Drumlane 1-10
Knockbride 0-4
The hosts were full value for their victory, despite kicking 15 wides over the hour, which will be the main concern for the joint management team of Ollie Fay, Sean O’Dowd and Barry Corrigan heading into their quarter-final meeting away to Drumgoon next Sunday.
However, nothing should be taken away from this performance, as it was Drumlane that had played all the football against a Knockbride side which were largely unimpressive bar the odd moment of brilliance from full-forward Brendan Carolan.
The home side had first use of the breeze and built up a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after 20 minutes with points from Darragh Seagrave (0-3) and Ciar¡n O¢¬¢Reilly.
Knockbride hit back with two points from Larry Maguire and Carolan, before Shane Kelly added a point for Drumlane to leave the half time score reading 0-5 Knockbride 0-2 in favour of the Sons of O¢¬¢Connell.
Five minutes into the restart and Ciaran O¢¬¢Reilly punched the game¢¬¢s only goal to the net after an assist from Kelly. Three points from Seagrave and two from O¢¬¢Reilly put their team well in control and although Carolan hit back with two late points for Canningstown outfit, Drumlane held on for an easy victory to seal their place in the quarter-finals where they will need to improve if they are to defeat Drumgoon next Sunday at Boyle Park
