Kilruane MacDonaghs' goals the telling difference in county final victory over Drom & Inch

FBD Insurance County U21B Hurling Championship Final

Kilruane MacDonaghs 4-17 

Drom & Inch 2-13

By Liam Hogan

The final scoreline left no doubt that Kilruane MacDonaghs comprehensively defeated the 14-man Drom & Inch side at sunny Templederry last Friday, St Stephen’s Day.

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The 11-point victory could have been much more but for much squandering, with the winners shooting 13 wides (nine for Drom), while the runners-up produced a big finish with two goals in the last eight minutes, putting a better picture on the scoreboard.

But despite all the statistics surrounding the game, there is still the lingering doubt as to how the game would have panned out had Drom & Inch, who were full value up to then, not lost wing forward David Kinnane, who saw red in the 28th minute for his late tackle on Kilruane’s Shane Cleary, who had just made a clearance.

From my vantage point, referee Anthony Owens did not see the incident as he allowed play to continue before taking charge of things and, following consultations with his officials, he issued a red card to a shocked David Kinnane.

The red card was arguably very harsh and playing a man down made it an uphill battle for the Mid champions, which was not helped by the concession of two goals in the 36th and 41st minutes, which took the sting out of Drom’s battle plans.

At the time of the dismissal, Kilruane had a five-point lead, 2-6 to 0-7, but the margin was cut to four by half-time, 2-7 to 0-9. On reaching the 40th minute, the North champions had added two more goals, with the fourth by Tommy O’Meara having the margin out to 11. Game over.

First Half

It was a real pity because the opening passages of play were in direct contrast to the second half, as both sides produced scores, starting with a Cian Moyles score after 12 seconds, matched by an equalising point from Cormac Fitzpatrick some 80 seconds later.

But by the sixth minute, Kilruane had opened a four-point lead thanks to a 1-2 burst, the goal by Fiachra Ahearne Woods when he first-timed in a crowded goal after a move initiated by Cian Moyles’ great run from distance.

But despite the setback, Drom showed real courage and four unanswered points, with Cormac Fitzpatrick providing a 65 after a save by Tom Austin, plus two frees Darragh Fitzpatrick pointed from the left, brought the teams level by the 14th minute.

Fitzpatrick was one of a number of Drom & Inch players full of running in the green jersey, with Jack Johnson running the show at midfield, while Eoin Kennedy and Mark Conroy were in command in the spine of a much-settled backline.

The Kilruane defence had plenty to cheer about too. Shane Cleary’s command over Cormac Fitzpatrick was notable in front of a close-marking full-back line, with corner-back Cormac Kennedy particularly noticeable. It was noteworthy that midfielder Cian Moyles, as he did so many times in the semi-final win over Fethard, led many a run and had the Drom defence worried.

As a result, the period of three minutes between the 17th and 20th minute saw Kilruane take a clear advantage, beginning with a Shane Cleary point from far out. Seconds later, Tommy O’Meara showed great skill and balance when an absent defence allowed the Kilruane centre forward coast along the end line before his two-handed bat flew past Sean Dempsey in the Drom goal. Kilruane 2-4 Drom & Inch 0-6.

However, Cormac Fitzpatrick’s quick response from a free kept Drom sweet. Michael Cleary replied with two pointed frees, the first after Jack Mulcahy was fouled, with the second following a foul on Cian Moyles, who had danger written all over the Drom goal area.

Not to be outdone, Drom’s fighting qualities helped them respond with two Cormac Fitzpatrick frees either side of another Michael Cleary free, which arose from David Kinnane’s dismissal. Half-time score: Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-7 Drom & Inch 0-9.

The second half continued in the same style, with Michael Cleary and Cormac Fitzpatrick swapping frees. Kilruane lost Jack Mulcahy to injury in the 33rd minute as Eoin Carroll picked off a well-taken point, only to see a similar response from Drom full forward Conor Gleeson two minutes later.

But in a matter of minutes, the game changed complexion and in the 36th minute Eoin Carroll was first to react to a great save by Sean Dempsey, who had denied Charlie Kennedy from close range. Cormac Fitzpatrick, who had been kept quiet under the watchful eye of Shane Cleary, replied with a free, his eighth placed ball and seventh free, but the extra man was beginning to tell as Kilruane hit 1-5 without reply in a 12-minute burst, the goal by Tommy O’Meara from almost the end line, with the other five points coming from the tireless Fiachra Ahearne Woods, Michael Cleary (free), Charlie Kennedy (two) and Michael Cleary’s first point from play.

Leading by 15 points, it was all over bar the shouting, but in fairness the Mid champions never gave up and a goal by midfielder Cormac Cahill was quickly added to by another Fitzpatrick free in the 55th minute.

Michael Cleary replied with a free, but substitute TJ Kinnane had the Kilruane line breached for their second goal from inside a crowded square with two minutes remaining, before winning captain Eoin Carroll had the final say with a great point, leaving Kilruane the winners.

Scorers: Kilruane MacDonaghs: Michael Cleary (0-7, 0-5f, 0-1’65), Tommy O’Meara 2-0, Eoin Carroll, Fiachra Ahearne Woods 1-2 each, Charlie Kennedy 0-3, Cian Moyles, Shane Cleary, Brian O’Meara 0-1 each. 

Drom & Inch: Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-10, 0-8f, 0-1’65); TJ Kinnane, Cormac Cahill 1-0 each; Darragh Fitzpatrick 0-2, Conor Gleeson 0-1. 

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Tom Austin; Cormac Kennedy, Eamon Coonan, Paul Molloy; Ross Austin, Shane Cleary, Cathal England; Cian Moyles, Brian O’Meara; Fiachra  Ahearne Woods, Tommy O’Meara, Michael Cleary; Charlie Kennedy, Jack Mulcahy, Eoin Carroll.

Subs: Johnny Naughnane for Mulcahy (33inj); Sean Hayes for R Austin (51); Cormac Gaynor for England (53); Jack Quinlisk for Charlie Kennedy (57); Michael Hennelly for Ahearne Woods (59). 

Drom Inch: Sean Dempsey; Jack Sheridan, Eoghan Kennedy (Capt), Paddy Hoare; Jamie Shanahan, Mark Conroy, Darragh Hoare; Cormac Cahill, Jack Johnson; David Kinane, Cormac Fitzpatrick, Jack Costello; Darragh Fitzpatrick, Conor Gleeson, James Ryan. 

Subs: TJ Kinnane for Sheridan (47); Tim Comerford for J Costello (59). 

Referee:  Anthony Owens (Solohead)