Drung battle through

Drung battled their way to a place in the quarter-finals of the Cavan intermediate football championship with a 2-11 to 1-10 win over Drung at Kingspan Breffni Park last Friday evening. This play-off was the second meeting of these sides in a little over two weeks; on the last occasion Drung had one point to spare. This time, in what turned out to be a pulsating game, played with real championship fervour, Drung held all the cards and deservedly go through to the last eight and a meeting with neighbours Kill this Friday evening in Breffni Park. Drung, the current junior championship title holders, were forced into this play-off following their defeat at the hands of Bailieborough Shamrocks by a solitary point at the same venue the previous week, the Shamrocks having already been assured of a place in the knock-out stages. Drumgoon for their part needed to lift their game appreciably as matches of this nature tend to be decided by just one or two scores. However the score-llne slightly flattered Drumgoon as their goal from the hard-working Keith Fannin, the defender lining out in the full-forward position, came two minutes into injury time, when the tie had been decided. Drumgoon showed two late changes from what appeared on the match programme and both involved the attack. Killian Moynagh and Dean Hand, both chosen on the right wing of the attack, didn't start and were replaced at right-half and right-corner respectively by Edward Gaffney and Aogan Farrell. Both sides had their share of experienced players but it was Drung who showed the greater resolve when it came to the hard graft, decisive tackling and the ability to produce the vital scores. In the early stages scores were hard to come by as Drung looked impressive. Two early opportunities were squandered, however, before Patrick McEntee got the opening score after eight minutes. Patrick McCabe levelled matters a minute later when he sent over following a short free. There was a gap of five minutes before the next score when Keith Fannin managed to beat several defenders to put Drumgoon into the lead. Prior to that, Drung had missed three good opportunities. Drung's fans didn't have long to wait for the levelling score, which came within a minute, a fine effort from an Alan Curran free out near the sideline. Curran was on the mark again a minute later also from a free but parity was quickly restored by Drumgoon's midfielder Michael McDonald with 20 minutes gone. Injured Drung were dealt a blow following an injury to their left-corner forward Philip Monahan in the 22nd minute when he was stretchered off and was replaced by Martin O'Reilly, who would play a vital role in the latter stages of the game. With the score at 0-3 apiece, in the 24th minute, Drung went in front for the third time when Stephen Fay pointed a free and the lead was stretched to two points 30 seconds later. The tackling on both sides was tough and uncompromising, as one would expect from these sides, but Drung stretched their lead to three points through a fine score from Alan Curran in the 28th minute. Drung were well on top at this stage but in the two minutes of additional time added on by referee Jimmy Galligan, Lacken, Michael Hannon joined up with the attack to shoot a point and reduce Drung's half-time lead to two points, 0-6 to 0-4. Patrick McCabe and Patrick McEntee exchanged points at the start of the second-half; McEntee's score was a fine, individual effort. Those two scores came in the third and fourth minutes but it was further nine minutes before the next score arrived as Drung added to their wides tally, both from Alan Curran frees. Curran found the target at the third attempt from play in the 13th minute and Drung were well in control as the game entered the final quarter. Martin O'Reilly's name appeared for the first time among the Drung scorers from a free in the 46th minute to stretch the lead to four points. Drumgoon introduced two subs at this stage and Jim McNally was on target in the 48th minute, reducing the deficit to three points. Martin O'Reilly and Keith Fannin scored at either end and when Jim McNally scored an excellent point to cut Drung's lead to two points, 0-10 to 0-8 with eight minutes of normal time remaining, Drumgoon's fans were not without hope. Fine save A fine save by Drung's county goalkeeper James Reilly from Dean Hand in the 52nd minute helped inspire his team-mates and Dan Fay joined up with the attack to restore their three point cushion. With time running out, Drumgoon's hopes quickly evaporated as Martin O'Reilly punished a mistake in their defence and the ball ended in the net for a 1-11 to 0-8 lead and only six minutes of normal time remaining. Michael Hannon pointed for Drumgoon one minute later but trailing by five points it was goals which were badly needed. Drung wrapped up the tie with Martin O'Reilly's second goal in the 57th minute. The last two scores of the game came from Drumgoon but which were of the consolation variety, a point from Patrick McCabe and a goal from Keith Fannin in the 62nd minute. Eagerly-awaited The meeting of neighbours Drung and Kill is eagerly awaited and the local derby should attract a big attendance. Drung: James Reilly; Ronan Slowey, Finbar O'Reilly, Brendan Brady; Dan Fay (0-2), Ray Fay, Michael McEntee; Christopher Moore, Ciaran Galligan; Noel Hueston, Alan Curran (0-4), Stephen Fay (0-1); Patrick McEntee (0-2), Shane O'Rourke, Philip Monahan. Subs. Martin O'Reilly (2-2) for Philip Monaghan (22m), Killian Monaghan for Stephen Fay (52m), Niall O'Rourke for Christopher Moore (54m), Paul Hueston for Patrick McEntee (59m). Drumgoon: Gerry Hughes; Michael Hannon (0-2), Edward Jackson, Paul Crossan; Michael Murray, Adrian Crossan, Paul McEnroe; Michael McDonald (0-1), Jim McNally (0-2); Edward Gaffney, Shane McGorry, Pauric McGorry; Aogan Farrell, Keith Fannin (1-2), Patrick McCabe (0-3). Subs. Dean Hand for Aogan Farrell, (48m), Niall McIntyre for Michael McDonald (54) John McDonald for Shane McGorry (55), Philip Smith for Pauric McGorry (55). Referee, Jimmy Galligan, Lacken.