Drumbaragh 0-16 Ballinlough 2-6

Ballinlough made the brighter start in the glorious sunshine in Drumbaragh, winning the throw-in under referee Ciarán Olwell and immediately launched an attack with a speculative effort dropping short forcing a sharp save from David Donohue in the home goal. Drumbaragh settled into the game through good work up the field, with Conor Lynch getting an early sight of the posts, though his effort drifted wide. Ballinlough responded with composed, patient play, their pressure led to an extraordinary opening goal — a dropping shot struck the upright and spun back into the net in freakish fashion.

The home side had to dust themselves done and it was Harry O’Higgins who led by example setting up Shea McManus for a point. The first half lacked quality at times with both sides guilty of poor handling and indiscipline in the tackle. Drumbaragh eventually capitalised on a Ballinglough infringement, as Liam Ward converted an advanced free to narrow the gap.

Ballinlough responded strongly, and a free conceded by Ward was punished with a well-taken two-pointer, extending their lead. Although Drumbaragh won the subsequent kickout, promising interplay between Lynch and McManus again ended in frustration with attempts tailing wide.

Ballinlough continued to dominate possession, particularly around the middle third, with their stalwart number nine, Mark McCullen exerting significant influence. Another turnover, following a misplaced pass from Liam Ward, proving costly as Ballinlough broke quickly and finished clinically for their second goal of the half.

Momentum remained firmly with Ballinlough. Further indiscipline from Drumbaragh handed over another scoreable free which was duly converted. Poor handling and tackling from both sides became a defining feature of the half.

Where the quality lacked at time, the effort did not as Drumbaragh continued to push forward. Strong running from Harry O’Higgins created an opportunity that resulted in a free after a high tackle, which Ward tacked on to keep his side in touch.

Despite moments of promise, Drumbaragh struggled with consistency in possession, with loose passing allowing Ballinlough to regain control. And when Ballinlough coughed up conceded multiple scoring opportunities from placed ball — Drumbaragh were unable to fully capitalise. The men in red the happier at the break 2-06 to 0-05 to the good.

Rob Wall had some stern words for his side at the break, The Drums emerging a transformed side, with a few positional tweaks — seem to spark life into the Emmets with Hughie Corcoran opening the scoring, quickly followed by a Harry O'Higgins white flag.

Momentum was beginning to build, the home side's key players began to impose themselves on proceedings — Joe Carry, O’Higgins, Corcoran and Tomás Doogan all stepping up. Patient build-up between O'Brien, Quinn and Corcoran saw Liam Ward point. Drumbaragh’s work rate without the ball became decisive. Turnovers from Doogan, Eamonn McGee, along with a brilliant interception from Shea McManus, repeatedly denied Ballinlough scoring opportunities.

One of the highlights of the game came following yet another Corcoran’s two-pointer, when his father, Adrian waved the orange flag enthusiastically — much to the delight of the crowd! Tom Tracey split the posts with his sight of goals, reducing the deficit to a single point. Moments later, Jack McCormack, who belied his years, showed great composure to equalise.

With the home side pressing high, veteran John Morrissey and Joe Carry had large swaths of Pairc Emmet grass to patrol to avoid an away side counter attack. Keeper David Donohue and the Drums defence ended up holding Ballinlough scoreless throughout the second half as Drumbaragh tightened their grip on proceedings.

With momentum fully with the home side, with Doogan, Paddy Murray and O'Higgins winning plenty of ball around the middle which created the opportunity for McManus to push his side in front with a superb two-point effort on the 59th minute.

As the clock ticked towards full-time, Hughie Corcran delivered the decisive blow, from outside the arc in the 60th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Drumbaragh finished the game with a tally of 11 points without reply, underlining the scale of their second-half performance. With both sides missing a host of starters, options were limited, so it was the depth of character, rather than the squad that impressed for the home side — something they will need to continue to draw upon as the league progresses.

Drumbaragh Emmets: D Donohue, L Quinn, E DeMange, A O'Brien (0-01), E McGee, H O'Higgins (0-01), J Morrissey, T Doogan, J Carry, J McCormack (0-01), H Corcoran(0-06 1f 1tp 1tpf ), S McManus (0-03 1tp), P Murray, C Lynch, L Ward (0-03 3f).

Subs: T Tracey (0-01) for L Quinn

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