Football silverware for Drom
GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Football - Cusack Cup Final
Drom & Inch 3-13
Ardfinnan 0-14
Report: Michael Dundon in Fethard
The old cliché – goals win matches – was borne out emphatically on Saturday as Drom & Inch bagged three to collect the Tom Cusack Cup for the first time at the expense of Ardfinnan.
Both sides finished in third place in their groups of the county championship to qualify for this competition and it is Drom who deservedly took the honours in a fine contest between two sides bent on playing good football.
The pattern for the game was set in the opening five minutes as Drom pounced for two goals to put themselves in the driving seat. Ardfinnan challenged that control in the second half, but the Mid men always kept them at arm’s length, sealing their win with a third goal nine minutes from time.
Drom struck early. After four minutes Podge Campion had their first goal and a minute later Jamie Moloney, fed by Seamie Callanan, surged through for a second. Drom were rampant and by the 22nd minute were 2-4 to 0-2 clear.
Really Ardfinnan were not that far behind, but they were much less clinical in front of goal. They improved as the half progressed, two points from Oisin Ryan just before half-time, leaving two goals between the sides at the interval, 2-6 to 0-6.
With the breeze behind them Ardfinnan were a much improved side after the break as they began the process of making up the leeway. Points from Jason Coffey, Gerry Cronin and Andrew Browne in a blistering restart had them breathing down Drom necks.
The Mid lads were equal to the challenge and with Jamie Bergin, David Collins, and Tommy Nolan all on target they went 2-10 to 0-12 ahead at the start of the last quarter. Andrew Browne, an impressive sub for Ardfinnan, countered but in the 51st minute, Seamie Callanan was on hand to take a pass from Jack Lillis for Drom’s third goal and effectively assure the win.
The score broke Ardfinnan hearts and it was Drom who finished the strongest with further points from Callanan, Robbie Long and Tommy Nolan for an emphatic win.
This success is a welcome boost for Drom-Inch at the end of a year which did not match their expectations in either hurling or football. It may not be the most prestigious piece of silverware, but this win underlines the club’s potential with the big ball and endorses their standing in senior ranks. Seamie Callanan was a big influence in an attacking centre halfback role, but Jamie Moloney, Tommy Nolan, David Collins, and Kevin Hassett also had big games for them.
Ardfinnan were justifiably disappointed. Their poor start was their undoing and left them chasing the game from an early stage. They did not the cutting edge of their opponents near goal spurning some likely chances of points with efforts falling short. Oisin Ryan, Gavin Whelan, Colm O’Shaughnessy, Jack O’Neill, and Andrew Browne were their key men.
Player of the Match: Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch).
Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins (6); Michael Purcell (6), Fintan Purcell (6), Kevin Hassett (7); Jack Lillis (6), Seamus Callanan (1-1, 8), Robbie Long (0-1, 6); John Ryan (6), Jamie Moloney (1-1, 7); Emmett Moloney (6), David Collins (0-4, 2f, 7), Jamie Bergin (0-1, 6); Tommy Nolan (0-4, 7), David Butler (0-1, 6), Podge Campion (1-0, 6).
Subs: Stevie Nolan (6) for Bergin (42); Liam Ryan (6) for Butler (49); Paul Mullen (6) for Lillis (55); Michael Campion (NR) for Collins (57); Lorcan Campion (NR) for P Campion (57).
Ardfinnan: Cian O’Mahoney (6); Luke O’Brien (6), Darragh Boyle (6), Jack O’Neill (7); Aaron Lonergan (6), Colm O’Shaughnessy (7), Jonathan Ryan (6); Gerry Cronin (0-1, 7), Darragh O’Leary (6); Oisin Ryan (0-3, 7), Michael Barlow (0-4, 3f, 6), Gavin Whelan (0-2, 7); Jason Coffey (0-1, 6), Billy Hewitt (6), Evan Barrett (6).
Subs: Shane Keating (6) for Boyle (30); Andrew Browne (0-3, 1f, 7) for Barrett (HT); Andrew Heffernan (6) for Hewitt (52); Darragh O’Brien (6) for Lonergan (52); Sean Cunningham (NR) for O’Brien (56).
Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill).