Goals push Drom & Inch over the line to clinch Tom Cusack Cup victory
Tom Cusack Cup Senior Football Final
Drom & Inch 3-14
Ardfinnan 0-15
By Michael Dundon
Two goals in the opening five minutes sent Drom-Inch on their way to victory in the FBD Insurance Cusack Cup senior football final against Ardfinnan at Fethard on Saturday.
This competition is for clubs who finished third in their groups in the round-robin section of the county championship and this was the first success at this level for the Mid Tipp lads. It was an entertaining game all the way with both sides opting for an open attacking game.
From that opening salvo, they always looked likely winners but Ardfinnan put in a strong second-half half-performance that threatened to reel in the pace-makers until Seamus Callanan’s goal after 51 minutes sealed the issue.
Podge Campion, after three minutes, pounced for Drom’s opening goal and two minutes later Jamie Moloney, set up by Callanan, banged home another to give Drom a huge advantage at such an early stage. As it transpired those two goals were what separated the sides at half-time(2-6 to 0-6), with Ardfinnan slowly settling in after Drom had gone eight points clear(2-4 to 0-2) after 22 minutes.
Drom had the aid of the breeze which probably explained a few Ardfinnan frees and attempts at goal which fell short but at the interval, it looked very much as though the Mid lads, who showed great composure and confidence on the way, were the better team.
Ardfinnan were a different team after the break as they began to reel in the opposition. Points from Jason Coffey, Gavin Whelan, and Andrew Browne left them just three points adrift inside five minutes and Drom now had a game on their hands.
To their credit, Drom weathered the early storm, a Jamie Bergin point steadying the ship, and with David Collins and Tommy Nolan (2) also chipping in, the Drom lads kept the opposition at arm’s length going into the last quarter (2-10 to 0-13).
Ardfinnan did their share of pressing but they were less threatening in front of goal and when Seamus Callanan slipped through for their third goal after 51 minutes and a 3-10 to 0-13 lead, there was no way back for Ardfinnan.
This bit of silverware ends a year that never came up to expectations for Drom-Inch both in hurling and football and it sets them up nicely for 2024. In terms of prestige, the Cusack Cup may be some way down the pecking order but it is a prize worth winning and the club could finish the year on a high note if it reproduces this form in the yet to be played Mid senior football championship.
Clearly, there is a wealth of footballing talent in the club with David Collins, Jamie Moloney, Seamus Callanan, Tommy Nolan, and Fintan Purcell showing the way.
Ardfinnan will be disappointed at the outcome. Their slow start proved costly as did the chances missed early on but in their second-half rally they showed the potential there is in the club. Oisin Ryan, Gavin Whelan, Jack O Neill, Colm O’Shaughnessy Andrew Browne, and Jonathan Ryan did most to further their cause.
Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins; Michael Purcell, Fintan Purcell, Kevin Hassett; Jack Lillis (0-1), Seamus Callanan (1-1), Robbie Long (0-1); John Ryan, Jamie Moloney (1-1); Emmett Moloney, David Collins (0-4, 0-2f), Jamie Bergin (0-1); Tommy Nolan (0-4), David Butler (0-1), Podge Campion (1-0).
Subs used: Stevie Nolan for Bergin (42); Liam Ryan for Butler (49); Paul Mullen for Lillis (55); Michael Campion for Collins (57); Lorcan Campion for P Campion (57).
Ardfinnan: Cian O’Mahoney; Luke O’Brien, Darragh Boyle, Jack O’Neill; Aaron Lonergan, Colm O’Shaughnessy, Jonathan Ryan; Gerry Cronin (0-1), Darragh O’Leary; Oisin Ryan (0-3), Michael Barlow (0-4, 0-3f), Gavin Whelan (0-2); Jason Coffey (0-1), Billy Hewitt, Evan Barrett.
Subs used: Shane Keating for Boyle (30); Andrew Browne (0-3, 0-1f) for Barrett (HT); Andrew Heffernan for Hewitt (52); Darragh O’Brien for Lonergan (52); Sean Cunningham for O’Brien (56).
Referee: Donie Horan (Éire Óg Annacarty)