Irish League promotion joy the Dollingstown goal

The prize of a place in Irish League football was within grasp for Dollingstown last season before the Mid-Ulster champions’ defeat to Newington YC on away goals.

Duke’s men go into games with Brantwood next Tuesday and Saturday aiming to learn lessons from past disappointments in pursuit of the club’s ultimate goal.

“The hope is we can avoid the same mistakes as last time and that extra experience should help us,” said Duke. “We have had Brantwood watched and picked up a bit of information from talking to various contacts.

“However, it will obviously come down in the end to two big games and the idea is cope with the nerves.

“We have won the toss so opted to visit Brantwood first then get them back to Planters Park for the second match.”

Brantwood top the Ballymena and Provincial League Premier Division with just one defeat from 15 games.

Kick-off at Jellicoe Avenue on Tuesday will be 7 o’clock, with next Saturday’s home match scheduled for a 3 o’clock start to allow for the possibility of extra-time or penalty kicks.

The entry fee has been set provisionally at £7 (adults) and £5.