Drumkeerin stun Ballinaglera with sensational comeback
Last Sunday's GWP Intermediate championship quarter final is one that will be remembered for a long time in both Drumkeerin and Ballinaglera, but for very different reasons.
GWP INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL
DRUMKEERIN 2-7
BALLINAGLERA 1-7
Ballinaglera will be wondering for a long time to come how they managed to lose a game they led at half-time by nine points, while Drumkeerin's second half, Lazarus-like comeback is something that will go down in local folklore.
With 19 minutes of the game remaining and trailing by nine points, the decision was taken to introduce Richard McTiernan and that proved to be an inspired switch as Drumkeerin began winning ball that had previously been evading them in the midfield area.
Of course, it took more than the introduction of one player to inspire such a turn around but having played so badly for long, Drumkeerin looked like a team who wanted to finish on a high and at the very least put some respectability on the scoreline.
Four frees in the space of six minutes ensured the game was set-up for a dramatic finish and with the momentum all behind them, Drumkeerin finished in style with late goals from Eddie McTiernan and John Cullen to seal the most unlikely of victories.
When the full-time whistle sounded the expressions of the opposing players couldn't have been more different. Drumkeerin players celebrated the most unlikely of victories, while the Ballinaglera players were left to wonder where it had all gone wrong.
Some Ballinaglera supporters vented their anger at referee Frank Niblock for his failure to award a second half penalty. While there may have been a footblock as a Ballinaglera player shot for goal, blaming the referee only disguises the fact that Ballinaglera failed to register a single score in the second half and that is the main reason they were beaten.
In terms of excitement, this was as good as it gets. Ballinaglera made all the early running as Drumkeerin struggled to make an impact.
After early wides Ballinaglera took the lead when Barry Maguire pointed after good approach play involving Adrian McGourty and Enda Maguire. The lead was deservedly extended with two frees from the boot of Fergal Wynne.
Drumkeerin registered their opening score through John Cullen after a strong forward run from Jason Byrne but any hopes that score would help to get Drumkeerin into the game failed to materialise as 'Glera continued to be first to every ball.
The work rate and hunger of the Ballinaglera players was not matched by their opponents and it was to get even worse for Drumkeerin as Ballinaglera struck for the game's opening goal in the 18th minute.
The pace of Fergal Wynne on the right wing left the Drumkeerin defenders in trouble before Wynne delivered a perfectly timed pass to Shane Mulvey who was making an overlap. Mulvey pulled the ball back across the face of the Drumkeerin goal towards the unmarked Colm Maguire who shot first time for goal.
Initially it appeared as though Maguire's shot had been cleared off the line by Damien McPadden. But the umpire raise the green flag and after a brief consultation between the officials, a goal was awarded.
Ballinaglera seemed determined to finish the half on a high and they added to their lead when Colm Maguire rose highest to claim Adrian McGourty's long ball, Maguire turned and pointed.
Throughout the half Maguire caused panic in the Drumkeerin defence. He competed for everything and balls which seemed to favour the defence were competed for with an intensity which acted as a real motivation for his team-mates.
After a Wynne free extended the lead to seven points, Colm Maguire was again in the thick of the action as he managed to get a fist to another hopeful ball and successfully deflected the ball over the bar to bring his first half tally to 1-2.
Maguire's personal tally should have increased in injury time at the end of the half when he found himself in front of goal after quick incisive passing between Hugh Gilmartin, Adrian McGourty, Ray Gilmartin & Barry Maguire.
Unfortunately for 'Glera Maguire Ballinaglera, Maguire dragged his shot harmlessly wide of Paddy Byrne's goal.
That miss was soon forgotten as Ray Gilmartin completed the first half scoring with a fine point from distance to leave Ballinaglera with a commanding 1-7 to 0-1 lead at the interval.
As the players left the field at the interval it was interesting to observe the contrasting body language between both sets of players. The Ballinaglera players ran off the pitch reminding each that there was still 30 minutes remaining.
The Drumkeerin players on the other hand looked deflated and it was hard to see how they could possibly force their way back into the game.
Colm Maguire saw two 45's sail harmlessly wide during the opening 10 minutes of the second half while Drumkeerin were still offering very little as an attacking force.
Richard McTiernan brought a new lease to the Drumkeerin team after his introduction. The only problem was that it seemed as though there would not be enough to overturn the deficit.
With McTiernan winning plenty of ball, Drumkeerin had a platform from which to attack. Three Eddie McTiernan frees in the space of four minutes brought them back into the game and although they still trailed by six points, the momentum was all with them.
Richard McTiernan converted a 48th minute free to further reduce the deficit and he was heavily involved in Drumkeerin's next score.
McTiernan picked out the run of Stephen Feeney who surged forward before picking out Colm Clarke and the county player duly pointed to further reduce the deficit.
With Drumkeerin growing in belief, they were making forward runs with a belief they had not done earlier in the game. Ballinaglera however, were looking devoid of ideas and it appeared as though their first half efforts were beginning to take effect as they suddenly looked very tired.
With seven minutes left, Drumkeerin struck for a goal that took them to within a point of Ballinaglera. Starting with Richard McTiernan's sideline ball , the ball went through Aidan Dolan, Stephen Feeney, John Cullen & Darragh Flynn.
The pace of the attack caught Ballinaglera cold and when Flynn played the ball to Eddie McTiernan, a goal was inevitable. McTiernan showed plenty of composure to confidently dispatch his shot past Conor O'Brien.
Ballinaglera desperately needed a score to settle their nerves. Unfortunately for them, when presented with the opportunity to do so, Colm Maguire was off target with his free. With a minute remaining Drumkeerin drew level when John Cullen scored a wonderful point from the left wing.
Drumkeerin knew victory was there for them if they could get another score and in the final minute of the game they did just that. Ciaran White's free looked to be heading harmlessly for the arms of Conor O'Brien.
However, O'Brien failed to collect the ball and it broke free and John Cullen was the quickest to react, pouncing to force the ball into the open goal.
That score put the result beyond doubt as Drumkeerin completed the most unlikely of comebacks.
Drumkeerin
Paddy Byrne, Damien McPadden, Aidan Dolan, Calvin O'Donnell, Fintan Harvey, Stephen Feeney, Jason Byrne, Ciaran White, Colm Clarke (0-1), Colin McKenna, John Cullen (1-2), Eddie McTiernan (1-3), Stephen Gilhooly, James McPartland, Darragh Flynn. Subs: Francis Davitt for McKenna (23 mins), Adrian Smith for Harvey (40 mins), Richard McTiernan (0-1) for McPartland (41 mins).
Ballinaglera
Conor O'Brien, Ciaran Feeney, Damien McGourty, Philip McGourty, Tomas Cornyn, Brendan McGourty, Padraig Cornyn, Adrian McGourty, Hugh Gilmartin, Shane Mulvey, Enda Maguire, Barry Maguire (0-1), Fergal Wynne (0-3), Colm Maguire (1-2), Seamus McGovern. Subs: Ray Gilmartin (0-1) for B. McGourty (26 mins), Rory McPartlin for P. Cornyn.
Referee: Frank Niblock
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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