Drumlane 1-11
Ballinagh 0-9
by Conor Lunney
Both sides entered this match in a confident manner after convincing victories over Mullahoran and Castletara respectively at the quarter final stage.
These teams had met each other twice in the last year and it was an eagerly anticipated match for both sides. Drumlane defeated Ballinagh in last year¢¬¢s epic Under 13 championship final and Ballinagh came out strong winners in their league fixture against Drumlane earlier this year in Miltown.
Both teams entered the game without their full complement of players. On the Ballinagh team, team captain Gary Tyler (hamstring) and corner-forward Ryan Dunne (hand) were absentees and on the visitors side, centre-forward Brian McKiernan, ¢¬Ëkeeper Fionan Janowitz (both illness) and corner-back Michael O¢¬¢Reilly (collar bone) were all unavailable.
Ballinagh won the toss and decided to play with the aid of the breeze in the first-half and they started the brighter of the teams.
After Ballinagh missed two frees, Drumlane opened their scoring through full-forward Ciaran Keaney who scored a point from play to settle his team¢¬¢s nerves.
Ballinagh¢¬¢s Ronan O¢¬¢Reilly kicked over his team¢¬¢s first point through a free to level the scored one apiece.
After some foul play in the Drumlane area, Ballinagh were awarded a penalty by ref Brian Crowe (Cavan Gaels). Midfielder Eamon McEvoy just struck it wide to left of the goalmouth to leave the scores level.
Drumlane kept battling against the wind and Francis Lunney scored an inspirational point to keep his side in the reckoning. Ryan Connolly also scored a free to add to Drumlane¢¬¢s total.
Ciaran Wharton and Ronan O¢¬¢Reilly tapped over two more points to leave the score at 0-4 to 0-3 in the home sides favour.
Drumlane started the second-half sharply and with the aid of the breeze they utilised full-forward Keaney fielding ability and he tapped over his sides first score of the second half to level the scores to put pressure on Ballinagh¢¬¢s backline.
Both teams worked hard and never gave up throughout the match.
Against the wind, Ballinagh found it difficult to break down Drumlane¢¬¢s strong defence led by captain Kian Monahan at centre-back. Credit must also go to stand-in ¢¬Ëkeeper Philip King, who pulled off terrific saves and his kick-outs were excellent.
After some creative football by Drumlane, Conor Connolly laid off to Francis Lunney who took a hard, low shot, which gave ¢¬Ëkeeper Colin McCabe no chance at his near post.
To their credit, Ballinagh never gave up and registered more scores through Eamon McEvoy, Ronan O¢¬¢Reilly and Sean Keating.
Yet again, Ballinagh struggled to deal with Keaney¢¬¢s sheer size and physicality and he supplied centre-forward Ryan Connolly with lots of ball to score from.
Ballinagh introduced injured captain Gary Tyler to curb Keaney¢¬¢s threat late in the second- half.
Drumlane stretched their lead to five points with further scores from Francis Lunney and Ryan Connolly.
Both teams put in an excellent effort, on the Ballinagh side Ronan O¢¬¢Reilly, Eamon McEvoy and Philip Bouge played well.
On the away side, ¢¬Ëkeeper Philip King was superb. In defence Donal and Kian Monahan battled hard.
At midfield James Dolan and Francis Lunney worked tirelessly and in attack Ryan Connolly and Ciaran Keaney were terrific..
Teams and Scorers:
Drumlane; Philip King, Declan Burns , Declan Lunney, Donal Monahan, Cian Maguire, Kian Monahan, Ciaran Seagrave, James Dolan , Francis Lunney(1-2), Killian McKiernan, Ryan Connolly(0-5), Luke Longair, Conor Connolly, Ciaran Keaney(0-4) , Seamus King.
Ballinagh; Colin McCabe, Oisin Gaynor, Conor Devine, Niall Robinson, Aaron Dourneen, Philip Bouge, Aaron Reilly, Ciaran Wharton(0-1), Eamon McEvoy(0-3,1f), Conor McDermott, Niall Robinson, Ronan O¢¬¢Reilly(0-4,2f)Eoghan Kellegher, Sean Keating(0-1), David Vasiliouskas , Lorcan Sheridan.
Drumlane will now play Kingscourt in Bord Peil Na nOg Roinn B Under 14 Championship Final in Kingspan Breffni Park
