INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEMI FINAL

Doohamlet 2-13
Inniskeen 0-4

Recently crowned intermediate championship winners Doohamlet are now on the verge of completing an historic double after they totally overwhelmed Inniskeen in this quite one sided intermediate league semi final that was played in good conditions at Doohamlet on Sunday afternoon last to book their place in the final and with something to spare. Enjoying home advantage Doohamlet dominated this game practically throughout with the result assured quite some time before the finish against a disappointing Inniskeen who never threatened at any stage to take control. Doohamlet were headed just once in the entire contest and that quite early in the proceedings as Inniskeen started promisingly but it was ultimately flattery to deceive as Doohamlet took increasing control for the remainder of the game. Doohamlet made their intentions clear early on when Ollie Hughes and Paul McArdle opened the scoring with two good points from play in the opening 10 minutes. Inniskeen replied to level the game with two points, both from placed balls, by Donal Meegan with Ronan Meegan then punishing the Doohamlet defence, again from a free kick, to give Inniskeen the lead for the only time in the game. Paul McArdle replied for Doohamlet to level the scores with a point from a free as Inniskeen were dealt a severe blow when their midfield talisman Fergal Duffy had to leave the field with what looked like an ankle injury but later turned out to be a major leg fracture. Doohamlet were now building in momentum and surged forward to rattle the Inniskeen net when Emmet McManus got on the end of a fine move involving Greg Duffy and Paul McArdle to drill a shot low to the Inniskeen keeper's right. Ronan Meegan scored a fine point from play before Paul McArdle, again from a free kick, closed the scoring for the first half with a point just as the half time whistle sounded to leave the home side ahead by 1-3 to 0-4 at half time.
On the resumption Doohamlet took complete control and dominated their opponents in every position. Martin Hughes and Colin Walshe anchored a defence which held the Inniskeen forwards scoreless in the second half. Kevin McArdle was immense at wing back and surged forward to score three points. Ted Duffy and Paul McArdle with two points each kept the scoreboard ticking over and Inniskeen's frustration grew when substitute Michael Fitzpatrick was shown a straight red card for a high tackle. Mark Murphy and Paul McArdle added points and Inniskeen's day of woe was complete when Ollie Hughes palmed to the net for Doohamlet's second goal and the final score of the game. Doohamlet, in a good all round team performance, were well served in defence with James Casey in goal who brought off two excellent saves while Gabie Casey and Jason McElroy were tigerish in their policing of Inniskeen danger men Ronan and Donal Meegan. Doohamlet's half back trio of Kevin McArdle Colin Walshe and Darren Connolly were impressive turning over possession and counter attacking at speed. Greg Duffy and Ciaran McManus held their own at midfield and five of Doohamlet's six forwards all got on the score sheet with Emmet McManus in for the injured Shane McManus making a solid claim for a starting berth next time out.
Inniskeen will have been disappointed with their display as, barring a short period at the start, they were totally over run by a stronger and fitter Doohamlet outfit and only Matthew McKenna along with Ronan, Paul and Donal Meegan looked like matching Doohamlet's level of performance. Inniskeen finished the game with fourteen players when substitute Michael Fitzpatrick was sent off on a straight red card in the second half.
Teams and Scorers: Doohamlet: James Casey, Gabie Casey, Martin Hughes, Jason Mc Elroy, Kevin McArdle(0-3), Colin Walshe, Darren Connolly, Ciaran McManus, Greg Duffy, Emmet McManus (1-0), Paul McArdle(0-6 (4f), Ted Duffy (0-2 (2f), Mark Murphy 0-1, Niall J Connolly. Subs: Glen Comiskey for N Connolly, Johnny Duffy for G Duffy, Michael Marray for P McArdle, Christopher Boylan for D Connolly.
Inniskeen: Pauric Dowdall, Francis McArdle, Seamus Loftus, Alan Ryan, Anthony Keenan, Robert Lorenz, Raymond Lennon, Fergal Duffy, Gerard McArdle, Michael Lennon, Matthew McKenna, Colm Meegan, Donal Meegan 0-2 (2f), Paul Meegan 0-1, Ronan Meegan 0-1. Subs: Michael Fitzpatrick for F Duffy, Joe Butler for R Meegan, Paraic Garland for R Lennon. Tweet

Most Read Stories