Comfortable 2013 for Dromore as relegation is avoided and Coady sweeps up awards

The Amateurs finished the season off in 11th place, three off the foot of the table, in Division 1C of the Northern Amateur Football League. They completed the term with a record of P26 W7 D5 L14 GF42 GA72 Pts26.

The Seconds, under the guidance of Ronnie McMurray for 2012/13, ended the season two spots off the bottom in 12th place in Division 3E of the Northern Amateur Football League. They had a record of P24 W4 D5 L15 GF32 GA59 Pts17.

At the club prize night in May, held in The Coach, Banbridge, star-man Robert Coady rounded off a fantastic season as he achieved a clean sweep of the club’s end-of-year awards. He was named as First Team Top Goalscorer, First Team Player of the Year and also bagged the First Team Players’ Player of the Year award after impressing for the whole season.

He also shared the Supporters’ Club Player of the Year award with first team colleague, Roger Downey, who also had an impressive campaign.

Aaron Noble almost matched Coady’s trophy haul as he was named Second Team Top Goalscorer and Second Team Player of the Year. Rodger McCartan pipped his team-mate to the Second Team Players’ Player of the Year award while Seconds goalkeeper Keelan McKinstry picked up the Club Young Player of the Year award for his impressive performances between the sticks. Russell Ward was the unanimous choice for the Amateurs’ Clubman of the Year.

Pre-season training began in the summer with good numbers at training and a healthy attitude amongst the club’s players. Optimism was high that the Amateurs could consolidate their position in Division 1C and they got the 2013/14 season off to the perfect start with a 2-1 away win against Iveagh United.

A raft of cup matches followed, in which the Amateurs made first round exits and suddenly their early-season momentum seemed to have evaporated into thin air. At Christmas, Dromore now sit in 13th place in Division 1C, two off bottom spot, with a record of P11 W2 D1 L8 Pts7.

Despite that, Manager Smylie remains confident that with a renewed effort from the players, the team can turn a corner in the New Year and start climbing up the league table.

The Seconds, now under the management of Wayne Beggs, who is assisted by Dean Brownlee, have enjoyed an impressive 2013/14 campaign so far. They are certainly proving a match for anyone in Division 3E. At Christmas, they occupy fourth place in the league, already having won more games than they did in the entirity of last season, with a record of P8 W6 D1 L1 Pts19.

There’s still a long way to go but manager Beggs is hopeful that his high-flying side can maintain their good form and be in with a shout of claiming the league title at the end of season.

Off the pitch, Dromore Amateurs is in a healthy position thanks to the efforts of a hard-working committee and, of course, the club’s supporters and sponsors.

In October, a golf day at Banbridge Golf Club was well supported and proved a welcome fundraiser for vital club funds.

A particular mention goes to the club’s main sponsor, McDonald’s Mace. Dromore Amateurs Football Club remains extremely grateful for the continued support of this local business.