Dramatic Semi-Final Clash Sees Killyclogher Through To Final (Match Report Courtesy of The Tyrone Herald)
KILLYCLOGHER 0-13
DROMORE 0-12
BY ALAN RODGERS
A CHAMPIONSHIP clash absolutely brimming with incident went right down to the final moments as Killyclogher edged their way through to the decider at the expense of gallant opponents.
The bare statistics of this remarkable contest only tells part of the story. A total of 20 cards were issued, there were three sending offs and a footballing duel which kept the 7000 attendance in suspense right to the finish. Ultimately, the St Mary’s just about held on.
They had led by 0-10 to 0-4 at the break, before being pegged back by a brilliant St Dympna’s revival which probably deserved a draw and almost clinched when Sean O’Neill’s late equalising attempt went just wide, moments later came the final whistle. It was a semi-final played at blistering pace which never disappointed throughout as both clubs determinedly fought to reach next month’s county final.
It was Killyclogher, though, who enjoyed the best of the first half exchanges and they wasted little time in establishing their authority. Early points from Mark Bradley and a Conall McCann free put them ahead as Dromore struggled to find their form.
Good play from Fabien O’Neill, Cathal McCarron and team captain, Sean O’Neill settled them as Eoin McCusker opened their account. But that boost proved to be shortlived as their difficulties soon mounted up.
Strong play from Dermot Carlin and Mark Bradley put Tiarnan McCann through for another Killyclogher score. Then, as the cards tally increased, Barry Collins was sent off for a second yellow following a foul on Tiarnan McCann. James Carlin, Cathal McCarron and Leo Meenan also received yellow cards in a tie which was bursting with life.
An Emmett O’Neill point kept the issue nicely on the boil at 0-3 to 0-2 for the St Mary’s. However, the task facing Dromore was becoming more and more difficult and the second quarter almost derailed their challenge.
Killyclogher’s ability to counter-attack at speed improved their options. Tiarnan McCann, Gary Wallace and James Carlin were all to the fore as three points in quick succession transferred that dominance onto the scoreboard. Mark Bradley got the first, Leo Meenan added the second from a free and then James Carlin capitalised on good work from Niall McFadden to leave them enjoying a 0-6 to 0-2 advantage.
The Dromore main – sporting their second strip – gained some reprieve courtesy of Sean McDonnell, but they were hit when James McNabb had to retire injured. Matters became worse for them when his replacement, Colm McCullagh, was also red carded for a foul on Tiarnan McCann.
Despite this, though, they were still very much in touch approaching the interval break. Eoin McCusker increased their tally from a free after Mark Bradley and James Carlin had scored for Killyclogher. That left the score 0-8 to 0-4 and things were very much in the balance.
But that feeling didn’t last and, as the numerical advantages began to tell for Killyclogher, points from Gary Wallace and Dermot Carlin extended their lead to 0-10 to 0-4 at the interval. The general consensus then was that nothing less than a Herculean effort would bring Dromore back from the brink of what seemed a certain defeat.
Of course, the St Dympna’s have produced many backs-to-the-wall displays in recent years and it was clear on the resumption that they weren’t going to let this one slip quite so easily. Cathal McCarron served notice of their intentions after just two minutes when he reduced the deficit to five points and gave them just a glimmer of hope.
The tension was mounting and Dromore’s determination was clear. Cathal McCarron, Ryan McMenamin, Sean O’Neill, Ciaran McCoy and Niall Sludden spearheaded their bid with a series of strong and composed runs forward. One of these in the fourth minute of that second half gave them a great chance to grab a goal.
Gabhan Sludden was fouled going through by Dermot Carlin, referee Eamon McHugh pointed to the penalty spot and suddenly the match was back on a knife-edge. However, Eoin McCusker’s shot was saved by Sean Fox.
The drama continued at the other end moments later when Peter Ward – now playing a roving role to help stem the Killyclogher numbers – had to be on his toes to pull off a great save from Mark Bradley.
Now affairs were beginning to really heat up. Eoin McCusker and Sean McDonnell hit the target to reduce the deficit down to just three points, 0-10 to 0-7. While Declan Leonard settled Killyclogher with a well-taken score, the stage was set for a grand finale entering the closing minutes.
Dromore sensed that the comeback could be completed. Ciaran McCoy and Niall Sludden scores sandwiched a Niall McFadden effort. Eoin McCusker put only three between them, but they were still some way off when Conal McCann made the score 0-13 to 0-10 with four minute of normal time remaining.
