Drumcullen perform on big day to book final slot against Birr

DRUMCULLEN certainly performed on the big day as they booked a final slot with Birr in the Intermediate Hurling Championship at Lusmagh on Sunday.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Drumcullen 2-19

St Rynagh's 0-15

Drumcullen were full value for their win, taking control in the first half and keeping St Rynagh's at arms length throughout the second half, not conceding a goal and not letting them get close enough to cause true anxiety.

It was a very good display by Drumcullen, with the Gath's Eoin and Colm leading the way. They had some other very good individual displays but it was a very composed, effective all round team performance that saw them make the final.

St Rynagh's will be very disappointed at their display. They just didn't play that well on the day. They were reliant on former senior stalwart Gary Conneely for scores – he obliged with ten points but even at that, his eye wasn't fully in.

St Rynagh's could have been a lot closer and they needed goals to survive. Donal Og Moran and Michael Boylan hit the cross bar from a few metres out in the 13^th and 42nd minutes while Boylan also had a great goal chance deflected out for a '65' with five minutes left. The first two misses were particularly influential as one of those goals could have changed things – both Moran and Boylan were unlucky but went too high with their strikes, which were calling out for daisy cutters.

Drumcullen, however, were clearly the better team on the day and will be delighted with the overall quality of their hurling. They were determined, tenacious and very solid in possession.

Drumcullen laid a powerful foundation in the first few minutes. They were 1-3 to no score up after six minutes with Joe McCarthy firing home an excellent goal in the third minute.

Their first five scores were all shared by different players and Ray Gath became the first to put two ticks beside his name when he pointed to make it 1-5 to 0-1 in the 14^th minute. Drumcullen were very efficient in the first half and their 1-10 to 0-7 half time lead was a fair reflection of the difference between the sides.

Even though playing against the wind in the second half, St Rynagh's were not out of it and were in an identical position to Birr who were six points down in their semi-final against Shamrocks on Saturday and found a way to win it.

Drumcullen, however, performed way better than Shamrocks in the second half. They conceded two quick points but a fantastic Colm Gath goal when he raced through the middle in the 33^rd minute gave Drumcullen a 2-10 to 0-9 lead and they more or less held that cushion. The closest St Rynagh's could get was five, 2-12 to 0-13 behind after 44 minutes but Drumcullen were able to keep the score board ticking over with some inspirational scores.

They were 2-18 to 0-14 ahead with seven minutes left and St Rynagh's were gone. The only incidents of note late on was a niggle that erupted with a couple of flare ups as it all got very messy but Drumcullen held their heads – with their sideline mentors roaring in to make sure no one picked up a silly red card.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Colm Gath (Drumcullen): A real tough call between Eoin and Colm Gath. Both were brilliant with Eoin scoring six of his eleven points from play and working so hard off the ball as well. Colm Gath edges it by a whisker. He put in a serious shift at midfield, scored a sensational goal and a point from play and really helped steady the shift whenever pressure did come on. A lightening fast player, he created a buzz when he did get the ball in open space. John Cashin had a great game at the heart of defence but very few players didn't go well on the day.

THE SCORERS

Drumcullen: Eoin Gath 0-11 (5f), Colm Gath 1-2 (1f), Joe McCarthy 1-0, Ray Gath 0-2, Patrick Lyons, Dylan Hollywood, Dermot Gath, Mark Kennedy jnr 0-1 each.

St Rynagh's: Gary Conneely 0-10 (8f), Paul Quirke, Oisin Hickey, Eanna Mulhare, Donal Og Moran and Michael Boylan 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

DRUMCULLEN: Killian Spain; Donal Mahon, Barry O'Meara, Jack Ryan; Ciaran Guinan, John Cashin, Barry Kinsella; Stephen Hanrahan, Colm Gath; Ray Gath, Dermot Gath, Joe McCarthy; Dylan Hollywood, Patrick Lyons, Eoin Gath. Subs – Padraig Guinan for Ray Gath (35m), Donal Guinan for Kinsella (44m), Mark Kennedy jnr for Hollywood (47m), Conor Gath for McCarthy (57m), Kevin Fleury for Hanrahan (60m).

ST RYNAGH'S: Ciaran Flynn; Eric Rigney, Michael Harrington, Kian Costello; Damien McLoughlin, David Rigney, Sean Finneran; Michael McLoughlin, Paul Quirke; Oisin Hickey, Gary Conneely, Harry Grant; Eanna Mulhare, Donal Og Moran, Michael Boylan. Subs – Brian Rigney for Hickey (HT), Oisin Hickey for Moran (41m), Caoimhin Malone for Grant (47m), Ciaran Flannery for Mulhare (55m).

Referee – David McLoughlin, Shinrone.

REFEREE WATCH

David McLoughlin was a busy man and it wasn't an easy game to referee. St Rynagh's contested a good few of his decisions but also got their share of 50-50 or debatable calls. The Shinrone man wasn't fully comfortable but he handled it well and fairly, showing cards to keep players in order – once again, there was a lot of comments thrown at the officials from people on the sideline and spectators it is something that really needs to be stamped out.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Colm Gath's goal at the start of the second half was worth the trip to Lusmagh while it also gave Drumcullen a cushion to keep St Rynagh's from developing real momentum.

VENUE WATCH

Lusmagh's peripheral location means that they don't get a huge volume of games but they have a lovely set up and the pride they have in their facilities was evident to all here. They managed the fixture very well with loads of stewards.

WHAT'S NEXT

Drumcullen go onto the final against Birr.

STATISTICS

Wides: Drumcullen - 11 (5 in first half); St Rynagh's – 8 (6 in first half).
Yellow cards: Drumcullen – 3 (John Cashin, Ray Gath, Donal Guinan); St Rynagh's – 3 (Oisin Hickey, Brian Rigney, Ciaran Flannery).

Red cards: 0.