Drumcullen edge out St Rynagh's to claim place in intermediate hurling final

Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final

DRUMCULLEN 0-17

ST RYNAGH'S 0-16

DRUMCULLEN claimed their place in the Offaly Intermediate Hurling Final with a hard fought one point victory over St Rynagh's in a tightly contested semi-final played in Kinnitty on Sunday.

There was little to separate the sides throughout but Drumcullen finished the stronger to come from behind in the last five minutes to edge home and set up a county final meeting with Coolderry.

Drumcullen led for the majority of the game but fell behind for the first time with eight minutes left but they picked themselves up again and with Rynagh's reduced to 14 players late in the game, they picked off the points that saw them through to the final.

St Rynagh's started slowly and trailed by four points on two occasions in the first half but they grew into the game and were two points down at half time. They drew level early in the second half and after going three down again they reeled in Drumcullen and five points in seven minutes at the start of the final quarter edged them in front for the first time and they seemed to have the momentum with them. But the pendulum swung again with five minutes to go when Dominic Healy picked up a second yellow card and Drumcullen levelled from the resulting free and pushed two ahead again before Rynagh's reduced it to one but couldn't get the score to send the game to extra time.

So Drumcullen stand just 60 minutes away from winning the intermediate title for just the second time and regaining their place in the Senior B grade as the club bids to rise up the ranks again after some tough years. They started very confidently and dominated the opening stages and probably should have been a bit further ahead than they were.

Both sides were guilty of missing opportunities, particularly in the opening half which produced 15 wides, nine for St Rynagh's, and many of those chances should have produced scores. St Rynagh's settled after missing a lot of those chances earlier in the game and they worked their way back into the contest and could have been ahead at half time had they converted a penalty just before the break but Killian Spain saved Ciaran Flannery's effort.

Seven of the first eight scores in the second half came from placed balls but then the game seemed to up a level with substitutes Brian Rigney and Paul Quirke giving Rynagh's extra momentum and both hit scores. They began to dominate around the half back and midfield area and Drumcullen were struggling to launch attacks.

The game was very much in the balance over the final quarter and extra time was certainly a possibility but in the end Drumcullen got their noses in front and were relieved to hold on to the final whistle and earn their place in the final.

Goalkeeper Killian Spain made a major contribution as along with that penalty save, he made a terrific late save from Brian Rigney and he was confident in all he did. In defence Ciaran Guinan had a terrific game with Padraic Guinan and John Guinan also contributing well in a solid defensive unit. Stephen Hanrahan worked hard at midfield and Mark Kennedy made an impact when moved out for the second half. In attack Eoin Gath, Patrick Lyons and John Murray all made a big impact and a day after helping the Junior C side win the county title, Colm Gath did well when introduced for the second half.

Ciaran Flannery had a solid game in goals for St Rynagh's while in defence Daire Daly, David Rigney and Mike McLoughlin worked very hard. Paul Cannon and Niall Flannery put in a good shift around the middle of the field while in attack Evan Houlihan, Jerome Flannery and Donal Moran contributed well with subs Brian Rigney and Paul Quirke also making an impact.

It took Drumcullen just 12 seconds to get off the mark when Dermot Gath fed the ball in to John Murray and he split the posts. Both sides had wides before Eoin Gath added a second for Drumcullen after five minutes and he added another from a ninth minute free. St Rynagh's got their first score in the 11^th minute when Michael Boylan finished a three man move with a good point.

Eoin Gath pointed another free midway through the half but Jerome Flannery replied with a point from 65m. Two Eoin Gath frees pushed the lead to four after 21 minutes and after Donie Moran pointed a Rynagh's free, John Murray notched his second for Drumcullen after 24 minutes. Mike McLoughlin and Ciaran Flannery from a free on his own 65m line halved the lead and just on the half hour mark Rynagh's were awarded a penalty when Donie Moran was fouled. Goalkeeper Ciaran Flannery came forward to take it but although he struck it well, Killian Spain got behind it and saved well to maintain Drumcullen's 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead.

Eoin Gath pointed a free 40 seconds into the second half but Donal Moran then pointed three frees in succession to bring the sides level for the first time after 36 minutes. Patrick Lyons quickly restored the Drumcullen lead and Eoin Gath added a free and although Donie Moran pulled one back, Eoin Gath added a '65' after Colm Gath's low effort was saved by Ciaran Flannery, and then scored another from play to restore the three point gap after 43 minutes.

