Strong second half enough for Drumcullen to knock out Seir Kieran

IT wasn’t simple and it wasn’t pretty at times, but Drumcullen won’t care as they claimed a place in the final four of the Intermediate Championship with a 10 point win over Seir Kieran on a windy evening.   

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Intermediate Championship Quarter Final

Drumcullen 3-16

Seir Kieran 1-12

There will be things to work on for Mark Dunne’s side, especially given how the first half materialised, with Seir Kieran holding a 1-8 to 1-7 lead at the interval. Seir Kieran did have a big wind during the first 30 minutes and they used it to their advantage, with James Scully and Barry Bergin using it best with some of the fantastic scores they registered. 

Drumcullen just weren’t at their best and were yet to get going in the first half, albeit they did have to contend with a ferocious wind which was hard to judge as a spectator, never mind as a player. Dylan Hollywood and Eoin Gath were working hard to get Drumcullen scores, as was Colm Gath, who got his side’s goal at a crucial time, with moments left in the first half, which cancelled out the well worked goal three minutes earlier from Barry Bergin, which was set up quite nicely by Stephen Hynes, which was at the time a warranted lead. 

In the second half, the wind was getting stronger and Drumcullen knew they had to use it to their advantage, but they were still neck and neck up until the 46th minute, when centre back Christopher Connors was judged to have struck Eoin Gath late and was subsequently shown a red card for his troubles, making things a lot harder for Seir Kieran. 

Drumcullen then kicked into another gear and made use of the extra man, as they immediately went up the far end and struck a goal which was an excellent solo effort by Colm Gath, and then they struck again as Patrick Lyons set up Dylan Hollywood for their third goal and there was only going to be one winner from that moment. 

Further scores were tagged on towards the end by Eoin Gath, Patrick Lyons and Conor Gath to seal a big win in the end, but they’ll know that they were in a battle and they’ll take a lot from this game heading into the semi finals.  

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Colm Gath (Drumcullen): Eoin Gath had a solid game at wing forward, scoring 0-8 and was good under placed balls especially against the wind, with the likes of Dylan Hollywood also doing well.     

Colm Gath got the two important goals for his side and stepped up when needed. 

Barry Bergin and James Scully tried hard for Seir Kieran, as did Kevin Murray and Joe Gilligan in the middle of the park.

THE SCORERS

Drumcellen: Colm Gath (1free) 2-3, Eoin Gath (6frees) 0-8, Dylan Hollywood 1-1, Joe McCarthy, Stephen Hanrahan, Patrick Lyons and Conor Gath 0-1 each.

Seir Kieran: Barry Bergin (5frees) 1-6, James Scully 0-3, Kevin Murray, Joe Gilligan and Stephen Hynes 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

DRUMCULLEN: Killian Spain; Donal Mahon, Barry O’Meara, Jack Ryan; Ciaran Guinan, Josh Cashin, Stephen Hanrahan; Barry Kinsella, Patrick Lyons; Ray Gath, Dermot Gath, Eoin Gath (C); Dylan Holywood, Colm Gath, Joe McCarthy. Subs– Mark Kennedy Jnr for McCarthy (42m), Padraig Guinan for Gath (48m), Danny Maher for Kinsella (56m), Conor Gath for Lyons (58m).

SEIR KIERAN: Matthew Connors; Brian Dunne, Donal Coughlan, Noelie Bergin; Shane Kinahan (C), Christopher Connors, Conor Walsh; Kevin Murray, Joe Gilligan; James Scully, Barry Bergin, Stephen Hynes; Gearoid Dooley, Aidan Scully, Colm Coughlan. Subs– Eanna O’Neill for Dooley (46m), Cathal Bergin for Coughlan (56m).

Referee – Declan Cooke (Crinkill)

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke took charge of the game and he got most of his decisions right, including the red card, as it was a late hit by Christopher Connors. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Colm Gath’s 47th minute goal was a brilliant solo score and it was the big turning point after the red card for Christopher Connors, and it put Drumcullen in the driving seat for the remainder of the game.

VENUE WATCH

Crinkle was the host venue on Saturday evening, and there was plenty of parking and stewards around to assist with parking and traffic, and the pitch was in good condition. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Drumcullen will face either St Rynaghs or Shamrocks in the semi-finals, the year is over for Seir Kieran. 

SEE NEXT: Impressive Birr power past Shinrone and into semi-final

STATISTICS

Wides: Drumcullen – 13 (5 in first half); Seir Kieran – 9 (6 in first half

Yellow cards: Drumcellen – 0; Seir Kieran  – 2 (James Scully, Gearoid Dooley)

Red cards: Drumcullen – 0; Seir Kieran – 1 (Christopher Connors).