Drumbaragh Emmets 0-10
Longwood 1-6
Drumbaragh held on to retain their Intermediate Football Championship status after this very entertaining relegation quarter-final at Carnaross.
It seemed as though it would be a long night for Drumbaragh with the concession of 1-2 inside the first 7 minutes. with Ryan Moore causing plenty of trouble to the Drums’ rear-guard. One minute later Drumbaragh were on the scoreboard through a mark from Hughie Corcoran soon followed by a Joe Carry point from distance as Longwood began to retreat and maintain their 3 point margin. A tight, tense, tough tackling affair, meant space and time was a rare commodity under the Carnaross lights – it was looking like it was going to be a quiet night for Ronan Ward on scoreboard duty! Longwood tried their best to shackle the double threat of Hughie and Jimmy Corcoran but this only created gaps for Carry and a fine score by Paddy Murray to level things as Drumbaragh began to take hold of the game.
Longwood failed to score for the final 20 minutes of the first half the Emmets tagging on seven points without reply with Davy Cahill’s men went to the break 0-7 to 1-2 in front.
Hughie Corcoran continued his fine form with the first two points of the second half, Drumbaragh were well on top and should have been further ahead before Longwood ended their 30 minute scoring drought to keep them in it, with the scores at 0-09 to 1-03. Ryan Moore had a good chance to reduce the deficit from a placed ball but his effort went to the left and wide of Jake Balfe’s post County man Harry O’Higgins extended Drumbaragh’s lead, topping off a fine workman-like display in a bruising encounter.
From there on, Longwood controlled the game and needed a goal, but they were unable to unlock a very impressive Drumbaragh defence led by the impressive John D Smith, alongside John Morrissey and the returning James McGovern. Longwood battled hard with Mickey Burke (2) and Moore narrowing the lead to one with the tension rising around the Páirc Naomh Chiarán night sky. County ‘keeper Harry Hogan was now nearer the Drumbaragh goal than his own, as Longword tried to force the matter, his chance came in the 5th minute of additional time, when his side were awarded a free. The ground fell into silence as Hogan struck, however his shot faded left which was met with a massive Drumbaragh roar as referee Robbie Barrett blew for full-time.
A massive result, securing intermediate football for 2024 after an encouraging campaign. All to play for when the new season comes round.
Drumbaragh scorers: Hughie Corcoran 0-6, Joe Carry 0-2, Harry O’Higgins and Paddy Murray 0-1 each
Longwood scorers: Ryan Moore 1-2, Mickey Burke 0-2, Thomas Coloe and Ciaran Sheridan 0-1 each.
