Drumconrath 2-13
Dunsany 1-6

A dominant Drumconrath, for a large part of the game easily seen off the challenge of a youthful Dunsany side in round 1 of the Junior Football Championships on Saturday.

Drums wind assisted in the 1st half played some really good football driven on as ever by the excellent Stephan Crosby. Indeed Dunsany struggled big time at centre field as the 19 year old pairing of Cathal Burke and Jake Harlin found Crosby and his partner Peter McEvoy far too strong and this led to Drumconrath forging attack after attack in the 1st quarter as they built up a commanding lead.

Points from Eoiny Martin on 3 minutes and a mighty 55 metre Crosby free soon after gave Drums the start they needed as the differing standards between Division 3 & 4 was evident.

Peter McEvoy was outstanding early on and a fine pass from him set the speedy Brendan Lyons loose on the Dunsany rear guard and Lyons passed to Martin whose shot was parried but Christy Tighe was on hand to poke home to the empty net.

Crosby and Alan Byrne extended the Drumconrath advantage before Jake Harlin on 13 minutes from a free left it 1-4 to 0-1 as the 1st quarter ended.

Crosby recieved a nasty gash to the head on 15 minutes and was blood substituted and this seemed to stifle Drumconrath somewhat but Byrne from a free and the troublesome Eoin Martin added points by the 21st minute. Martin and indeed Brendan Lyons where doing really well in this opening period as Drums now led by 8 at this stage.

Two quick Dunsany points on 22 and 23 minutes gave them hope as Drumconrath suffered another blow on 25 minutes as a ball was fumbled in the square and Sean Kane pulled down Marcus Brennan in the small square for a penalty kick.

Confusion reigned as it appeared the Referee 1st produced a Black card and then a Red as Drumconrath introduced Conor O'Halloranas a substitute 'keeper. He faced up to the penalty but Dunsany mentors caught the Referee's attention that Drumconrath still had 15 players on the pitch. A delay then ensued as things were sorted out and Drumconrath with drew Eoin Martin much to the surprise of the bewildered onlookers who were unsure of events.

O'Halloran's first task was to pick the ball from the net as Hobson fired home and Dunsany were back in the game. Alan Byrne pointed from play as Harlin notched another free but in injury time in the 1st half John McDermott got forward to fire over as the half ended Drums 1-8 to 1-4.

Dunsany buoyed up by having the extra man and the stiff breeze in their favour must had felt they had a fine chance especially as Harlin pointed another free on 34 minutes to narrow the gap to 3 points.

But the did not bank on the return of the heavily head bandaged, Iron Man, Crosby and he took the game by the scruff of the net with a masterful second half show that was unstoppable. He pointed an 38 minutes and with McEvoy, Peter Tighe, Jamie Myles and the impressive Oran Finnegan in great form Dunsany had no answer.

A great Crosby break found Christy Tighe and while his attempt cannoned off the cross bar Lyons was on hand to fist to the net to give Drums a 2-9 to 1-5 what was really an unassailable lead after 40 minutes.

Jamie Myles strode forward for a usual trade mark score and Crosby hit a delightful point on 53 minutes. Dunsany's wing back received a straight Red around this time as Drumconrath eased on to a comfortable win.

A couple of goal mouth flurries resulted in nothing for Dunsany while Brennan pointed a late late free after Thomas Carolan received a Black card in injury time. Drumconrath shrewdly resisted using up another sub with the points in the bag.

Two late Byrne frees finished the scoring as Drumconrath ran out 10 point winners.

Drumconrath; Sean Kane; John Lynch, Thomas Carolan, Oran Finnegan; Jamie Myles (0-1), Peter Tighe, John McDermott (0-1); Stephan Crosby (0-4, 1 free), Peter McEvoy; Damien Glass, Derek Duff, Christopher Tighe (1-0); Eoin Martin (0-2), Alan Byrne (0-5, 3 frees), Brendan Lyons (1-0). Subs; Aiden Tighe for Crosby (temporary) 15 min, Conor O'Halloran for Martin 25 min, (reverse substitution) Crosby for A. Tighe 31 min, Eoin Martin for C Tighe50 min, Thomas Carolan (Black Card). Tweet

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