Drom tune up for Championship with League success

GAA: FBD Insurance County Hurling League Division 1 Final

Drom & Inch 2-20

Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-10

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Fintan Purcell (Drom & Inch)

SCORERS – Drom & Inch: Seamus Callanan 1-3 (0-1 free); Jack Lillis 0-4 (3 frees); Robbie Long, Tony Cahill 0-3 each; Eoin Collins 1-0 pen; Lorcan Campion 0-2; John Campion, Tommy Nolan, Jamie Moloney, Michael Connors, Shane Hassett 0-1 each.

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Stephen Ferncombe 1-7 frees; Ronan Heffernan, Aidan Whyte, Conor Hammersley 0-1 each.

Drom & Inch set down a marker for this year’s county senior hurling championship with a double-scores victory over Clonoulty-Rossmore in the County Hurling League Division 1 final on Saturday.

In most people’s short-list for championship honours both these sides figure prominently and while the win reflects the Mid side’s status, the absence of seven first choice Clonoulty players including county squad members Dillon Quirke and Enda Heffernan puts the West sides performance into perspective.

It did however take Drom & Inch some time to assert their superiority in a contest that fell well below expectations, and it wasn’t until the second half, and particularly the closing quarter, that Drom streaked away from opponents who stubbornly clung to their coat-tails even though their fate seemed sealed.

A rather pedestrian first half gave a modest gathering little to shout about. The sides were level 0-4 each after twenty minutes. Then four unanswered Drom points had them moving confidently but in the closing minutes of the half Clonoulty responded with three of their own leaving Drom 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at the break, but still very much all to play for.

It was a different story in the second half. Three Drom points reflected an increase in the intensity of their play and then, in the 39th minute, goalie Eoin Collins netted a penalty after Jamie Moloney was fouled.

A 1-12 to 0-8 advantage had Drom coasting but Clonoulty did not relent and Stephen Ferncombe’s goal from a 20-metre free in the 51st minute had them right back in the frame, trailing by just four points, 1-10 to 1-14.

That score served as a wake-up call for Drom-Inch who really turned the screw in the last ten minutes as they scored 1-6 without reply to bury any slight hopes Clonoulty had of lifting the Johnny Ryan Cup.

This was Drom’s best period in the game, climaxed by a Seamie Callanan “special”, a surging run through the heart of the Clonoulty defence finished off with a rasping shot to the net in the 58th minute. There was no way back for Clonoulty and Drom & Inch rejoiced in lifting their first silverware of the season.

Even allowing for the shortcomings of the Clonoulty side, this was an encouraging win for Drom & iNCH and one on which they will be anxious to build as the serious hurling is about tom get underway.

Joint managers Paul Collins and Brian Boyle will not need telling that a much greater intensity and application will be required in the championship games but clearly they have laid the foundations for a serious championship tilt, and this win will do the world of good for confidence. Wingback Fintan Purcell was their top performer but Podge Campion, Tony Cahill, Robbie Long, John Campion and Stevie Nolan were others to make a considerable impact.

Former county star Declan Ryan in his first term in charge of Clonoulty/Rossmore’s senior side will console himself in the knowledge that his championship lineout will be considerably stronger than this. In particular an ineffective attack will need bolstering, but he has the players at his disposal to challenge for top honours, and a full strength Clonoulty-Rossmore will be formidable opposition for any club side in the county.

The West lads relied heavily on the free-taking of Stephen Ferncombe for their scores, 1-7 of their tally coming from his stick, with only three points coming from play. That’s simply not good enough. As ever John O’Keeffe was soundness personified at the heart of the defence with Ronan Heffernan, Ciaran Quirke, and Conor Hammersley late on, doing most to further the Clonoulty cause.

TEAMS – Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins (6); Stevie Nolan (7), Liam Ryan (6), Kevin Hassett (6); Fintan Purcell (8), Podge Campion (7), Michael Campion (6); John Campion (7), Robbie Long (7); Seamie Callanan (6), Tommy Nolan (6), Lorcan Campion (6); Jamie Moloney (6), Tony Cahill (7), Jack Lillis (6).

Subs: Michael Connors (6) for Moloney (44), Shane Hassett (6) for Lillis (55), Colm Kinane (NR) for Long (57); Darragh Kennedy (NR) for Purcell (58); Mikey Clohessy (NR) for J Campion (60).

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Jason O’Dwyer (6); James Ryan (6), Robert Doyle (6), Aidan Loughman (6); Ronan Heffernan (7), John O’Keeffe (7), Ciaran Quirke (7); Stephen Ferncombe (7), Jack Ryan (6); Aidan White (6), Aaron Ryan (6), James Hammersley (6); Sean Ryan (6), Conor Hammersley (7), Danny Slattery (6).

Subs: Thomas Butler (6) for S Ryan (44); Donnacha Quirke (6) for J Hammersley (48); Stephen Quinn (6) for J Ryan (48).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers)