Teconnaught denied by late flourish

Teconnaught denied by late flourish

5 October 2016

TECONNAUGHT confounded their doubters when they nearly pulled off a stunning shock in Sunday’s JFC final in Newry.

The pre-game build-up was centred around major hype on Drumgath — a team that many believed could go on to Ulster glory.

However, Teconnaught had different ideas.

They set up perfectly for the match. Defensively, they aimed to be frugal while they attempted to get scores through counterattacking play.

Drumgath certainly underestimated the Teconnaught challenge.

Complacency obviously set in and it nearly killed the favourites.

The Barnmeen side made a positive start with Packie Downey getting the scoreboard into operation in the first minute.

Ciaran Maginn was at the double and after 11 minutes Drumgath were 0-3 to no score ahead.

Jackie Lynch soon extended the lead to four before Packie Downey wasted a glorious opportunity for a goal as he blasted over the bar from close range in the 17th minute.

Patrick Grant steadied Teconnaught with their opener, but a fantastic strike from Colm Maginn had Ronan Sexton’s men back in gear.

Andy McCartan and Mark Connolly swapped scores before the interval as Drumgath went in leading 0-7 to 0-2.

The one way onslaught that was predicted for the second half never occurred and it was McCartan who was first off the mark to put four in it.

Cathal Tumilty struck back for Drumgath, but Teconnaught were hanging in there and a Johnston free in the 37th minute kept them buoyed.

Drumgath had opportunities to push on, but didn’t make the most of them. Tumilty made it 0-9 to 0-4 going into the last quarter, but there was a sniff that Teconnaught wouldn’t be disappearing so fast.

And then in an instant they were right back into it.

Young Paddy Grant found the net and Drumgath were really starting to feel the pressure. Within minutes Teconnaught were level.

Rory McDonnell and a Paddy Grant free took it to a stalemate with just over 10 minutes to go.

The game swung back and forth and Teconnaught took the lead for the first time through the diligent Andy McCartan’s free with time quickly running out.

In the middle of injury time Mark Connolly was the Drumgath saviour when he floated over a free to secure the draw and take his team to a replay.

Teconnaught. 1-7

Drumgath 0-10

TROCAIRE DOWN JFC FINAL