Drumcullen make no mistake at second attempt to capture intermediate title

DRUMCULLEN are Offaly Intermediate Hurling champions for the second time and first time in 15 years after they defeated Birr in the replayed final at a packed St Rynagh's grounds in Banagher on Sunday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly Intermediate Hurling Final Replay

DRUMCULLEN 2-18 BIRR 0-14

Having been denied at the death in the drawn game, when Birr snatched an injury time goal to equalise, Drumcullen took control early on in this contest and never relinquished their grip and they thoroughly deserved their victory, much to the delight of their large support. They will now return to the Senior B Championship in 2026 after a gap of a number of years.

Birr played their part in the game, but too many missed opportunities, particularly early in the game, cost them dearly and they could have no complaints about the final result.

Drumcullen hit the ground running and were 1-5 to 0-1 ahead after just 13 minutes and Birr were already fighting an uphill battle. Drumcullen were making the best use of every opportunity they got while Birr were missing chances at the other end. They did manage to stem the flow of scores somewhat but Drumcullen still maintained that seven point lead at half time, 1-8 to 0-4.

Birr needed a quick start to the second half and got the first point but then an error in defence was punished and Drumcullen netted their second goal and the gap was out to 11 points just five minutes into the second half. Birr did hit the next four points to get the gap back to seven again but Drumcullen managed to match them point for point after that before putting the gloss on things with late points.

Over the hour Drumcullen played the better hurling. They moved the ball well, put together some neat passing movements and defensively they worked very hard to minimise scoring opportunities for Birr. Their work rate overall was very good and they supported each other very well at all times.

READ NEXT: Kilcormac/Killoughey reign supreme again to retain minor hurling title

Birr struggled to make an impact in attack and too often opted for the long ball into the big men in the full forward line but Drumcullen managed to defend against that very well and Birr weren't able to pick anything off the breaks. Birr did start well enough but they hit five wides in very quick succession inside the opening eight minutes at a time when they could have established themselves in the game, while Drumcullen took every chance that came their way at that time to build up a lead.

Birr kept plugging away but the goal they really needed to spark a potential comeback never came. Their best chance came three minutes before half time but Cillian Spain denied Cian Nolan with a terrific save. After that opening quarter the closest they got was a six point gap with that first point of the second half, but after being hauled back in after leading by five points on three occasions in the drawn game, Drumcullen were determined not to let that happen again. They did go for goals on a couple of occasions in the second half when it might have been wiser to take points, including from a 20m free, and had Birr managed to sneak a goal it could have got interesting, but it worked out well for Drumcullen and they held on to claim the Michael Keary Cup.

Killian Spain did very well to keep a clean sheet in the Drumcullen goals, Barry O'Meara impressed at full back with Ciaran Guinan and John Cashin making an impact on the half back line. Stephen Hanrahan and Colm Gath did a good job in the middle of the field, while Eoin Gath and Patrick Lyons did well in the forward line.

Devon Beale made one great first half save for Birr, Sam Smith, Craig Pardy and Brian Watkins battled hard in defence, Ricky Fitzsimons had some good moments in the middle of the field and Darragh Tierney, Cian Nolan and Cathal Kirwan tried hard in attack.

Birr made a good start when centre back Craig Pardy raced up the left wing and fired over a good point just a minute in. Eoin Gath pointed two frees in quick succession as Birr proceeded to hit four wides on the trot. Joe McCarthy popped over another point for Drumcullen and Dermot Gath finished another good move with their fourth point.

READ NEXT: First half excellence secures promotion for Tullamore as St Brigid's go down fighting

Then after 11 minutes Patrick Lyons was fouled and Colm Gath drilled the penalty low to the Birr net and Drumcullen were in the driving seat. The same player added a point from a free from well inside his own half and they were 1-5 to 0-1 ahead midway through the half. Birr did have a goal disallowed when Cathal Kirwan's long free was doubled to the net by Dylan Murphy but it was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

Drumcullen came close to a second goal when Eoin Gath was put through but Devon Beale pulled off a tremendous save and the ball was knocked out for a '65' which Colm Gath pointed and he added another free after 21 minutes.

Birr had gone 23 minutes without a score before Cathal Kirwan pointed a 20m free after 24 minutes and they then had a chance of a goal when sub Ronan Bergin set up Cian Nolan but Cillian Spain made a terrific save and got the ball away. Birr recycled it and Ricky Fitzsimons pointed. Eoin Gath and Cathal Kirwan exchanged points from frees late in the half and Drumcullen went in at half time leading by 1-8 to 0-4.

