Updated: Wednesday, 1st September, 2010 4:51pm

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Drumree shock for Blackhall Gaels following tight contest

by Conall Collier

Drumree 1-14, Blackhall Gaels 1-7

It might be a new form of the tackle that Blackhall Gaels have perfected, but it failed to impede David Wallace in the IHC semi-final at Trim on Saturday.

Drumree caused a bit of an upset at Trim on Saturday evening when they negotiated the challenge of Blackhall Gaels in the IHC semi-final.

Blackhall were beaten in the final last year by Longwood and were eager to make amends for that reversal, but they were undone by a determined Drumree side that recovered from a tentative opening half.

Drumree trailed by 0-3 to 1-4 at the interval, but they more than compensated for a fairly inept opening half with a swashbuckling performance after the break.

Two Stephen Doyle points from play and a well-taken effort by David Wallace completed Drumree's paltry first-half tally while Blackhall almost effortlessly took that four-point advantage to the dressing room.

Alan Nestor, Conor Burke, Daniel Carty and Colm Whitty split the posts for the Gaels with the all-important goal arriving in the 18th minute. Nestor, who was always a threat, finished the sliotar to the net.

Blackhall drew a third-quarter blank on the scoreboard as Drumree reeled off the points through a brace from Doyle, a '65' and a free, Liam Shanley and Brendan Walsh which tied the scores at 1-4 to 0-7 with 15 minutes remaining.

There was a touch of the bizarre about Walsh's point, Drumree's opening score of the second-half.

Blackhall goalkeeper Fergus Smyth produced a fresh-air pull on the sliotar as he attempted to clear, but the ball rolled wide.

As he prepared to take the puck-out, he fouled the sliotar which resulted in a throw-in on the 20-metre line from which Walsh gained possession.

Drumree also introduced David Crimmins and Caoimhin King during that spell which gave them an extra dimension.

However, Blackhall got going again with points from Burke and substitute Dermot Carty, which restored a two-point advantage, but they were cancelled by similar efforts for Drumree by Wallace and Doyle before centre-back Brian Coughlan surged forward and claimed the lead score for Mike Cole's men.

Stephen Morris sent over a fine point from play for Blackhall which drew the sides level again (1-7 to 0-10) as the tempo increased, but when King found the net with seven minutes remaining it gave Drumree enough propulsion to keep the opposition scoreless for the remainder.

Drumree, who benefited enormously from some lengthy puck-outs, finished with a flourish and reeled off four unanswered points to secure a place in the final against Boardsmill who are managed by former Drumree stalwart David Troy.

Drumree - R Curley; D Doyle, S Troy, S McGroder; P Walsh, B Coughlan (0-1 free), J Gilsenan; B Walsh (0-1), C Kenny; S Doyle (0-5 two frees, one '65') J Crimmins (0-2), D Wallace (0-3); F Delaney (0-1), C Doyle, L Shanley (0-1). Subs - D Crimmins for McGroder 40 mins; C King (1-0) for D Doyle 45m.

Blackhall Gaels - F Smyth; C Burke, D McGowan, N O'Hora; Daniel Carty (0-1), S O'Loughlin, C Delany; C Burke (0-2), S Morris (0-1); C Whitty (0-1), T Murphy, T Coyle; A Nestor (1-1), K Coyle, K Maye. Subs - E Broad for Maye 29 mins; Dermot Carty (0-1) for Coyle 40m; N Mangan for Murphy 56m.

Referee - Gerry Keoghan (Kilmessan)