Powerful Drom & Inch display dispatches Holycross Ballycahill in Division 3 League final

TEMPLETUOHY BUS & CAB HIRE DIVISION 3 FINAL

Drom-Inch 1-23

Holycross-Ballycahill 2-14

Drom-Inch landed a second Mid league title in twenty four hours as their side captured the Templetuohy Cab and Bus Hire Mid JH League division three title with a comfortable win over Holycross Ballycahill in the final at Drombane on Saturday evening.

It was the victor's second success over their rivals in league finals at the week-end and from an early stage it was apparent that there was only going to be one winner as the Drom lads took control from the start and were 1-7 to 0-2 clear by the end of the first quarter.

Enda Walsh’s goal off a long range free in the second minute took a deflection on its way to the net to put Drom 1-2 to 0-1 ahead and by the 25th minute they were 1-11 to 0-4 clear and moving out of sight thanks to some tidy points from Kevin Butler and sub Ben Stapleton who came on for the injured Diarmuid Brennan after 15 minutes.

Paul Kennedy and Shane Hassett also added to the Drom tally with Holycross depending largely on Pierce Briody frees to their scores.

Holycross improved in the second quarter but at the interval they were 0-7 to 1-13 adrift, their chances of the title fading, if not gone.

A Briody point on resuming raised Holycross hopes but inside ten minutes they were gone as Drom, with Kevin Butler (2) and Ben Stapleton (3) leading the way stretched their advantage to 1-20 to 0-9.

Holycross switched Donnacha Duggan to full forward and his height and strength gave Drom problems as Holycross fashioned a rally of sorts using the long ball to the full forward line.

Duggan netted after 21 minutes and this, with points from Briody and two from Tom Comerford frees, left them eight points down with as many minutes left (1-12 to 1-20).

Points from Kevin Butler (2 frees) and Ben Stapleton steadied Drom nerves and Pierce Briody’s goal for Holycross in injury time came too late to make any difference.

This win rounded off a most successful weekend for the Drom boys who will now look forward to the championship with justifiable confidence, although some of this squad will surely be operating at a higher level then.

They looked sharper all the way with far superior potential in front of goal, nine of their side getting on the score sheet. Former seniors Kevin Butler, Shane Hassett and Micheal Butler used their experience to good effect while Ben Stapleton had a huge impact when introduced. Enda Walsh, Paul Kennedy, Eoghan Kennedy and Jamie Ryan were others to catch the eye.

Holycross-Ballycahill were short some regulars and their slow start scuppered their chances. They were playing catch-up from an early stage and did not have the firepower to make up the leeway but their strong finish will give them heart facing into the championship.

Goalie Tossy Lowry was sound all through with the Stakelums Pierce and Pat strong at the heart of the defence. Team captain Eamon Ryan led by example at midfield where T J Ryan also did well. Pierce Briody and Donnacha Duggan were the main threat up front.

Drom & Inch: Seamus Butler; Eoghan Kennedy, James Kennedy (0-1), Jamie Ryan; Martin McGrath (0-1), Enda Walsh (1-0f), Diarmuid Brennan; Rory O’Dwyer, Jack Johnson; Joe Lupton, Kevin Butler (0-8, 0-5fs), Shane Hassett (0-2); Paul Kennedy (0-3), Michael Butler (0-1), Daniel McAllister (0-1).

Subs: Ben Stapleton (0-6), Aaron Shanahan, Donnacha Barry, Tim Comerford, Paul Hennessy.

Holycross Ballycahill: Tossy Lowry; Luke Scally, Conor Ryan, Rory Fleming; Pierce Stakelum, Pat Stakelum, Seanie McGarth; TJ Ryan (0-1), Eamon Ryan; Seanie Comerford, Donnacha Duggan (1-0),Audie Lohan; Kamil Rusinek, Pierce Briody (1-9, 0-7f), John Dwan.

Subs: John Dunne (0-1), Lee Ferncombe, Colin Nolan, Tomas Comerford (0-3, 0-1f), Justin Bergin-Maher).

Referee: Michael Heffernan (Moycarkey Borris)