Birr got the first score of the second half when Cathal Kirwan pointed a free but just as in the first half, Eoin Gath replied with two frees for Drumcullen. Then came the second goal when Colm Gath intercepted a Birr pass, and ran on and popped the ball in to Dylan Hollywood who pulled first time low to the net from an angle on the left.

Birr responded well to that setback with the next four points, two Cathal Kirwan frees, another long range free from Craig Shortt and a point from Eoin Pilkington to bring the gap back to seven points. In that same period at the other end Colm Gath went for goal from a 20m free but his shot came back off the crossbar and the follow up was also blocked by the Birr defence.

Eoin Gath hit a good point from the left for Drumcullen to keep them eight points up. Cian Nolan replied again for Birr but Eoin Gath kept Drumcullen in control with a pointed free. The sides continued to exchange points with Darragh Tierney and Max Boyd pointing for Birr and Eoin Gath and Patrick Lyons responding for Drumcullen and Eoin Gath then pushed the gap to nine points with a fine point from midfield.

Darragh Tierney hit another for Birr from the puck out but Eoin Gath reponsded from another free. Cian Nolan hit Birr's last point but Eoin Gath and Colm Gath hit the last two scores for Drumcullen to give them a 10 point victory margin.

READ NEXT: Ballinagar come good at last to secure semi-final with great win over table toppers

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

DRUMCULLEN: Killian Spain; Donal Mahon, Barry O'Meara, Jack Ryan; Ciaran Guinan, John Cashin, Barry Kinsella; Stephen Hanrahan, Colm Gath; Padraig Guinan, Dermot Gath, Joe McCarthy; Patrick Lyons, Eoin Gath; Dylan Hollywood. Subs. Donal Guinan (for Donal Mahon, 34 mins), Mark Kennedy Jnr (for Padraig Guinan, 46 mins), Conor Gath (for Dylan Hollywood, 49 mins), Ray Gath (for Joe McCarthy, 57 mins).

BIRR: Devon Beale; Joseph Boyd, Sam Smith, Adriano Szoma; Max Boyd, Craig Pardy, Brian Watkins; Ricky Fitzsimons, Craig Shortt; Darragh McNamara, Eoin Pilkington, Darragh Tierney; Cian Nolan, Dylan Murphy, Cathal Kirwan. Subs. Ronan Bergin (for Dylan Murphy, 19 mins), Ben Pardy (for Adriano Szoma, 34 mins), Michael Dwane (for Eoin Pilkington, 50 mins), Kevin Tierney (for Craig Pardy, 56 mins).

REFEREE: Matthew Farrell

MAN OF THE MATCH

Drumcullen captain Eoin Gath led by example and finished the game with 11 points, three of them from play. He was also denied a first half goal by a tremendous Devon Beale save. His all round play was excellent and he deserved the award. Wing back Ciaran Guinan and full back Barry O'Meara also deserve mention for their roles in a big defensive display.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The opening quarter of the match was the decisive period. Drumcullen had built up a seven point lead after 13 minutes, 1-5 to 0-1, and only once, briefly for less than a minute at the start of the second half, did Birr manage to get the gap below seven points after that. They more or less matched each other score for score until Drumcullen pulled out to 10 points in the final seconds but that opening period was also decisive as Birr missed a lot of chances in those opening minutes, hitting five wides in about five minutes at a time when they could have taken an early advantage.

REFEREE WATCH

Matthew Farrell did a good job throughout. He was strict in his application of the rules and dished out yellow cards early to both sides. Did pull back a few quick puck outs which frustrated some, but overall he got the big calls right and controlled the game well.

WHAT’S NEXT

Drumcullen now progress to the Leinster Junior championship where they will face an away fixture in Kilkenny

VENUE WATCH

There was another huge crowd in Banagher for this eagerly awaited replay and the St Rynagh's Club were well prepared to cater for the crowd. Parking was well regulated and there were plenty of stewards on duty to ensure everything ran smoothly.

STATISTICS

Wides; Drumcullen 7 (2 in first half) Birr 11 (8 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Drumcullen 2 (Eoin Gath, Peter Lyons) Birr 3 (Joseph Boyd, Adriano Szoma, Craig Shortt)

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Drumcullen; Eoin Gath (0-11, 0-8 frees), Colm Gath (1-4, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees, 0-1 '65'), Dylan Hollywood (1-0), Joe McCarthy, Dermot Gath, Patrick Lyons (0-1 each).

Birr; Cathal Kirwan (0-5, frees), Cian Nolan, Darragh Tierney (0-2 each), Craig Pardy (0-2, 0-1 free), Ricky Fitzsimons, Eoin Pilkington, Max Boyd (0-1 each).

READ NEXT: GAA club in Offaly given green light to construct new gym at its grounds