Bradys (Arva) Volkswagen Spring League 2016 Div. 2 Final

Killygarry 0-8, Drumlane 0-10

Ryan Connolly and Dane O'Dowd were the stars of the show for Drumlane in this victory over Killygarry in the Spring League Division 2 Final played last Sunday in Killeshandra. Connolly scored eight points and even though six of them were from frees, many of them were long-range efforts which were not easy. O'Dowd played a captain's part in leading his team by example. His passion to win was obvious and the effort on his face was there for all to see when he stepped up to claim the trophy at the end.

Drumlane settled into the game very quickly and Gary Tubman opened the scoring with a point from play in almost the first attack from the throw-in. Ryan Connolly pointed frees in the fourth and tenth minutes with Killygarry yet to score. It took Killygarry defender Padraig Cahill to get them off the mark with a fine point from play after one of his trademark bursts up the field. Stephen McHugh added another point from play and then Cathal Keaney settled Killygarry nerves further when he levelled the game with a point from play.

Both sides were guilty of a lot of handling mistakes which must have been very frustrating for management and spectators in both camps. In the twenty-second minute, another defender, Michael McGovern, edged Killygarry in front. This was followed by a point from Ryan Brady to put Killygarry into a two-point lead. They had scored five points without reply but then up stepped Connolly to pop over a fantastic point from a sideline ball. This seemed to rally his Drumlane teammates and he capitalised on this himself by scoring the equaliser with almost the last kick of the half to leave the sides on 0-5 each at half-time.

The scores dried up at the beginning of the second half with both sides guilty again of a lot of handling errors. Connolly converted another free in the thirty-sixth minute but Killygarry equalised a few minutes later when Ryan Brady landed a fine point from a 45. Darragh Gannon then put Killygarry in front with a pointed free.

Drumlane kept plugging away and then captain O'Dowd burst through to put the sides level again. Connolly put them ahead again with another converted free. Gannon equalised for Killygarry with another free and with seven minutes left it looked like it was going to go down to the wire. Drumlane, however, had other ideas. With two minutes to go Connolly popped over another free to give his team the lead. His accuracy was the telling factor in this game - he only had three wides from all the opportunities he had over the hour. He added the insurance point from another long-range free in the last minute.

It should be said that Killygarry had their chances in the final quarter but their decision-making let them down when it came to that final telling pass. They also had plenty of goal chances over the hour but staunch defending from the likes of John O'Dowd frustrated their efforts. On balance, however, Killygarry can have no complaints about the result. Their best performers on the day were Padraig Cahill, Daryll McKenna and Ryan Brady but as has already been said, Connolly and O'Dowd pulled Drumlane over the line for a deserved win

Drumlane: Brendan McKiernan; Sean Smith, John O'Dowd, Francis Lunney; Glen Fitzpatrick, Donal Monaghan, Darragh Brady; Fergal Brady, Dane O'Dowd (0-1); Ryan Connolly (0-8, 6f), Ciaran O'Reilly, Conor Connolly; Gary Tubman (0-1), Stephen McCann, Donal O'Reilly. Subs used: Darragh Dolan, Seamus King.

Killygarry: Tomás Kelly; Paddy Lynch, Daryll McKenna, Caolán Kelly; Ross Sheridan, Padraig Cahill (0-1), Michael McGovern (0-1); Conor Bates, Ryan Brady (0-2, 1'45); Stephen McHugh (0-1), Andy McGovern, Fergal Clarke; Darragh Gannon (0-2, 2f) Cathal Keaney (0-1), Stephen McGovern. Subs used: Danny Talbot, Cian Duffy, Breen Reilly, Daryll Dunne.

Referee: Harry Conaty

 

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