GLENFARNE/KILTYCLOGHER 0-9 ST PATRICK’S DROMAHAIR 1-5

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher secured their safe passage from group 4 of the GWP Intermediate Championship in Drumshanbo on Saturday last after a one point victory over Dromahair.

Dromahair would have been favourites, not only to emerge victorious, but would have been regarded by many as one of the team’s with a real chance of claiming the intermediate championship crown.

However, on Saturday last they were defeated by a team with far more hunger.

It could be argued the long year the Dromahair players have had to endure is now taking its toll but to focus on whether or not the Dromahair players were tired would do a disservice to Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher who were worthy victors.

Enda Gallagher dominated large chunks of the game as the Dromahair midfield struggled to get a foothold while full-forward Michael Maguire was reliable with his kicking and his work rate was of great benefit to his side.

While it could be argued that Dromahair’s late surge almost saw them salvage a share of the spoils, a draw would not have been a true reflection of the game.

Glenfarne/Kilty opened the scoring with a seventh minute Michael Maguire free after what was a fairly tame opening to proceedings.

Dromahair replied with a fine point from a tight angle from David McDermott after some good passing involving Adrian Fowley and Kevin Conlan. Dromahair took the lead for the only time in the game when Shane Fowley pointed.

At this stage, it was beginning to look as though Dromahair were finding some rhythm but it was their opponents who dominated the remainder of the half.

The sides were level when Michael Maguire’s speculative effort from over 45 meters out took a wicked bounce in front of goalkeeper Padraig Flanagan before hitting the crossbar and going over.

Maguire struck again to regain the lead for his side and despite the fact that there was only a point between the sides, Dromahair looked to be struggling for ideas. When JJ McDermott picked out the unmarked Connor O’Rourke, Glenfarne’s lead was extended to two points.

A worrying aspect for Dromahair at this stage was that some of their more senior players were losing their discipline as frustration got the better of them.

Five minutes before the interval, Dromahair reduced the deficit to a solitary point as Kieran Meehan pointed. That point failed to lift the Dromahair players and Padraig Sweeney pointed in injury time at the end of the first half to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Glenfarne/Kilty would have been reasonably happy with their first half performance and in particular their work rate but for their opponents their was plenty to discuss during the break.

Judging by the way the Dromahair players exited the dressing room, almost taking the door with them, it seemed as though the message had got through regarding what was needed.

Dromahair were much better during the opening 10 minutes of the second half and had more than enough chances to get back on level terms.

Straight from the throw-in, Paddy McGowan found his brother Christy who was fouled. Unfortunately for Dromahair the resulting free and two subsequent ones all taken by Shane Fowley were off target. When Kevin Conlan tried his luck at the free taking duties the result proved to be the same.

With almost 10 minutes played of the second half, Dromahair had a half chance for a goal. When a ball was pumped goalwards, Paddy McGowan went in with an outstretched fist but Glenfarne/Kilty keeper Daragh Keaney was alert to the danger and claimed the ball before it reached McGowan.

Christy McGowan had a chance to make amends a minute later and but his effort struck the post when it seemed as though kicking the ball over the bar would be a mere formality.

Having soaked up plenty of pressure, Glenfarne/Kilty made Dromahair pay for their wastefulness. Fergal Clancy’s point, 12 minutes into the half was the first of the half.

A breakdown in communication and sloppy passing between Kenneth Casey and Christy McGowan was punished as Padraig Sweeney struck to open up a four point lead for his side.

That lead almost became seven points but Dromahair had Fergus Meehan to thank for his goal line intervention which kept out Diarmuid Clancy’s effort. However, from the subsequent 45, Michael Maguire pointed to leave five between the sides.

Dromahair looked rattled, while Glenfarne/Kilty appeared calm and assured with everybody fully aware of what their own task was.

With 12 minutes remaining, Diarmuid Clancy pointed and it seemed as though Glenfarne were on course for a straight forward victory.

Dromahair threw Keith Carty and Brian Feeney into the fray. Carty’s first involvement in the game was to win a penalty for his side as he pulled down by a combination of two defenders as he ran towards goal.

Kevin Conlan showed no sign of nerves as he drilled the ball to the top right corner out of the reach of Daragh Keaney who dived the right way.

With nine minutes remaining, the deficit was now down to three points and Dromahair suddenly seemed to wake from their slumber. David McDermott converted a free and with the momentum now well and truly behind Dromahair, an unlikely comeback was on the cards.

Stephen Smyth went for goal instead of taking a relatively straight forward point and his shot went harmlessly wide.

With two minutes remaining, Keith Carty pointed to leave just a point between the sides, but that proved to be as close as Dromahair would get to their opponents as Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher held on for victory.

That victory ensures Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher’s safe passage into the knock out stages of the championship while Dromahair will face Drumkeerin in what is essentially a knock out tie. The winners will advance while the losers will be left to rue what might have been for another year.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher

Daragh Keaney, Sean McManus, Sean McLoughlin, Stephen Sweeney, John Sheerin, Conor O’Rourke (0-1), Jonathan Keaney, Enda Gallagher, Barry McDermott, Fergal Clancy (0-1), JJ McDermott, Niall Clancy, Padraig Sweeney (0-2), Michael Maguire (0-4), Diarmuid Clancy (0-1). Subs: Paul Gilligan for McManus (35 mins), Declan Sweeney for N Clancy

Dromahair

Padraig Flanagan, Brian McMorrow, Kenneth Casey, Michael McKeon, Fergus Meehan, Kieran Meehan (0-1), Barry Loughlin, Paddy McGowan, John Evans, David McDermott (0-2), Shane Fowley (0-1), Adrian Fowley, Kevin Conlan (1-0), Christy McGowan, Stephen Smyth. Keith Carty (0-1) for Evans (48 mins), Brian Feeney for S Fowley (47 mins), Martin Clancy for McDermott (58 mins)

Referee: Brendan Sammon

(c) Litrim Observer, 2009