Dromara crowned junior champions despite ‘Fin efforts

Dromara crowned junior champions despite ‘Fin efforts

16 October 2024

TWO superb ‘45 conversions by the player of the match Brendan McKey while the ‘Fin were down to 14 men, ultimately proved to be the difference in the end of this engaging contest.

Dromara opened the scoring with Colm Flanagan pointing within the first minute. Flanagan was then fouled in the large parallelogram a moment later with Brendan McNeill converting the resultant penalty.

The early signs were ominous as the hot favourites Dromara signalled their intentions. The ‘Fin were in no mood to lie down and returned fire with Thomas Beckett driving over the black spot.

Conor Matthews raced though moments later, but drove his effort wide of the goal – a big chance.

A Colm Kelly free restored the Finnis men’s four-point lead. Donagh Steele and Paul Flynn both exchanged points from play and Tiernan Noade converted a free.

The ‘Fin then lost their full back, Jack Matthews, to injury with his replacement Marty McGrath entering the fray. McGrath was immediately involved, being part of a well-worked, 13-pass attacking phase of play at the end of which Oisin O’Toole stole in behind the Dromara defence to square the ball to Noade, who palmed to the net.

Beckett then saw his speculative long range effort strike the crossbar with the Dromara keeper, Seamus O’Hare, pushing the ball clear for a ‘45 which the ‘Fin were unable to convert.

Dromara continued to put together some good passages of play and won another free for Colm Kelly to level up the proceedings in the 21st minute.

Colm Flanagan was on target with his second point from play to edge Dromara back in front before Reece Tweedie converted a free to restore parity again for the ‘Fin.

Colm Kelly was unerring in his free taking and he sent over a third placed ball for Dromara with three minutes remaining until the short whistle.

Noade then saw his next free drift wide before the ‘Fin nearly raised the green flag again after Noade’s initial strike was saved and Beckett lashed over the rebound inches over the black spot.

The Dromara goalmouth led a charmed life. In the next Dromara attack their livewire captain McKey engineered an opening but saw his well struck effort arrow wide of the upright.

That was the last action of note before match referee Ronan Barry signaled the end of the first half of a pulsating contest that was end to end. Half time sore: Aughlisnafin 1-6 Dromara 1-6.

In the opening five minutes of the second half the ‘Fin had three chances to regain the lead and were made to pay for it.

In the 38th minute Dromara forward Luke Savage smartly played the ball along the ground as he tumbled in possession and his team-mate, Paul Flynn, latched on to the pass to race through the D and side-foot to the net past advancing ‘Fin keeper Aidan Small.

Noade then made it three from four placed balls to bring it back to two again.

A major turning point in the game saw Donagh Steele black-carded and having to leave the field for ten minutes and in that period Brendan McKey sent over two of his three efforts off the deck from the 45-metre line to put Dromara four points ahead before Steele re-entered the fray with ten minutes plus time added on remaining.

That was to be Dromara’s last score of the game. A further two pointed frees from Noade cut their lead back to two points. Noade saw another effort strike the upright and Dromara did well to clear.

Again the ‘Fin came back to win another free but an off the ball altercation saw the Fin reduced to 14 men again for the remaining three minutes and Ronan Barry hopping the ball.

Dromara regained possession and used their experience to hold possession and see out the game for a memorable victory win. Their last junior championship success back in 1951.

The ‘Fin were winners more recently in 2021 but will rue the missed chances to add to that success.

Dromara won all their seven games in this year’s championship and were good value for their win but were pushed to the pin of the collar by a battling ‘Fin team.

Man of the match was Brendan McKey, from Dromara, with Paul Flynn, Colm Flanagan and Colm Kelly also key to their success.

The ‘Fin had star performers in Conor Matthews , Thomas Beckett and Peter O’Hare.

Dromara progress to the quarter-finals of the Ulster Club Championship where they await the winners of the Armagh JFC, either An Port Mor or Collegelands whose final has went to a replay.

Dromara: Seamus O’Hare, Luke Savage, Paul Kelly, Daniel McNeill, Ryan McArdle, Brendan McNeill (1-0, Pen), Brendan McKey (0-2, 2f), Colm Kelly (0-3, 3f), Liam Kelly, Éoin McEvoy, Paul Flynn (1-1), Kevin Martin, Conor Doyle, Michael McNeill, Colm Flanagan (0-2).

Subs used: Darryl Walker, Stephen Downey, Oran McKay, Gavin McElroy.

Aughlisnafin: Aidan Small, Faelan Murphy, Jack Matthews, Ben Ogle, Oisin O’Toole, Conor Matthews, Peter O’Hare, Donagh Steele (0-1), Sean Fitzsimmons, Reece Tweedie (0-1, 1f), Breanainn McComiskey, Daragh Tumelty, Tiernan Noade (1-4, 4f), Thomas Beckett (0-3), Chris Doran.

Subs used: Marty McGrath, Shaun Murnin.