DUNLOP ON A NEW CRUSADE; Foundry boss won't shirk a challenge.

Byline: MARTIN MAWHINNEY

MOST Amateur League managers like to avoid the big teams in the opening round of the Border Cup, but Albert Foundry's Glenn Dunlop is pleased to be taking on the might of Newington YC this Saturday, in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round.

It's the 2005 Premier Section champions versus the 2006 winners, with the connotations of the result potentially more far-reaching than a mere cup tie. It could be argued that the winners of this match will also claim a psychological advantage in the league.

While no points are on offer this Saturday, a defeat (especially a sizeable one) would be damaging to Newington, who have drawn two and lost two in their first league games.

Foundry, on the other hand, started with a demoralising 4-0 defeat at the hands of newly promoted high-fliers Ards Rangers, yet were not beaten in the three league games that followed, and are in the hat for the next round of the Steel & Sons Cup.

On Saturday, Newington recorded their first win of the campaign, knocking Donard Hospital out of the Steel & Sons. Yet, Dunlop believes this is the optimum time of the season to face the team who this year play their games at Brantwood's Ligoniel Road.

He was never one to shirk a challenge in his playing days, and so it would seem, is the case in his short managerial career to date.

"That will be a measuring stick to see where we are," said the Foundry manager.

STRONG

"They are strong opposition and will hopefully show how far we have come. I am going down there expecting an extremely hard match. " A victory for either side will indicate that after an initial fright, the show really is back on the road for the winners.

It goes without saying that there will be plenty more hurdles ahead for both teams, but in some senses, every week since the new Foundry manager took over has been one giant 'measuring stick'.

Dunlop inherited a squad bereft of many of the key players that had started the season under Hugh Sinclair just 12 months before, but who had followed their old boss to Knockbreda when he was appointed as their manager midway through the campaign.

Dunlop said: "I think we were suffering from a wee bit of a hangover from last year. We brought in some new players and I knew it would take them some time to fit.

"But we are unbeaten since that first day, so hopefully we can keep that going.

"What worries me a bit is that we had a good win last Wednesday night (2-1 vs Malachians), but then we came out on a high on Saturday, and only came away with a 2-1 win over Ballywalter Rec.

"I have told them, the worst thing they can do is to go out there, strutting their stuff.

"I have also said that hard work equates with success - and I'm glad to say they are taking on board what I am telling them."

Such basic but crucial principles were what famously helped to earn Dunlop and his Crusaders mates Irish Premier League winners' medals in 1995 and 1997.

And even though he will never be able to recreate the exact same circumstances of those times, he would like to be able to instill a similar sense of togetherness to the one that existed at Seaview over a decade ago.

He stated: "I am looking to make the experience enjoyable. No matter what level people are playing football at, for some this will be the highlight of their life - it's something for them to relish.

"And the more players are enjoying themselves in training and that sort of thing, the more they will want to give you out on the field.

"Roy Walker was a good man manager. He was always the sort of guy to put an arm round the shoulder when it was needed.

"When you look at it, he did well to hold onto his players. You are looking at the likes of Hunter, Burrows and Baxter - all great players - turning down good offers from other clubs. We just had such a good team spirit that they wanted to stay."

This is Dunlop's first season in management - although he could have started in the Irish League much earlier with Crusaders. Back in 2000, at the age of 32, he was offered the job of player/coach, but turned his attentions, instead, to a career in the ministry.

He has achieved a lot in his life up to now, helping to set up the Highway of Holiness Church on Belfast's Ravenhill Road in November 1999. The church are currently involved in the building of an orphanage for 200 Malawian children with Aids.

When he was playing, the Crusaders squad that won two titles in three years was given the nickname of 'The God Squad,' because of the religious devotion of many of the players.

Christianity was clearly a major influence on Dunlop and his team-mates a decade ago, but the Crusaders legend insists that does not mean the entire dressing must share his point of view.

He said: "I don't preach at the boys, I encourage them.

"The guys all know I am a minister. They all know where I come from.

"They have embraced me - it isn't the right arena to be judging anyone."

Aside from the day's standout game, there are plenty of other matches to keep an eye out for.

The other two all-Premier Section games, between Killyleagh and Islandmagee, and Wellington Rec and Abbey Villa really could go either way.

Kilmore Rec can make the first move towards going one better than last season's runner-up spot by beating fellow County Down side Ballynahinch.

At Antville Playing Fields, Larne Tech OB and East Belfast will meet to see which of the two former Premier Section sides is in the best shape to be mounting a push for promotion this year.

And remember - don't be caught out by the Border Cup ties which have been scheduled ahead of Saturday. See below for details.

BORDER CUP 1st ROUND: Ards Rangers v Civil Service, Ballywalter Rec v

Bangor Amateurs, Bryansburn Rangers v Rathfriland, Crumlin United v Malachians, Donard Hospital v Shankill United, Downshire YM v Rathfern Rangers, Dromara Village v Newington Rangers, Drumaness Mills v Ardglass, Killyleagh YC v Islandmage, Larne Tech OB v East Belfast, Newington YC v Albert Foundry, Orangefield OB v Dunmurry Rec, Rosario YC v Lisburn Rangers, Sirocco Works v Shorts, UUJ v Downpatrick, Wellington Rec v Abbey Villa.

Mossley YM v Bloomfield (Tuesday), BangorRangers v Grove United (Wednesday), and Kilmore Rec v Ballynahinch (Thursday).

CUP FACT

AS last season's winners, Sport & Leisure are now playing their football in the new IFA Championship 2 division, they will not be defending their trophy.

CAPTION(S):

READY FOR BATTLE Albert Foundry boss Glenn Dunlop is expecting a tough match against Newington YC on Saturday SLIDE SHOW Albert Foundry goalkeeper Kris Malone is challenged by Ballywalter's Paul Johnston DETERMINED Ballymoney United's George Young and Sirocco's Glenn Irvine