Probing runs through the middle highlighted Dromore’s workrate and there were occasions when they felt that frees could have been awarded. By now the card tally was up at 20, Eoin Bradley was dismissed for a second yellow and the tie was ready for its crescendo.
What a crescendo that proved to be, too. Eoin McCusker left two between them from a free, and then capitalised on the composed build-up of Ryan McMenamin and Cathal McCarron to leave the minimum in it, 0-13 to 0-12 as added time began.
There was one last attack, Dromore recycled possession and the chance fell to Sean O’Neill. The team captain launched a confident kick from 30 yards which looked to be bang on target before swerving just wide at the final moment and ending a comeback that certainly deserved a second chance.
Instead as Killyclogher celebrated, the Dromore players slumped to the ground at the finish of a clash that will live long in the memory.
AT A GLANCE
THE GAME AT A GLANCE
STAR MAN
SEAN O’NEILL – DROMORE
The team captain led by example as Dromore fought their way back into contention in the second half. His passing, probing runs and all-round effort turned what could have been a one-sided second half into a rip-roaring tussle.
STAND-OUT MOMENT
Victory for Killyclogher is down to one moment and that was the final kick of the game when Sean O’Neill’s shot went just wide. It was the most exciting period of play in a clash filled with drama and suspense.
THE VERDICT
Killyclogher needed to produce a big performance and they did so, particularly in the first half. Their championship credentials have been fully confirmed with this display against experienced opponents who will be bitterly disappointed at losing out.
MATCHSTATS
THE SCORERS
Dromore
Eoin McCusker 0-5 (3f), Sean McDonnell 0-2 (2f), Emmett O’Neill 0-1, Cathal McCarron 0-1,Ciaran McCoy 0-1, Niall Sludden 0-1.
Killyclogher
Mark Bradley 0-3, James Carlin 0-2, Conall McCann 0-2 (1 ’45), Leo Meenan 0-1 (1f), Niall McFadden 0-1, Gary Wallace 0-1, Dermot Carlin 0-1, Tiarnan McCann 0-1.
THE TEAMS
Dromore
Peter Ward, Fabian O’Neill, Cathal McCarron, Conor O’Hara, Emmett O’Neill, Ryan McMenamin, Sean O’Neill, Barry Collins, Ciaran McCoy, Niall Sludden, Eoin McCusker, Sean McNabb, Ronan McNabb, Sean McDonnell.
Subs – Colm McCullagh for S McNabb (21), Feargal O’Neill for R McNabb (black card, 39), Emmett McNabb for C O’Neill (52).
Killyclogher
Sean Fox, Martin Swift, Danny Gorman, Gabhan Sludden, Gary Wallace, Dermot Carlin, Eoin Bradley, Conall McCann, Niall McFadden, Tiernan McCann, James Carlin, Aidy Kelly, Leo Meenan, Mark Bradley, Emmett McFadden.
Subs – Tomas Flanagan for L Meenan (29), Declan Leonard for A Kelly (39), Simon O’Neill for J Carlin (49), Leo Meenan for T Flanagan (60).
Referee
Eamon McHugh, Aghyaran.
SCORE BY SCORE FIRST HALF
1 MINS
Dromore win possession from the throw in, but their attack is broken up by Gabhan Sludden who begins a move that leads to Mark Bradley arrowing over a superb score from out on the left wing.
Killyclogher 0-1 Dromore 0-0
3 MINS
Killyclogher doubled their advantage when midfielder Conall McCann makes no mistake from a 25m metre free on the right wing after a foul on James Carlin.
Killyclogher 0-2 Dromore 0-0
7 MINS
A flowing Dromore move involving Niall Sludden, Emmett O’Neill and Eoin McCusker results
in O’Neill being fouled with McCusker knocking over the resulting 25m free to open his side’s account.
Killyclogher 0-2 Dromore 0-1
8 MINS
Killyclogher respond straight away in the next attack with half back duo Dermot Carlin and Eoin Bradley involved before Bradley sets up Tiernan McCann for a left-footed point.
Killyclogher 0-3 Dromore 0-1
12 MINS
Already down to 14 men the St Dympna’s badly need a score and it comes from an unlikely source with half back Emmett O’Neill exchanging passes with Sean McNabb before firing over.
