David: I've got egg on my face; PREMIER SECTION.

DUNMURRY Rec have an early opportunity to put their jaw-dropping 6-1 battering by Kilmore Rec behind them when they face Holywood in the Premier Section's only match this Saturday.

Most early rounds of cup competition will spring a shock or two, but the nature of this defeat by a team a division below his own team must surely give Dunmurry manager David Johnstone quite considerable cause for concern.

Nevertheless, Johnstone was magnanimous in the face of his side's merciless Steel & Sons Cup defeat.

He said: "I take full responsibility for what happened on Saturday. I don't want to say I disrespected Kilmore, but I decided to give a few players a free week, and I ended up with egg on my face.

"There were eight first team players sitting on the sideline."

One of those players was captain Gary Hewitt, who has just recovered from a broken hand that has kept him out of Dunmurry's season to date.

His return is just one reason Johnstone is confident of showing that the weekend defeat was a one-off.

Among the other players due to slot into Saturday's team (who were absent against Kilmore) are Anto Walsh, the re-signed Liam Burns, and Kenny Camlin and Paddy Larkin who both return from suspension.

Remaining philosophical in his reflection of the Steel & Sons Cup result, Johnstone said: "On paper, we have a strong side, but you don't win games on paper, and my players are learning that.

"All credit to Kilmore - they played a good game and battled, and were worth their victory.

"But it is a long season, and hopefully this result can be a blessing in disguise."

CAPTION(S):

I'M TO BLAME David Johnstone