Cavan Senior Football League Windy start for Knockbride as Drumgoon secure vital win

Summer afternoons in June bring to mind visions of shirt sleeved crowds basking in the sunshine. Not last Sunday in Knockbride.On a cold, wet and windy day, the attendance struggled to keep their umbrellas up as Drumgoon secured a vital and mented win over the homeside. The strong wind was a decisive factor as Drumgoon led by 10 points at the break, having played with the gale at their backs, and they went 13 up a minute into the second-half when hat trick hero Jim McDonald goaled. Knockbride reduced the deficit but never looked like winning while Drumgoon continued their progress to Division One. Drumgoon led by four points after two minutes when their opening point was followed by John Mcdonald"s first goal, low to the left corner, following careless defending. Keith Fannin soloed through for another Drumgoon point before Brendan Carolan got Knockbride"s first in the 13th minute. A John Tierney free and Larry Reilly from play kept the home team in touch, while Keith Fannin beautifully kicked a sideline ball over the bar. Then in the 28th minute Keith Fannin coolly dispatched a penalty to the right corner of the net while two minutes later a long ball found John McDonald on the edge of the square and he blasted unchallenged to the top of the net. Half-time score Drumgoon 3-4, Knockbride 0-3. Hopes dashed Such was the impact of the wind that Knockbride might have hoped to redress the balance but such hopes were dashed with McDonald"s third goal, again a long ball found him in the clear close to goal and he duly raised another green flag. Ronan Keaskin blocked Paraic McGorry"s effort on goal, while Knockbride had three points in a row from Larry Reilly (2) and Brendan Carolan before Drumgoon"s best player Keith Fannin pointed. Paddy McCabe for Drumgoon and Shane O"Reilly exchanged points before Darragh Smith fisted John Tierney"s long ball to the net in the 19th minute to reduce the deficit. John Tierney added another point while near the end Raphael Rogers poked the ball to the net after a defender blocked Seamus O"Brien"s effort. Too many errors While Knockbride were unlucky to trail by ten points at the break, they made too many errors which resulted in goals. When playing with the wind, they either failed to kick in enough early ball to the full-forward line and too often kicked too long and wide. This result surely means Division Two football again next season for Knockbride, while Drumgoon should make amends for last season"s slip up and secure promotion. Led by Fannin their strong-fast brand of football was especially effective in the blustery conditions. Drumgoon - John O"Reilly; Michael Murray; Michael Hannon; Edward Gaffney; Eddie Jackson; Paul McEnroe; Keith Fannin; Jim McNally; Michael McDonald; Pauric McGorry; Brian Bates; Paddy McCabe; Adrian Crossan; John McDonald; Paul McCabe. Knockbride - Ronan keaskin; Peter O"Reilly; Micheal Clarke; Declan O"Reilly; Finbar Carolan; Ollie Mulvey; Eamon Carolan; Shane O"Reilly; John Tierney; Damian Farrelly; Niall O"Reilly; Brendan Carolan; Shane O"Brien; Larry Reilly; Daragh Smith. Subs - Ciaran Lynch for D. Farrelly (half-time); Raphael Rogers for F. Carolan (48th minute). Referee - Packie Smith, Killygarry.