Drumlane 0-7 Killinkere 0-7

A late, late free for Drumlane secured a draw after a disappointing JFC final at Hugh O’Reilly Park, Cootehill.

A Darren Smith free with seven minutes to go had nudged Killinkere, who led for most of the match, in front but Drumlane dug deep and were awarded a free deep in injury time which Ryan Connolly stroked over from 20 metres.

The county player had one more chance but his shot tailed wide and the long whistle sounded moments later.

At half-time, Killinkere held a slender 0-5 to 0-3 lead after an eventful opening 30 minutes.

Paddy Bates’s side had the better of the exchanges but missed numerous chances and suffered a double blow when full-back Kevin McCabe picked up a straight red card after 19 minutes for an off-the-ball incident and experienced midfielder Noel McGovern picked up a black moments before the interval.

Drumlane opened the scoring with a Connolly free but that was cancelled out by a well-taken Emmett Fitzsimons point from the left corner.

After good work from youngster Daragh Dolan, Connolly converted another free as Killinkere squandered a couple of chances but after a good turnover from McGovern, they drew level with a sweetly-struck Darren Smith point.

The junior goal kings were denied a three-pointer shortly afterwards when Gareth Corrigan saved bravely from Damien Sexton before Connolly and Fitzsimons traded frees to leave it 0-3 apiece after 20 minutes, by which stage Killinkere had lost McCabe.

They made light of the setback and added two more points before half-time, both from Darren Smith (one free) as the sides went in at the break with the tie evenly poised.

The second half was also extremely close, although the quality was much lower than what they’ve sides have produced all championship.

A Ciaran Sexton point made it 0-6 to 0-3 two and a half minutes after the restart but Killinkere would only muster one more point in the second half.

Two points from lively sub Donal Reilly dragged Fintan Reilly’s charges closer and they were denied goals by two good saves from Sean McGovern.

Drumlane eventually levelled with a free from Connolly but they couldn’t get their noses in front. Smith held his nerve for Killinkere’s lead score but after Kian Monahan won a throw-up deep in injury time, ref Harry Conaty adjudged him to have been fouled and Connolly slotted over the equaliser.

Drumlane: Gareth Corrigan; Declan Lunney, John O’Dowd, Sean Smith; Shane Dolan, Donal Monahan, Darragh Brady; Dane O’Dowd, Kian Monahan; Francis Lunney, Philip King, Ciaran Crowe, Gary Tubman, Ryan Connolly (0-5, 5f), Daragh Dolan. Subs: Donal Reilly (0-2) for F Lunney, Fergal Brady for P King, Killian Tubman for G Tubman

Killinkere: Sean McGovern; Mark Farrelly, Kevin McCabe, Liam McCabe; Gary Denning, Lewis Fay Cooper, Breen Smith; Jason McMahon, Noel McGovern; Darren Smith (0-4, 2f), Ciaran Sexton (0-1), Anthony Brady; Damien Sexton, Emmett Fitzsimons (0-2, 1f), Peter McCabe. Subs: Daniel Sweeney for McGovern (BC), Paul Kerr for C Sexton, Jamie Smith for D Sexton, Ciaran Cusack for Brady

Ref: Harry Conaty (Butlersbridge)

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