Simonstown 1-13 Drumbaragh 3-16
Drumbaragh knew only a win away to Simonstown would secure semi-final berth in this year’s U19 B Football Championship.
A quick start was required following a heavy defeat in the previous round to St.Marys. However it was first blood Simonstown with a point within seconds of the throw-up. A brace of points from Jake Madden and captain Hughie Corcoran in the opening ten minutes steadied any early Drumbaragh nerves.
Drumbaragh would go on to dominate proceedings in the first-half, Tomás Doogan and Mikie Mongey the springboard for all things in attack. Evan Demange put in a savage shift on the night and pointed for Drumbaragh’s fifth, before midfielder Shea McManus somehow got the first goal of the night after a goalmouth scramble.
Drumbaragh’s management will take the kudos on getting their matchup right on the night, the most telling stat of the first-half was Drumbaragh shutting Simonstown out for 25 minutes. Jack Galligan and Luke Quinn worked tirelessly, leaving their host frustrated and forcing shots from distance. The hosts doubled theor tally on the 26th minute directly after Conor Kirwan had slotted one over for The Drums.
Cameron Feehan showed his keen eye for goal, raising the green flag for his side’s second goal, before McManus topped off a fantastic team move with a point to leave the visitors ten points to the good at the interval.
HT – Simonstown 0-03 Drumbaragh 2-07.
Drumbaragh were caught cold in the opening minutes of the second-half, Simonstown reeling off a quickfire 1-02 to cut the lead to five. Drumbaragh however we’re not for catching with the trio of Feehan, Corcoran and Madden adding further points, before a Scott Lynch goal had the wind firmly in the Drumbaragh sails.
Credit to Drumbaragh’s defensive pack led by the experienced Jake Balfe, Lewis O’Donnell and the returning Josh Hennessy who dealt well during a Simonstown purple-patch. Wing-back Adam O’Brien capped of a fine night’s work with a point play. Jake Madden put in a Man of the Match performance, adding a sixth point to his tally and was clinical all night, giving the Simonstown rearguard a torrid time.
Credit to Simonstown they didn’t throw in the towel and found success from shooting from range as the game got stretched and limbs began to tire (it’s a big pitch!) Tom Tracey, pointed within seconds of his introduction to top of a fine team performance and a commanding victory away from home.
Many thanks to Simonstown for a tough game on the field and great hospitality off it! We look forward to a Championship Semi-Final in a week’s time.
Drumbaragh: Jake Balfe, Jack Galligan, Lewis O’Donnell, Josh Hennessy, Luke Quinn, Evan Demange (0-01), Adam O’Brien (0-01), Shea McManus (1-01), Tomás Doogan, Scott Lynch (1-00), Hughie Corcoran (0-05), Mikie Mongey, Conor Kirwan (0-01), Cameron Feehan (1-01), Jake Madden (0-06).
Subs: Niall McGee for Lynch, Tom Tracey (0-01) for Mongey, Adam Kirwan for Feehan.
