Late O’Domhnaill goal secures St Molaise’s progression
DRUMCLIFFE RP MOLAISE GAELS
St Molaise Gaels joined Group Two winners Coolera/Strandhill in the Belfry Senior Football Championship quarter final, after they did just enough to beat
Drumcliffe/Rosses Point at Kent Park on Saturday evening.
Drumcliffe had the lion’s share of possession for periods of this encounter, but were unable to make the most of their opportunities.
A total of nine wides not helping Fergal O’Flaherty’s team who must overcome a relegation play-off to maintain their senior status for 2019.
Molaise had a fine kicking display from Alan McLoughlin, who scored six of their eleven points to thank in no small part. While a late goal from substitute Callum O’Domhnaill sealed the Grange men’s progression to the last eight where they will face reigning champions Tourlestrane.
It was Drumcliffe who were in charge of this north Sligo derby early on.
Midfielder Cian Lally was dispossessed by determined defending from the Molaise back line, only for corner forward Jamie Gillen to pick up a loose ball before firing over.
Of those nine wides, the red and black hit three early on in a low scoring opening period. Drumcliffe unable to capitalise on their early dominance.
The crowd at Kent Park had to wait until the 14th minute for the tie’s second score.
Eoin Gaughan sending over a free for the first of his two of the evening.
Despite their pedestrian start, Molaise only found themselves two points down at the mid-way point of the first half. McLoughlin finding the sticks with a long range effort
0-9 1-11
to cut the deficit in half.
McLoughlin and Niall Canning exchanged scores for either side in perfect conditions in Sligo town. While Paul Logan claimed the first of his three scores moments before McLoughlin had his third from a set piece.
Lally skewed Drumcliffe’s fifth wide past the post two minutes from the break.
They were made pay in the second minute off added time at the end of the half.
Daragh Gallagher’s looping strike seemed to hang in the air before finally landing behind Ronan McCormack’s crossbar.
The sides level at the interval at four points a piece, much to the frustration of the Drumcliffe supporters on the terrace.
Willie Gormley’s charges were quicker out of the traps in the second half.
The marauding McLoughlin placing his club in the lead for the first time in this game with a white flag on the turn. A lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Half-back Mark Quinn sent over his only score of the day on 35 to extend Molaise’s lead to two.
But Drumcliffe finally sparked themselves back into contention with the next two scores.
Logan with two sweetly struck frees from the ground bringing it back to a tied contest with 13 minutes of the second half behind them.
Jamie McLoughlin nudged Molaise back ahead of their neighbours with a superb effort from the angle which narrowly squeezed inside the post.
Cathal Herron should have doubled the lead on the following attack, but his kick fell short of McCormack’s goal.
Drumcliffe had their equaliser eleven minutes from the whistle as both teams continued to slog it out. Gaughan pinging one above the black spot after referee Padraig Golden decided to bring play forward when Brian Monaghan was upended.
That was Monaghan’s final contribution however.
The midfielder subsequently black carded eight minutes from time having illegally halted the run of a Molaise player.
Drumcliffe’s misery compounded when Gallagher converted the resulting free.
Drumcliffe, who suffered relegation from Division One earlier this year, rallied and managed to bring themselves back on par. John Harvey with the score.
Molaise substitute O’Domhnaill popped the ball off to Gallagher for another score.
But Drumcliffe came back once again. Captain Neil Ewing moving the scoreboard to nine a piece.
That was to be their final contribution for the day.
McLoughlin registering his fifth and sixth points as the game came to a close.
With nothing but a win enough for Drumcliffe to avoid the play-off, Molaise struck a killer blow late in added time.
Paddy McGowan was the most alert man on the field when he flicked a pass into O’Domhnaill’s lane.
The sub rocketing the ball past McCormack to seal victory.
Drumcliffe had a late, late chance to close the gap but substitute Niall Colleary could only strike the post at the death.
Drumcliffe/RP: Ronan McCormack; Thomas Finnegan (Oisin O’Reilly 52), John McGowan, Ciaran McLoughlin; John Harvey (0-1) (Jude McGarry 57), Dara Long, Sean Power (Hugh Kisby 63); Brian Monaghan (Aaron McCormack 52, black card), Cian Lally; Neil Ewing (0-1), Paul Logan (0-3), Niall Canning (0-1); Jamie Gillen (0-1), Brian Og Murphy, Eoin Gaughan (0-2) (Niall Colleary 45).
St Molaise Gaels: Niall McLoughlin; Evan Farrell, Gavin Gilsean, Eoin McHugh; Jason Brennan, Mark Quinn (0-1), Keelan Watters (Callum O’Domhnaill 44) (1-0); Cathal Burns (Daniel Keaney 62), Paddy McGowan; Jamie McLoughlin (0-1), Darren Gilsean (Diarmuid Gallagher 55, blood sub), Daragh Gallagher (0-3); Cathal Herron (John Gilsean 59), Alan McLoughlin (0-6), Darragh Elliot (Tommy Kennedy 39).
Referee: Padraig Golden.
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Belfry Senior Championship