Morgan Fuels Down SFC round three: Bredagh v Mayobridge (tonight, Liatroim, 7.15pm)
THERE aren’t too many corners Frank Dawson hasn’t been around when it comes to Down football – and the former Antrim boss hopes he can help Bredagh book a quarter-final spot when they take on Mayobridge at Pairc Fontenoy tonight.
Dawson previously led Burren to the Frank O’Hare Cup in 2010 and ’11, and has since managed Mayobridge, Bryansford and most recently Castlewellan during the past decade, having enjoyed earlier spells with Clonduff and Longstone.
However, it was through his connection with former Down star Brendan Mason that the Belfast man became involved as a selector with Bredagh. The pair “go back years and years”, with Mason part of Dawson’s backroom team during a stint in charge of the Down U21s six years ago.
“Brendan and I would be very close friends,” said Dawson, “when he approached me about coming in to help out, it was a no-brainer – because of the quality of players they have, and the chance to work again with Brendan.”
Dawson’s Castlewellan side lost out to Bredagh in last year’s championship, and the south Belfast men repeated the dose a fortnight ago to get their 2021 campaign up and running with a win.
However, despite being in control for much of last weekend’s round two clash with Ballyholland, Bredagh were pipped at the post - Mark Walsh’s late goal sending the 2020 semi-finalists into the last four, and leaving Bredagh in the last chance saloon.
“Aw, apart from the opening couple of minutes, we led the whole way against a team with tonnes of experience,” said Dawson.
“We acquitted ourselves very well. Having watched the video back, which was painful, we did everything but win the game… we were so disappointed.
“There’s no safety net any more, and sometimes people say ‘sure, you’ve nothing to lose’ – I don’t buy into that at all. There’s a quarter-final place in the championship up for grabs, so we do have something to lose.
“We know if we can tighten up on a couple of minor things from last week’s game, improve our performance by five or 10 per cent, we’ll be in with a shout. We’re capable of doing it.”
Yet Dawson is also well aware of the dangers Mayobridge pose.
Ciaran McKeever’s men gave reigning champions Kilcoo plenty to think about in the first half of their first round clash before the Magpies pulled away late on. And, having worked closely with ’Bridge ace Cory Quinn before, the Bredagh management will know what a threat the Down forward can be.
“Cory was somebody myself and Brendan had with the U21s, so we know him very well.
“There’s no doubt Mayobridge have the history behind them, the experience of being in Division One, and they’ve blended in some of their younger players. I was at that game [against Kilcoo] and Mayobridge had four goal chances in the first half and only took one of them - there’s not too many teams create four good goal chances against Kilcoo.
“But Brendan has done a fantastic job here because these boys have no fear of Division One sides. Bredagh has seen massive growth right through the club, both men and women and right through the underage.
“There’s a tremendous committee and people within the club wanting to drive it on - the next step for the senior footballers is to get up to Division One. Playing those top teams on a consistent basis would bring this team on even more.”
