Drama aplenty as Dromid edge out Fossa

PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Dromid Pearses 1-16 Fossa 1-15

PLENTY of drama down South Kerry way in this one as Fossa made a strong second-half comeback from a deficit of nine points at half-time to go within one of the victors at the end of eight additional minutes before full-time was eventually called by match referee Pat Sheehy of Clounmacon.

In the end Dromid will be thankful for doing enough in the first period combined with the experience shown by Aidan ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Connor in coming on as second-half substitutes to come through a ferocious test of their credentials.

Dromid set out in their stall in the first quarter with stylish points from play by Tomás Curran, Niall Ó Sé and Dylan O’Donoghue. Fossa forward Paudie Clifford started the scoring for the visitors and this was to be their only point from play in the first-half.

Dromid’s defence was solid with Padraig J O’Sullivan playing a great sweeper’s role and Graham O’Sullivan keeping Kerry minor captain David Clifford scoreless in the first half.

Leading by 0-6 to 0-5, 1-5 without reply gave the hosts what appeared to be a commanding eight point advantage at the break, Gearóid J O’Sullivan the goalscorer in a 1-11 to 0-5 interval lead.

Fintan Coffey scored the goal after the restart to kick-start the East Kerry side’s revival in proceedings and they also had additional goal opportunities in the first quarter but goalkeeper Brian O’Leary saved a penalty and whatever else was fired in his direction.

Fossa’s midfield combination of Matthew Rennie and captain Mark Dennehy were getting the upper hand but equally Manof-the-Match Niall Ó Sé (eight points in total) continued to be a thorn in Fossa’s side as he picked away with points from play together with points from frees from the Dromid captain Chris Farley. Fossa continued to narrow the deficit and it looked very much like a draw and extra-time was going to be on the cards.

Matters nearly boiled over on-and-off the pitch as injury time continued and Donald O’Sullivan left the bare minimum between the sides. Fossa missed equalising chances through the Clifford brothers, David and Paudie, however as Dromid qualified for their fourth Semi-Final in this grade since the turn of the decade.