Killyclogher 0-3 Dromore 0-2
14 MINS
A Dromore attack is broken up by Killyclogher full back Danny Gorman and the ball is swiftly moved down the field for Mark Bradley to score via the left hand post.
Killyclogher 0-4 Dromore 0-2
16 MINS
Bradley continues to wreak havoc in the Dromore defence and when he is fouled by Sean McDonnell team captain Leo Meenan steps up to convert the 30m free off the ground.
Killyclogher 0-5 Dromore 0-2
17 MINS
Killyclogher are playing some great, fluent football and they move further in front when a side line ball from Niall McFadden finds James Carlin who lands a great score from the right wing.
Killyclogher 0-6 Dromore 0-2
19 MINS
Good work from Cathal McCarron sees him play the ball to Emmett O’Neill who in turn finds Ronan McNabb who is fouled after he kicks the ball and McDonnell converts from 13m.
Killyclogher 0-6 Dromore 0-3
22 MINS
Niall McFadden is fouled and his midfield partner McCann takes the free quickly to the lively Bradley and he makes no mistake with another fine score from out on the left wing.
Killyclogher 0-7 Dromore 0-3
23 MINS
It’s all Killyclogher at this stage and Dermot Carlin plays the ball up the right wing to his brother James who cuts inside before splitting the posts with a tremendous effort.
Killyclogher 0-8 Dromore 0-3
25 MINS
Eoin McCusker knocks over a 25m free from in front of the posts after he is fouled himself with what proves to be Dromore’s last score of the opening period.
Killyclogher 0-8 Dromore 0-4
27 MINS
By this stage Dromore are in deep trouble as they are down to 13 men and Killyclogher are exploiting the space with Gary Wallace joining the attack to get his name on the scoresheet.
Killyclogher 0-9 Dromore 0-4
32 MINS
Dermot Carlin plays the ball forward to Mark Bradley and continues his run to get on the end of another good move to bring the first half scoring to an end.
Killyclogher 0-10 Dromore 0-4
HALF-TIME
KILLYCLOGHER 0-10 DROMORE 0-4
SCORE BY SCORE SECOND HALF
2 MINS
Dromore need a good start to the second half and they get it with an inspirational point from distance from full back McCarron after he was twice involved in the move.
Killyclogher 0-10 Dromore 0-5
9 MINS
McCusker helps atone for missing a penalty when he converts a straightforward 13m free after he is fouled himself to cut the deficit further.
Killyclogher 0-10 Dromore 0-6
13 MINS
With Killyclogher now down to 14 men Dromore can sense that a comeback is on and McDonnell closes the gap further from a free that was moved forward for dissent.
Killyclogher 0-10 Dromore 0-7
16 MINS
Killyclogher look content to try and defend the lead that they have with substitute Declan Leonard fisting a point to finally open their second half account.
Killyclogher 0-11 Dromore 0-7
20 MINS
Hard working midfielder Ciaran McCoy weighs in with a superb point from forty metres out as Dromore again demonstrate their renown battling qualities to move to within a score.
Killyclogher 0-11 Dromore 0-8
21 MINS
The St Mary’s sense the danger with Emmett McFadden, Martin Swift and Simon O’Neill combining for Niall McFadden to fire over an eye catching score.
Killyclogher 0-12 Dromore 0-8
22 MINS
The end to end nature of the game continues with Niall Sludden for once escaping a tight marking Killyclogher defence to get his name on the scoresheet.
Killyclogher 0-12 Dromore 0-9
24 MINS
McCoy is fouled and when the ball is moved forward for dissent it makes McCusker’s job a little easier from only 20m out to leave just two between the sides.
Killyclogher 0-12 Dromore 0-10
26 MINS
Conall McCann sends a sweetly struck 45 straight between the posts after Niall Sludden had brilliantly blocked a shot from Mark Bradley for what was their last score.
Killyclogher 0-13 Dromore 0-10
29 MINS
Killyclogher are down to 13 men as well and McCusker knocks over the resulting 22m metre free to set up a tense finish.
Killyclogher 0-13 Dromore 0-11
31 MINS
McCarron delivers a long ball to Ryan McMenamin who in turn plays it to Fearghal O’Neill who finds McCusker and the centre half forward blasts just over the bar.
Killyclogher 0-13 Dromore 0-12
FINAL SCORE
KILLYCLOGHER 0-13 DROMORE 0-12
