possession during the opening exchanges but they fell behind on 19 minutes when Jay Magee found the net with a header from a corner. Ballyclare attempted to work their way back into the game with Liam Hassin and Joe Tully both testing Marc Matthews but the home keeper proved equal to every challenge thrown at him. Still trailing, Ballyclare upped the tempo after the break and came close early on when Tully saw a header deflected over the bar. Liam McKenna then connected with a Ciaran Dobbin cross but, again, this went over as did another Tully effort on the hour. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Ballyclare were awarded a spot-kick but it was an evening when Matthews was proving unbeatable as he made the save from Chris Ramsey. That proved to be a decisive moment when the Duns immediately broke down the other end and doubled their advantage through Jordan Hughes before, with three minutes remaining, David McMaster made sure by turning home number three for Niall Currie’s side.