Drumaness surge past cup holders

25 July 2012

YEARS of hurt faded into the past when Drumaness finally wrestled the Connolly Cup from Ardglass’s grasp in descending gloom at Barry Park, Ballykinlar, on Friday night.

Ardglass, who have won the competition for the past eight years, refused to give in lightly and put up heroic resistance, but it was a resolute Drumaness who prevailed after the game went to extra-time.

Drumaness, beaten in the last two finals by Ardglass, started with mean intent and two points from Donal Kennedy had them up and running. Ardglass responded well and Michael Magee matched Kennedy’s proficiency with two points of his own to bring the sides level after 13 minutes.

Midway through the first half Brian McGivern nudged Drumaness ahead with a super point from play, but this was cancelled out immediately by David Pullen as the sides refused to be separated in a topsy-turvy encounter. Ryan Curran then gave Ardglass the lead for the first time with a point from play before Kennedy made it 0-4 apiece after 20 minutes with another point from play.

Kennedy and Magee swapped points before scores from Eamon McEvoy and Eoin Curran gave Ardglass a 0-7 to 0-5 lead, but Drumaness had the last say of the half when Neil Stranney pointed to leave his side trailing 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

Ardglass opened the scoring at the start of the second half through David Armstrong, but that man Kennedy kept Drumaness ticking over with a point from play.

Neil McAleenan brought the sides level at 0-8 apiece before Kennedy (2) and Paul Gilchrist pointed Drumaness into a 0-11 to 0-8 lead.

The game was Drumaness’ for the taking, but write Ardglass off at your peril and unanswered points from Magee, David Armstrong and Eoin Curran levelled matters once again.

Chris Teggart pointed Ardglass into a 0-12 to 0-11 lead, but Kennedy was on hand to restore parity before too long. Ardglass hit a purple patch and scores from David Armstrong, Stevie Deegan and Teggart gave them a 0-15 to 0-12 lead.

It was now Drumaness’ turn to stage a fightback and a point from Neil McAleenan was followed by a brilliant goal from Paul Gilchrist as Drumaness went into a 1-13 to 0-15 lead.

Kennedy and Neil McAleenan tagged on points to put Drumaness three clear with everyone waiting on the referee’s final whistle.

Ardglass had one last throw of the dice available and they stormed up the park to send Stevie Deegan clear and he made no mistake with a sensational finish to send the game to extra-time.

The first half of extra-time belonged to Drumaness and Paddy Bell confidently dispatched a penalty to the back of the net and Brian McGivern spilt the posts with a point to give Drumaness a 2-16 to 1-15 lead.

Ardglass batted back in the second period and points from Magee and Stevie Deegan had them only two points in arrears, but Drumaness managed to hang on for a scintillating win.

Drumaness: G. O’Hare, G. McCormick, P. Rice, R. Connolly, R. Murdock, P. Bell (1-0), G. Murdock, P. Gilchrist (1-1), B. McGivern (0-2), M. McClean, S. Melville, P. Rogan, N. Stranney (0-1), M. Rainey, D. Kennedy (0-9). Subs: N. McAleenan (0-3), N. Jones, D. McAleenan, R. Noade, P. King, J. O’Connor, R. Walsh. W. Megoran.

Ardglass: B. McEvoy, P. Curran, S. P. Halpin, M. Crangle, D. Pullen (0-1), E. Curran (0-2), M. Clarke, S. Deegan (1-2), J. Telford, M. Magee (0-5), C. Teggart (0-2), M. Deegan, D. Armstrong (0-3), E. McEvoy (0-1), R. Curran (0-1). Subs: C. Armstrong, D. Kearney, T. Kearney, C. Smyth, P. O’Shea.

Drumaness 2-16

Ardglass 1-17

CONNOLLY CUP FINAL

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