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Tuesday 03.12.2024

Buncrana Cup

Dromintee 1-13 v Burren 2-09

Reigning Ulster U16 champions Dromintee showed they were not going to relinquish their title lightly following a tough and uncompromising encounter where they were pushed all the way by a gallant Burren side.  Followed a heavy shower prior to throw in underfoot conditions were tricky but in a game well controlled by Monaghan referee Christopher Brady the crowd was treated to a great game between two neighbouring sides with no quarter given or taken in Gardrum Park.

Featuring six players who played in last years final, having the experience of the Gardrum Park surroundings and the Ulster championship it was the Armagh champions who were quickest out of the blocks with points from Peter Rice, Oisin Byrne and a fisted effort from Jarlath O’Neill. Things could have got much worse for Burren but for a great save by Jack McLoughlin who was outstanding throughout to deny Scott Harris.  Dromintee were dominating proceedings at this stage with Aodhan O’Neill, Peter Rice and MFC Sports man of the match Ronan Martin all to the fore, Harris was sweeping any danger at the back and Gavin O’Rourke at full forward was proving to be an ideal target man.  Points from O’Rourke and a converted free from Oisin Byre stretched the lead to five before Burren finally awoke from their slumber.  Dylan Kelly got their first score from a free into the breeze which was responded to by Peter Rice as the game sprang into life.  The Down champions found the back of the net following a great finish from Pearse Cunningham who pounced on a breaking ball.  Dromintee however showed why they are Ulster champions immediately after finding the net themselves viaO’Rourke as he reacted quickest to a rebound off the post.  Byrne added to this with a pointed free but two late efforts from Dylan Kelly and centre back Shay Trainor gave the mourne men renewed hope going into the half time break.

As playing conditions worsened both sides knew they would have a fight on their hands to progress and the intensity heightened as soon as the second period started.  A great curling effort off the outside of his left boot by Martin gave Dromintee the start they needed but Burren hit back with one from the wing by Luke Cunningham.  Burren were upping the pressure as they sought a way back into the game led by the searing pace of wing back Daire Trainor and the aerial ability of Kelly in the middle.  They came close to getting a much needed goal with Matthew Blair’s shot coming off the post. Ronan Martin and a free from Oisin Byrne stretched Dromintee’s advantage however it was clear that they were beginning to tire under relentless Burren pressure.  Byrne closed the gap to five and Dromintee switched tactics with the restarts, keeper Patrick Rice finding the imposing wing back Emmett Mullen on several occasions to retain possession. Goals were needed for Burren and the Dromintee defencewere bombarded with high balls resulting in several near misses. A Matthew Blair point was cancelled out by O’Rourke with both sides ringing the changes to bring in fresh legs in the heavy underfoot conditions.  McLoughlin once again produced heroics to divert a goal bound effort from Byrne to keep his side in contention.

Burren dangerman Sam Murdock who was in an enticing battle with Armagh minor star Tomas Fox finally escaped the shackles to notch his first point but Dromintee were always dangerous on the counter and their work rate around the middle was a credit to behold, led by Jack Casey who was doing trojan work.  Swapped frees from Martin and Kelly maintained the margin before Byrne notched what looked to be the insurance score.  With time running out Burren threw the kitchen sink at the Armagh men and a flurry of late scores including a well merited point by Daire Trainor and a last gasp goal from the penalty spot by Shay Trainor proved too little too late with Dromintee securing a semi-final spot again Cavan champions Denn.

A relieved Dromintee manager Ray Harris was glad to hear the final whistle “This was the lads first competitive game since winning the Armagh County Championship back in early September and this was evident over the course of the hour. That aside the lads showed some good passages of play over the first 30 minutes. The experience of tight battles in our own County Championship run was evident as the lads responded well to the Burren goal. The message at half time was to keep the score board ticking and in the early exchanges of the second half both teams exchanged scores but Burren’s work rate made it difficult for our lads to extend on our fourpoint lead, thankfully our lads hit another purple patch and tagged on another two points and were six up with fiveminutes to go. We conceded some late scores as we struggled to hold on.  While we are delighted with the win against quality opposition that progresses us to an Ulster Semi Final, we are very conscious that there is much work still to be done.”  Dromintee progress to meet Cavan champions Denn who defeated a fancied Carrickmore in their quarter final.

Burren:  Jack McLoughlin, Cillian McCarthy, Keegan Woods, Niall Begley, Daire Trainor (0-1), Shay Trainor (1-1, 1 pen), Danny McFerran, Dylan Kelly (0-3, 3f), Joe McGovern, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Luke Cunningham (0-1), Matthew Blair (0-1), Sam Murdock (0-2, 1f), Jay Cunningham , Pearse Cunningham (1-0)

Subs: Michael Trainor for J Cunningham, Daithi Fitzpatrick for K Woods

Dromintee: Patrick Rice, Oisin McCrink, Reece Kelly, Tomas Fox, Emmett Mullen, Aodhan O’Neill, Darragh Bolger, Peter Rice (0-2), Jarlath O’Neill (0-1), Ronan Martin (0-3, 1f), Ollie Rice, Oisin Byrne (0-5, 2f), Scott Harris, Gavin O’Rourke (1-2), Jack Casey

Subs: Ben McCoy for O Rice, Jake Mooney for P Rice, Louie Winters for E Mullen, Oliver Kissward for D Bolger

Referee:  Christopher Brady (Monaghan)