Drumree eclipse rivals with late Rooney goal

Drumree made amends for their disappointing performance in the Leinster Club JHC when they survived a stern Kiltale challenge to capture the A HL Div 2 title at St Loman’s Park, Trim on Saturday with a late Keith Rooney goal. The Drumree men appear to take some time to warm up in games as they were very lethargic during the opening exchanges, but gradually found some momentum to take the local bragging rights against their neighbours. Drumree also looked more solid in the second-half when they moved Caoimhin King to centre-back with Brian Coughlan going to midfield. County footballer King looks much more comfortable in the centre-back position and if he lines out in that berth for the 2011 SHC then Drumree will have a more solid look about them. However, they also need to address their apparent inability to make any sort of impact in the opening period of a game. They produced a similar performance against Delvin at Cusack Park, Mullingar and it ultimately cost them victory. This time around they were well in control until Kiltale’s Damien Dixon received a second-half red card. That decision by referee Pat Gannon appeared to ignite Kiltale and they got back to level terms (2-6 apiece) with three minutes remaining, but a goal of the soft variety gave Drumree their 'get out of jail card’ with only 60 seconds remaining. Kiltale were more proficient in front of the posts, but only just, and managed a point apiece from Cathal McCabe and James Kelly for a 0-2 to 0-0 first-quarter lead. All Drumree could muster was three wides in the same period which eclipsed two wayward efforts from Kiltale. William Harnan was denied a goal soon after when Drumree goalkeeper Ronan Curley deflected his effort over the bar for a 0-3 to 0-0 first-quarter lead. Drumree had to wait until the 20th minute for a score when Stephen Doyle converted a free which was awarded after Kiltale’s Paul Garvey over-carried and then showed some dissent against the decision by hitting the sliotar away. The referee moved the free forward and Doyle duly converted. Buoyed by the score Drumree surged forward and found the net when Mark Devaney kicked the sliotar to the net in the 22nd minute. Doyle added a point from another free before the interval which gave Drumree a 1-2 to 0-3 interval lead. Drumree sprung from the traps on the resumption with an excellent Christopher Doyle point from the left wing. Doyle then claimed a rather fortunate goal when his lofted effort into the square was fumbled over the line by the usually dependable Ollie Regan. Further points from Doyle, Coughlan and David Wallace eased Drumree into the comfort zone with a 2-6 to 0-3 advantage. Kiltale substitute Tiernan Mahady got his side’s first score of the half in the 11th minute and then Garvey’s lofted centre was dropped into the net by Drumree’s Ronan Curley. Drumree were under pressure at that stage and when Dixon was red-carded they upped the tempo even more and were rewarded with a goal from Alan Donnelly. Mahady then sent over two frees and with extra-time looming Drumree enjoyed a slice of good fortune when Coughlan delivered a high ball into the square which put Regan under pressure. Substitute Rooney, only on the pitch about five minutes, forced the sliotar over the line. Drumree - R Curley; C Kenny, S Troy, S McGroder; P Walsh, B Coughlan (0-1), J Gilsenan; B Walsh, F Delaney; S Doyle (0-3 frees), C King, D Wallace (0-1); M Devaney (1-0), D Crimmins, C Doyle (1-1). Subs - J Reilly for Walsh and K Rooney (1-0) for Delaney, both 53 mins. Kiltale - O Regan; S White, S Moyles, J Carey; D Kane, S Carroll, R Donoghue; P Garvey (1-0), P Kelly; W Harnan (0-1), D Dixon, J Kelly (0-1); C McCabe (0-1), A Donnelly (0-1), PJ Walsh. Subs - T Mahady (0-3 frees) for Harnan half-time; S Dunleavy for Moyles 35 mins; A Forde for Walsh 60m. Referee - Pat Gannon (Killyon).