Strong Finish by Dromina, derails second half comeback
April 08, 2024
The concession of three goals was ultimately the undoing of a strong second half comeback from Killavullen, on a blustery and showery day in Dromina. The pitch was heavy after the recent deluge of rain from Storm Kathleen, but the small compact stand in Dromina, afforded the viewing public some respite. Credit to the Dromina club, for facilitating the game, and having stewards to assist persons with parking.
Killavullen opening the scoring from a Jamie Magner free, from well out the field, but Killavullen had the assistance of the considerable wind in the opening period, and this and good accuracy from Jamie carried the ball over the bar. Dromina equalised from play in the 3minute and went ahead in the 5th, from a close in free. Seamus O Mahony equalised for us, and the two free takers trading blows to keep the game tight. Dromina went ahead though with two points from open play only to see Colm O Mahony score a great point for us, after a powerful fetch from the air. Dromina were playing with two inside forwards, and got their match ups correct, when their player grabbed a high centre and finished low to the net. Kian Lane responded with a nice point for Killavullen, when he was found in open space. Dromina though got another goal, when Charlie in our goals, got his hurley to a powerful shot, but it still crossed over the line. 2-05 to 0-05.
The inside forwards for Dromina were proving to be a handful with their physique and directness, and their ability to simply push their opponents off the ball, and ponce on any delay in a fetch or lift. Jamie got an excellent free in reply and then another free after Mickey O Connor was fouled, followed by another point from Kian Lane. That was an impressive response to the concession of the second goal. Dromina tacked on a point from a broken play situation in the 20th minute and then a free in the 25th but we responded well again, with points from Mickey and two free’s from Jamie. Dromina got a point just before the break, to leave the score at the half time whistle, 2-08 to 0-11.
Killavullen sprung Colm and Owen from the bench, and both were to be influential in different ways in the second period. Jamie scored a free in the opening minute after Colm was fouled, but Dromina replied with a point, from open play. Killavullen drew parity in the game though with the next attack, when Colm caused consternation in and around their goal, and forced the ball over the line. We were hurling very well at this stage, and took the lead in the 10th minute with another converted free from Jamie, and went two points up, with a Kian Lane point, from an angle. Dromina equalised though, by the 18th minute, from a carelessly conceded free, and then a point from open play.
Liam Cronin, and he just back from Australia was combative all day long, and he scored a great point in the 20th minute to push us into the lead again. Dromina though scored a goal in the 22nd minute from a huge centre in our twenty metre area from the goal keeper, and the ball broke kindly for an inrushing forward, who finished emphatically to the net. Dromina tacked on further points from their substitutes, who were telling and influential and experienced on the day. On heavy ground, it was a day to plant your feet, and drive through the ball. Colm O Mahony got a great point back for us, but in the five minutes of added time, Dromina scored three further points, and we replied with one, from the lively Owen Magner.
Final Score; Dromina 3-16 – Killavullen 1-17
Good game in tough conditions for both teams.
The team was
- Charlie Cremin
- Sean Bartley
- Eoin Birchill
- Paul O Sullivan
- Darragh O Grady
- Liam Cronin (0-01)
- Brian Cotter
- Eddie Cotter
- Fionn Magner
- Colm O Mahony (0-02)
- Mickey O Connor (0-01)
- Padraig Looney
- Kian Lane (0-03)
- Jamie Magner (0-08, 0-07F)
- Seamus O Mahony (0-01)
Substitutes
- Colm Looney (1-00) for Seamus O Mahony
- Owen Magner (0-01) for Padraig Looney
- Conor Brennan for Sean Bartley