Dromard edge out Abbeylara on way to yet another final
Dromard have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and while that trend continued at Pearse Park on Sunday evening last as they reached the Senior Football Championship decider for the fourth time in six seasons, Sean Hagan's side were forced to withstand a very determined second half comeback by Abbeylara who looked to have no chance of causing an upset when trailing by 0-10 to 0-3 at the break.
Powered by Diarmuid Masterson at midfield and with the usual suspects Francis McGee, Jamsie Martin and Cian Mimnagh inflicting most of the damage in a slick attack, scoring eight points between them, Dromard appeared to be cruising in a repeat of last year's semi-final but were under a lot of pressure on the changeover as a much improved Abbeylara outfit gradually got their act together.
Some stern words were obviously spoken by the Abbey manager, Meath native Tom Keague, at half-time and when James McEntire shot over the bar with ten minutes of the game remaining just two points separated the sides with the hot favourites Dromard hanging on to a slender 0-11 to 0-9 lead.Moments later, Cathal Conefrey came to the rescue when blocking a goal attempt by Niall Sheridan and the underdogs then missed three frees in a row through Robbie Smyth (2) and William Crawford.
Dromard were living very dangerously indeed but they grabbed a crucial score in the 56th minute when Jamsie Martin fired over a 40 yards free that was awarded for a foul on Peter Reynolds and the killer blow was struck in the 59th minute when Diarmuid Masterson set up Francis McGee for a cracking goal, the opportunity created by substitute Noel Reynolds who went charging through the Abbeylara defence.
While it was a poor performance in the second half by a Dromard side who are generally regarded as a good bet to win the coveted Connolly Cup they last captured in 2007, they will still be extremely hard beaten in the county final on Sunday September 26th in their bid to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing last year's decider against Clonguish after a replay.
The absence of county players Padraig Berry and Kevin Smyth this year (both of whom have emigrated for a spell) proved to be a major handicap for Abbeylara who were also hit by a number of injuries in the current championship campaign but they deserve a lot of credit for a spirited second half revival that gave the attendance of less than 1,000 spectators something to shout about.
Direct from the throw-in Jamsie Martin landed the opening score for Dromard with just 15 seconds gone on the clock and a further three points followed from Francis McGee (free), Ronan McEntire (on target from a tight angle) and Martin (free) in a flying start which suggested that a most emphatic win was on the cards for the title favourites.
But Abbeylara replied with a point from a Robbie Smyth free in the 8th minute and while Cian Mimnagh kicked a terrific long range score for Dromard soon after, two more frees were converted by county minor Smyth (14th and 15th minutes) to keep his side in contention.
Leading by 0-5 to 0-3, Dromard then stepped up another gear to completely dominate the second quarter and five more points followed – the first from a sweetly struck long range Francis McGee free in the 17th minute.
Three excellent efforts from play through Diarmuid Masterson (a real driving force in the middle of the park), Cian Mimnagh and McGee left Dromard in a strong position and with the last kick of the first half another McGee free left Abbeylara seven points down and struggling badly and it could have been worse as their opponents were guilty of shooting five wides, three of which were frees.
But Abbey were a revitalised side in the second half in winning most of the 50/50 breaks and with nine minutes gone they had closed the gap to just three points, 0-10 to 0-7, with Robbie Smyth (free), Maurice O'Connor (2) and William Crawford on target.The hard working O'Connor was providing the main threat in attack and went close to getting a goal when smacking a point-blank shot over the bar after receiving the ball from Niall Sheridan who was involved in the usual fierce battle with Dromard defender Cathal Conefrey.
Crawford fired over a glorious strike from near the sideline and Maurice O'Connor then raced through for his second score, a great spell that gave Abbeylara a lot of hope. Dromard eased the pressure when Jamsie Martin landed a vital free for his sides first score of the second half in the 40th minute but back came Abbey with a fifth point from Robbie Smyth (free).
Young Smyth was then off target from another free and while the comeback continued with a marvellous point from James McEntire in the 50th minute, gallant Abbeylara failed to register another score as Dromard finished the stronger in adding another 1-1 to their tally, much to the great relief of their loyal supporters situated in their usual spot on the terrace in front of the press box.
DROMARD: Damien Sheridan; Paul McGee, Cathal Conefrey, Niall Vance; Peter Reynolds, David Pettit, John Sheridan; Diarmuid Masterson (0-1), Donal Sheridan; Padraic Martin, Cian Mimnagh (0-2), Peter Masterson; Jamsie Martin (0-4, three frees), Ronan McEntire (0-1), Francis McGee (1-4, three points from frees).
Subs:- Kevin Donohoe for J Sheridan (half-time); Noel Reynolds for P Martin (half-time).
ABBEYLARA: John Joe Reilly; Ciaran Drake, Donal Ledwith, Liam Reilly; Colm P Smith, James McEntire (0-1), Barry Smyth; Arthur O'Connor, Enda Ledwith; Maurice O'Connor (0-2), William Crawford (0-1), Colm E Smyth; Robbie Smyth (0-5, all frees), Niall Sheridan, Brian Smyth.
Subs:- Shane Mahon for C E Smyth (half-time); Fergal Battrim for L Reilly (41 mins); Michael O'Connor for Brian Smyth (48 mins); Bernard Crawford for C P Smith (59 mins).
Referee: Frank Toher (Killoe Young Emmets).
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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