A more economical Drumree saw off Kildalkey after extra time in this exciting JHC2 final at Pairc Tailteann early on Saturday afteroon. 

Drumree ...... 2-7
Kildalkey ..... 0-10
after-extra-time

Despite being on the back foot for much of the 80 minutes, Drumree withstood a vibrant Kildalkey challenge to claim the fourth tier hurling championshp. Photos

Drumree were greatly helped by second quarter goals from  Brendan Walsh and Conal O'Sullivan that sustained them throughout a scoreless second-half.

Kildalkey were undone by 15 wides over the course of the game while Drumree had just five. In addition, Martin Ryan and Colm Griffin's side were tenacious in defence throughout.

With Caoimhin King operating in a sweeper role they didn't leak a goal. It was fitting that the former county footballer should make the final clearance in close contest.

But for the poor quality of the Drumree numbers, we would be able to give more players credit for their achievement.

Drumree made their mark in extra time, outscoring Kildalkey by 0-4 to 0-1 to settle matters with three of those scores coming in the second-half of the additional 20 minutes.

Liam Shanley, Mark Devaney and Stephen Doyle (free) posted the scores in the second-half of extra time that clinched the title for Drumree. 

Kildalkey registered 14 wides in normal time with Drumree posted three. Despite playing with the elements in the second-half of normal time Drumree failed to score.

Kildalkey were supported by a significant breeze and Ger Geoghegan pointed them in front inside 40 seconds. Paul Fagan doubled the lead moments later. A Stephen Doyle free coupled with a Mark Devaney effort from play had the sides level in the 13th minute.

Thomas Reilly (free) and Devaney exchanged points before the water break when it was 0-3-each. Another Reilly free restored Kildalkey's lead before Drumree struck for their first goal. A Devaney sideline was finished to the net by Brendan Walsh in the 22nd minute to put Drumree in front for the first time, 1-3 to 0-4.

Kildalkey got back on terms by the 30th minute courtesty of points from Andrew Fagan and Reilly (free). Then, in stoppage time Drumree chalked up their second goal with Conal O'Sullivan finishing a long delivery to the net.

Having played against the elements, Drumree led by 2-3 to 0-6 at half-time.

The third quarter yielded just one score, another Reilly free, leaving Drumree ahead, 2-3 to 0-7, at the second water break. In keeping the team in red and white hoops scoreless for the whole of the second-half, Kildalkey regained parity with a brace of Paul Fagan points to leave it 0-9 to 2-3 after the hour.

Scorers: Drumree - Brendan Walsh, Conal O'Sullivan 1-0 each; Stephen Doyle (fs), Mark Devaney 0-2 each; Shane Troy,Niall Mangan, Liam Shanley 0-1 each.

Kildalkey - Thomas Reilly (fs); Paul Fagan (2fs) 0-4-each; Ger Geoghegan, Andrew Fagan 0-1 each.

Drumree - Ronan Gilsenan; Pauric Smith, James Gaughan, Johnny Gilsenan; Jack Leonard, Diarmuid Shanahan, Killian Gavin; David Dunne, Brendan Walsh; Stephen Doyle, Shane Troy, Mark Devaney; Liam Shanley, Conal O'Sullivan, Caoimhin King. Subs - Paul Walsh for P Smith (24), Neil Mangan for Shanley (ht), Cillian Dennehy for C O'Sullivan (60). Subs in extra-time - Liam Shanley for Mangan (70).

Kildalkey - Conor Lyons; Kevin Murray, Conor Dunne (c), Cian McGourty; Cathal O'Sullivan, Stephen Forde, Enda Keogh; Ciaran Browne, Ger Geoghegan; Andrew Fagan, Dan Fagan, Thomas Reilly; Cathal Egan, Paul Fagan, Joe Feenane. Subs - Sean Corrigan for Feenane (23), Conor Hayes for D Fagan (ht), Sean Colhoun for Egan (35), Liam Carroll for O'Sullivan (47), Daire Lahart for Hayes (60). Subs in extra time - Dan Fagan for T Reilly (68), Evan Geoghegan for Fagan (70),

Referee - Mark Reilly (Kilmessan)

Tweet

Most Read Stories