REACTION: Dunne happy his players emerged as top dogs
After Drumlane’s narrow win on Sunday, their manager Martin Dunne correctly assessed the match as “one hell of a dog fight".
The fact that his charges were the ones to come out on the right side of a one point win was pleasing.
"Once again the young lads stood up and a couple of the older lads showed any amount of character which is very pleasing. We weren’t near our best today but we weren’t at our best against Drumalee and we probably weren’t at our best against Knockbride but we still managed to pull out victories so it’s a good sign when you’re not playing well and you’re winning.”
His captain Ryan Connolly stepped up at the crucial moment to give Drumlane the lead for the final time and Dunne, a former Cavan and Cavan Gaels sharp shooter was impressed with the finish.
“Absolutely and not an easy kick. He was 40 yards out, probably not one of his best days and look when we needed him the most he was there and he stood up again and to be fair to him, he’s our leader and he’s done that all year and we’ll be hoping he can keep doing it for us.”
After a slow start Drumlane managed to edge into the lead at the break.
“The goal was massive. We were playing against a really strong breeze in the first half and I actually thought it would suit our running game against the breeze to carry it but I thought we were very panicky today in possession.
“We weren’t ourselves but we showed great character. We went four down and then got the goal at the right time and the sending off was a big factor in the game,” the 31 year old Dunne told The Anglo-Celt.
Once again Darragh Dolan showed his value to the team.
“He’s one of these Rolls Royce type of players and you’re just shouting on the line: 'Get Darragh Dolan on the ball! Get him on the ball!'
“Because when Darragh Dolan has the ball in his hands, he’s gonna cause any amount of trouble. I’m glad he’s on my team and I’m not trying to nullify him.”
With a short turn around before the quarter final the Drumlane panel may be tested. “We’ll have Josh (Marsden) back the next day and Ciaran O’Brien is not too far away either, so we have bodies there.
“The turn around will be tough. That was tough going there today so this week will be all about recovery and not doing a large amount of stuff. It will just be about getting the recovery in and take on Clones next week and see how that goes.”
He attributed Drumlane's rustiness due to the three week break after the Cavan final.
“You’d take that a wee bit into account today that we were probably a wee bit rusty early on hopefully that game will bring us on leaps and bounds for next week.”
Dunne admits to having some of his Clones homework already done ahead of the clash.
“I went to the championship final and the league final down in Monaghan this year. They a couple of very good players, they’ve Fintan Kelly, Mealiff and they’ve the two Freeman’s so it’s going to be another tough battle going to Clones next Sunday.”