Donie Moran pointed another free for Rynagh;s and then Colm Gath slotted over a nice point. Straight from the puck out Paul Quirke gained possession near the right sideline and fired over a great point quickly followed by another from the other sub Brian Rigney. Patrick Lyons kept the score ticking over for Drumcullen but Niall Flannery quickly responded and Donie Moran then pointed two frees to put Rynagh's ahead for the first time with eight minutes left.

Then with five minutes left Dominic Healy picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Colm Gath as he headed goalwards and Eoin Gath levelled from the free. He quickly added another free to put them back in front but Rynagh's then had a great goal chance when Brian Rigney fielded a high ball from Evan Houlihan and fired goalwards but Killian Spain pulled off a terrific save and as the ball dropped he volleyed it clear to keep his side ahead. Colm Gath pushed the lead out to two but they missed the chance to stretch it to three. Donie Moran then reduced the gap to the minimum from a '65' but they were unable to find an equaliser and Drumcullen advanced to the final.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

DRUMCULLEN: Killian Spain; Ciaran Guinan, Donal Guinan, Barry O'Meara; Padraic Guinan, John Cashen, Barry Kinsella; Joe McCarthy, Stephen Hanrahan; Eoin Gath, Dermot Gath, Parick Lyons; Dylan Hollywood, Mark Kennedy Jnr, John Murray. Subs. Colm Gath (for Joe McCarthy, half time), Conor Gath (for Dylan Hollywood, 45 mins).

ST RYNAGH'S: Ciaran Flannery; Dominic Healy, Mike Harrington, Daire Daly; Eric Rigney, David Rigney, Mike McLoughlin; Paul Cannon, Niall Flannery; Jacob Mahon, Evan Houlihan, Jerome Flannery; Michael Boylan, Damien McLoughlin, Donie Moran. Subs. Brian Rigney (for Damien McLoughlin, 36 mins), Paul Quirke (for Eric Rigney, 41 mins).

REFEREE: David McLoughlin (Shinrone).

MAN OF THE MATCH

There were a couple of strong contenders – goalkeeper Killian Spain made some vital saves and Ciaran Guinan was very prominent in defence – but I've gone for Eoin Gath. Not only did he slot over 11 points, two from play, but he was very much involved in the action particularly in the second half when Rynagh's were at their most threatening.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Killian Spain's 58^th minute save from Brian Rigney was top drawer and ensured Drumcullen kept their lead at a very late stage. They had a one point lead when Rigney fielded a high ball and fired goalwards. Spain brilliantly got a stick to the ball which went up in the air and he had the presence of mind to turn and volley it clear as it dropped behind him to keep his goal intact.

REFEREE WATCH

Damien McLoughlin handled the game well. He was very clear in signalling what frees were for and while there may have been arguments over one or two decisions he got the majority of them correct. He handed out eight yellow cards and there can have been little quibble with any of them.

WHAT’S NEXT

Drumcullen advance to the intermediate hurling final where they will face old rivals Coolderry as they bid to regain their place in the Senior B grade. It's the end of the season for St Rynagh;s.

VENUE WATCH

Kinnitty hosted this game very well. There was ample parking space and with the improved entrance road, they organised parking very efficiently with plenty of stewards on duty. Importantly they also controlled traffic back onto the main road after the game. The pitch was in very good order and everything ran smoothly.

STATISTICS

Wides; Drumcullen 11 (6 in first half) St Rynagh's 12 (9 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Drumcullen 2 (Ciaran Guinan, Padraic Guinan) St Rynagh's 6 (Dominic Healy x 2, Niall Flannery, Paul Cannon, Mike Harrington, Ciaran Flannery).

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: Drumcullen 0 St Rynagh's 1 (Dominic Healy)

THE SCORERS

Drumcullen: Eoin Gath (0-11, 0-8 free, 0-1 '65'), John Murray, Patrick Lyons, Colm Gath (0-2 each).

St Rynagh's; Donie Moran (0-9, 0-8 frees, 0-1 '65'), Michael Boylan, Jerome Flannery, Mike McLoughlin, Ciaran Flannery (free), Paul Quirke, Brian Rigney, Niall Flannery (0-1 each).