Drumaness aces in JFC dreamland

15 October 2014

DRUMANESS completed the junior treble after this merited dismissal of Kilclief in a feisty final at Páirc Esler, Newry, on Sunday.
The game hinged on a crazy four minute period from the 25th to the 28th minutes. Despite trailing the St. Colman’s side 0-5 to 0-1, Kilclief fought their way back into the game and by the 24th minute they were 0-6 to 0-5 ahead.
They had Drumaness rattled, but the dismissal of Rory Sharvin with five minutes to go halted their momentum. Sharvin received a second yellow card after dragging Brian McIlmurray to the deck.
This set up Gary Murdock for a free which levelled the game. With only a few minutes of the half remaining, Kilclief’s woes were compounded once more when their other midfielder, Fintan Conway, received his marching orders.
This was a disappointing end to the first half for the loughshore side who did so well in coming back from a strong Drumaness start.
Drumaness full forward Donal Kennedy was their main man early on as he had three points from play in the first ten minutes. Ricky Kerr had a goal disallowed for Kilclief while Ciaran Sloan had a powerful drive ricochet back off the bar.
Daryl McAleenan made a huge impact on the tussle at the start of the second half. The accurate attacker came off the bench to land two points within the first three minutes to edge Drumaness clear.
A Gary Murdock free made it a three point game before Ciaran Sloan was at the double for Kilclief who brought the deficit back to the minimum.
The 40th minute was to mark Kilclief’s last score. Playing with 13 men was proving to be very difficult and Drumaness’ superior fitness and greater energy reserves started to become more evident.
With ten minutes to go Gary Murdock slotted over another free.
The superb Donal Kennedy banged over two in quick succession as the battle started sliding towards the St. Colman’s outfit.
With the final whistle looming, Kilclief were out on their feet as Brian McIlmurray and Gary Murdock raised the white flag to put six in it at Ronan Barry’s long whistle.
Colum Flynn and his management team will have been delighted with how the game panned out.
With star players Paul Gilchrist and Brian McIlmurray unusually subdued, Donal Kennedy stood up to the plate and delivered a fine performance.
The classy target man whacked over five points from play in a talismanic performance. Gary O’Hare was accomplished in goal and his variation of kick outs worked well for the team.
The solid presence of Michael Rainey at centre half back held the defence together during tight periods with Brian McGivern and Gary Murdock also impressive in their roles.
The experienced duo of Philip Rogan and Neil Stranney got though a lot of good work in the attack with Kennedy on hand to deliver the goods.
Daryl McAleenan brought a different dimension to the team coming from the bench and his two points were valuable at the start of the second half.
The two sending offs damaged Kilclief no end and they arrived at a stage when they actually looked like they had the measure of Drumaness.
The brilliant Ciaran Sloan carried the battle to the opposition for the hour with captain Aidan McCann, Conor Sloan, Ricky Kerr and Ryan Kerr all instrumental in their team’s efforts.
If Kilclief had of had their full compliment on for the duration then the result might have been very different. However, that’s a what if.
Drumaness were cool and collected in the heat of battle and they saw out the game with a degree of maturity.
Their success was richly deserved and they now venture into Ulster in the form of their lives.
Drumaness: G. O’Hare, B. McGivern, R. Walsh, P. Cassidy, R. Connolly, Mi. Rainey, G. Murdock (0-5, 5F), P. Gilchrist, C. Murdock, B. McIlmurray (0-1), N. Stranney (0-1), P. Rogan, N. McAleenan, D. Kennedy (0-5), R. Murdock.
Subs: R. Noade, D. McAleenan (0-2), S. Melville, Ma. Rainey, P. Rice, K. Rogan.
Kilclief: J. Swail, Ry. Kerr, L. Woods, N. Hynds, R. Strain, J. Hanvey, A. McCann, F. Conway, R. Sharvin, E. King (0-1), Co. Sloan (0-2), K. Shields, Ci. Sloan (0-3, 2F), D. Curran (0-1), Ri. Kerr (0-1). Subs: C. Hynds, S. Cultra, M. Polly, O. Curran.
Drumaness 0-14
Kilclief 0-8
DOWN JFC FINAL

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