Gethins snatches late Dromahair victory in thrilling Smith Monumentals IFC Semi-Final derby with Drumkeerin

We expected it to be close but nobody believed Saturday’s Smith Monumentals IFC Semi-Final between St Patrick’s Dromahair and Drumkeerin would produce three injury time points for the winners and Drumkeerin denied a match winning goal by a last gasp save as Dromahair secured a famous victory and a place in the Final.

Adam Gethins was the hero of the hour, or should that be added time, as the 19-year-old forward landed three crucial points at the end of the game to hand Dromahair a famous victory, a monster two point free sealing triumph in a game where they trailed by seven points at the end of the first quarter.

Yet it could just as easily have been Drumkeerin celebrating when James Gallagher’s long ball into the area in the dying seconds went into the Dromahair goal, a Drumkeerin hand guiding the ball towards the goal only for keeper Noel Hynes to make a clutch save, the danger cleared and the final whistle sounding mere moments later.

It was cruel luck on a Drumkeerin team who had surged into a seven point lead at the end of the first quarter, a lead they were well worth but injuries cost them dearly, two in the first half and one in the second where they lost key players, and they were unable to hold off an energetic Dromahair who surged brilliantly in the final quarter.

Gethins late scores took the victory for Dromahair but it was his goal after 23 minutes that reignited his team’s challenge - up to that point, Drumkeerin were completely in control but after converting two frees, Gethins took a breaking ball off Darragh McMorrow, produced a lovely sidestep and an equally brilliant finish that got Dromahair back into the game.

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Up to that point, a David Feeney inspired Drumkeerin had looked in a different class - Feeney swapped points with Shaun Conlon but a 55 yard two point free from Feeney was followed quickly by a monster James Gallagher two pointer. With Dromahair struggling to build any momentum, Tomas Davitt pulled the ball out of the sky to score a fine point before Jerome Maguire added a third two pointer for the men in maroon.

Down by seven points, Dromahair didn’t panic and Gethins’ two points followed by his wonder goal in the space of five minutes had the tie back in the balance. Both teams missed chances with Noel Hynes doing well to save a fisted effort off a Feeney shot.

The half ended with a James Gallagher free giving Drumkeerin a 0-9 to 1-3 halftime lead but it wasn’t all good news as they lost Tommy Rogan and Jason Byrne to injury in that first half. Dromahair started quickly with a Gethins free and a 40 yard Shaun Conlon point to leave just a point in it after three minutes.

But just as quickly, Declan Daly surged through for a point that could have been a goal while Colm Clarke scored a fine point under pressure to restore the three point gap. Gary Fowley, barely on the field for a minute, pointed after a James Clinton intercept on seven minutes and from the kickout, James Clancy fired over a good point.

The St Patrick's Dromahair team and management pictured after qualifying for the Smith Monumentals Leitrim IFC Final in Shane McGettigan Park on Saturday Picture: Willie Donnellan

A foul on Martin Feeney allowed Adam Gethins thump a two point free over the Drumkeerin crossbar to put Dromahair in front for the first time but back came Drumkeerin with a two point free of their own, David Feeney booming a massive 50 yarder over the crossbar.

We were level again when a dropping Gethins shot went over off keeper Ciaran Daly’s hands but Drumkeerin went back in front from a Feeney free. With Dromahair missing two chances, the tension was building but with just over two minutes of normal time left, a vital Adrian Fowley intercept set Gethins up for another point.

Dromahair had a chance to take the lead but James Clancy’s shot was blocked and Drumkeerin went down the field, a quick free into space finding James Gallagher for a huge point just into added time.

A foul on Martin Feeney saw Gethins convert another free to tie the scores before a massive two point free in the final minute of the four minutes of added time put Dromahair two to the good and despite Drumkeerin’s best efforts to manufacture a match winning goal, Dromahair sealed their place in the final.

ST PATRICK’S DROMAHAIR

Scorers: Adam Gethins 1-8f; Shaun Conlon 0-2; James Clancy & Gary Fowley 0-1 each

Team: Noel Hynes, Declan Fowley, Michael Clancy, Jamie McLoughlin, Keelan McLoughlin, Jamie Conlon, Cian McMorrow, Shaun Conlon, Adrian Fowley, James Clinton, Martin Feeney, Leon Harte, Adam Gethins, Darragh McMorrow, Jamie Cawley. Subs: James Clancy for Harte (20); Gary Fowley for Cawley (36); Oisin Conlon for McMorrow (39); Rory Kelly for M Clancy (45); Martin Clancy for Clinton (58)

DRUMKEERIN

Scorers: David Feeney 0-6, 4f; James Gallagher 0-4, tp, 1f; Jerome Maguire 0-2, tp; Colm Clarke, Tomas Davitt & Declan Daly 0-1 each

Team: Ciaran Daly, Ryan McVeigh, Ryan Gallagher, Jason Byrne, Gavin Gallagher, Callum McTeigue, Tommy Rogan, Declan Daly, David Feeney, Tomas Davitt, James Gallagher, Jerome Maguire, Colm Clarke, James Gallagher, Seamus McNama. Subs: Darragh Flynn for Rogan (12); Glen Kavanagh for Byrne (25); Cathal McCauley for McTeigue (39); Francis Davitt for T Davitt (44)

Referee: Seamus Mulhern