Drumaness 147 see off Grinders in final

Drumaness 147 see off Grinders in final

26 October 2016

THE Brannigan Cup has produced some terrific matches over the years, but this Drumaness derby was right up there with the best as Drumaness 147 defeated their clubmates, the Grinders, in a sensational match.

The Grinders, going into the final, were no doubt the underdogs, but with the experience of Seamus McGivern, league individual champion Stevie Anderson and Mick Casement, they had earned their place in the final. 

However, they were up against a formidable side in the shape of Darren Dornan, now firmly established as one of the elite amateurs in the country, Eamon Ferris, who recently lifted the NI U-21 championship, and David Madine, a player who can give anyone a game.

The first frame kicked off between Stevie Anderson and Eamon Ferris, while on the other table Mick Casement cued off against David Madine.

Eamon, giving 42 away on handicap, had everything his own way as Stevie struggled to settle, Eamon coming out a 92-47 winner.

Madine and Casement struck blow for blow to the final colours with both players neck and neck, but it was Madine who managed to edge in front 53-40 to give Drumaness 147 a 56-point lead after two frames.

In frame three Darren Dornan faced Seamus McGivern, with Seamus badly needing to get points on the board for the Grinders.

Things were looking promising as Seamus defended his 42 -oint handicap advantage well, but Dornan, who thrives under pressure, knocked in a 42 break as he cleared to the final pink and later potted the black after a brief safety exchange, winning the frame 79-57 and furthering the lead for Drumaness 147.

The fourth frame proved to be the biggest shock of the night as Mick Casement showed why he got to the final with a fantastic display of potting, leaving Ferris sidelined with an emphatic 106-23 victory and putting the Grinders right back in contention with a slender lead going into the last two frames.

However, danger was just around the corner as Darren Dornan stepped up for his second frame against Stevie Anderson.

Stevie, receiving 56 points on handicap, could not stop Dornan as he rattled in breaks of 28 and a great 68 clearance to put 147 firmly back into the driving seat with an overall lead of 30 points going into the last frame featuring Seamus McGivern and David Madine.

After a lot of early nip and tuck Seamus carved out an early lead of 33-16, needing to win the frame by 30 points to lift the trophy.

After a lot of tense interplay by both players, Madine managed to close the gap, and with only the colours remaining, Seamus needed them all with David requiring only yellow and green.

Further safety exchanges and a couple of foul snookers later there were 22 points in the frame with 22 remaining. 

Both players had several opportunities to win the match, but with tension mounting the pockets were appearing to shrink as both looked to kill off the match.

After Seamus managed to pot the brown and blue, a long pink proved to be his downfall as it came to rest over the green pocket.

As Madine slowly limbered up to sink the pink he did so to the delight of his team-mates and Drumaness 147 lifted the Brannigan cup once again.