Dromina edge out dogged Ballygiblin

Dromina 1-16 Ballygiblin 1-15

FOLLOWING on from their quarter-final replay victory over Habour Rovers on a 2-22 to 3-10 scoreline, Dromina advanced to the final after a thrilling Hibernian Hotel JAHC semi-final at Charleville on Saturday evening at the expense of a gallant Ballygiblin side.

Played in true championship spirit the issue was in doubt right till the end. The opening stages saw Dromina get the scoring under way when Brian Buckley pointed a free and they were denied a chance to extend their lead further when they had a goal disallowed for a square ball infringement.

Ballygiblin quickly found their feet. In the sixth minute Shane Beston soloed through and scored a great goal. Dromina’s response was immediate. Kevin Hayes had their second point before three pointed frees by David Jones moved them 0-5 to 1-0 ahead by the 13th minute.

Then came a great spell from Ballygiblin with Barry Coffey, Shane Cahill, Sean O’Sullivan, Shane Beston, Michael Walsh and George Pendle heavily involved. Some well worked movements saw them pick off the next three scores to move 1-3 to 0-5 in front.

David Jones restored parity for Dromina with a free before three more Ballygiblin points by George Pendle (2) and Shane Cahill opened up a 1-6 to 0-6 lead by the 28th minute. Just one more score was registered before the half time, when David Jones pointed a another free in injury time that left two points between the teams at the interval.

For the second half Dromina introduced substitutes John O’Connor and Richard Morrissey into the contest and they contributed greatly to their challenge in this half along with Brian Buckley, Paddy Hassett, Billy Naughton, Paddy Burke and the Hayes brothers to the fore.

Paddy Hassett and Shane Beston traded an early point before Dromina were back on parity in the 37th minute when their Co minors Brian Buckley and David Jones were on target 1-7 to 0-10.

They were also level at 1-8 to 0-11 before Dromina breached the Ballygiblin defence for a goal in the 40th minute when a delivery by Ger Hayes was broken down by David Jones on the edge of the square and the sliothar fell kindly to Richard Morrissey who set up Pat Hayes for a goal.

This was immediately followed with a huge free by Brian Buckley to move four clear. Ballygiblin regrouped well with George Pendle very impressive at corner forward and he along with Shane Beston scored the next four points to force level at 1-12 each.

In a thrilling finish they were tied again at 1-13 apiece by the 50th minute. With the game firmly in the balance Dromina came close to a goal soon after when Christopher Noonan was forced to make a splendid saved from David Jones at the expense of a ‘65 that Brian Buckley pointed.

Further pressure saw them score the next two points courtesy of Jones and Buckley to move 1-16 to 1-13. Ballygiblin refused to give in. George Pendle and Cathal O’Mahony had points in injury time but time was not on their side with Dromina holding on for a close win.

DROMINA: K O’Callaghan, M Finn, B Bowles, B Naughton, P Hassett 0-1, G Hayes, J Jordan, P Burke, B Buckley 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 ‘65’) D Jones 0-9 (0-7f) K Hayes 0-1, M Naughton, J Delee, D O’Shaughnessy, P Hayes 1-0 Subs: J O’Connor for M Naughton (inj), R Morrissey for D O’Shaughnessy, J O’Shaughnessy for P Burke, J Finn for P Hayes, E Brennan for J Delee

BALLYGIBLIN: C Noonan, D Lynch, M Lewis, L Finn, C O’Sullivan, B Coffey 0-1, P Seymour, S O’Sullivan, J Sheehan, S Cahill 0-1, P Molloy, S Beston 1-3, G Pendle 0-7 (0-4f) M Walsh 0-1, C O’Mahony 0-2 Subs: D Barry for P Molloy

REFEREE: Ciaran O’Regan (Ballyhea)