Castletown 4-10 Drumbaragh 3-16

Hagler v Hearns, Rocky v Drago, Drumbaragh v Castletown - What. A. Battle.

Seven goals, 20 points, 2 red cards played at a blistering pace with both teams locking horns in an epic relegation battle - and ironically one of the best games in the IFC this season.

Attack was the best form of defence for both teams, the Drums drew first blood with a point within the opening minute from William Carry as the Kells parish men settled quickest in the opening exchanges. However, it was Castletown that made most of the ball scoring 1-03 without reply points by Killian Price, Kevin Ross Tommy Smith a well taken goal from the lively Rian Monaghan.

Drumbaragh's running game began to pay dividends narrowing the gap with last two points before the water-break, thanks to a Colm Carry free and DJ Carry.Drumbaragh reacted quickest to the restart and scored two more points from Luke Fagan and the evergreen James Connolly to bring it back to a one-point game.

Defences were left exposed on both sides with the wing backs playing a high press which created plenty of opportunity for both sets of forwards. Castletown making the most of some sloppy Drums defending when scoring a 1-02 within two minutes to lead by six points, with Ross once again pointing from a free.Things were looking bleak for the Drums - who found themselves 7 points down with 23 minutes on the clock. Credit to the men in green and red, they rallied well, scoring four points on the trot to leave the score at the interval Castletown 2-06 to Drumbaragh 0-09.

Ciarán O'Malley's troops opened the second half as they finished the first, scoring with two quickfire points from Colm Carry. Both sides traded points before Drumbaragh regained the lead for the second time in the game - wing back John D Smith was relentless on the day, and a massive point from long range from the diminutive defender acted as a massive confidence boost to his side.

A cracker of a goal followed from Drumbaragh talisman William Carry and further points from DJ Carry and Fagan followed to go three points clear - Castletown were on the ropes. As if it wasn't bad enough for John Tiernan's side, corner back Eoin Reid received his marching orders for a needless kick on Conor Lynch right under the nose of referee Kieran Olwell.

A sending off can often have the adverse effect on the team with 15, and it proved so as Castletown regrouped well in the fourth quarter with that man again Kevin Ross adding a further goal and a point to his impressive tally.

The slugfest continued with Drumbaragh once again on the offence recording a fine goal from DJ Carry and another pointed free - a frenetic end to end attacking football that had everyone (in Moynalty and on Drums TV) enthralled. Centre forward Darren Finney scored Castletown's fourth goal with ten minutes left on the clock to leave the game a draw 4-08 for Castletown 2-14 for Drumbaragh.

Further drama ensued when Drums No.4 Joe Carry dragged down the dangerous Finney to receive marching orders of his own. With five minutes to go - it looked like neither team wanted to win this one with! Castletown once again got their noses in front but the Drums simply would not give up, their superior fitness started to show late on with the youthful midfield duo of Luke Fagan and Harry O'Higgins leading the charge.

Man of the match Colm Carry dealt the killer 'punch' when he popped out of a swarm of players to expertly squeeze the ball passed Jonathan Ginnitty from the tightest of angles. Carry's goal had Drumbaragh two to the good with seconds remaining of normal time. The referee who played over 5 minutes at the end ensured there was time for more scores with Colm Carry adding a further point from play to increase their lead to three. Nerves were frayed at this stage, with supporters and commentators hiding behind sanitized hands when Kevin Ross pointed a close range free as Castletown went in search of a goal.

But it was Drumbaragh who would have the final say with another well worked score with the two Carry brothers - Colm and substitute Thomas - combining for a point before the full time "bell" rang out after what seemed like 12 rounds of heavyweight action.

A mixture of jubilation and relief for the Drums, despair for the men from Castletown. High octane entertainment for the neutral.

Drumbaragh's mettle and survival instincts once again coming to the fore and please God a massive building block for the IFC 2021 campaign.

Drumbaragh: Jamie Timmons, John Morrissey, Peter Carry, Joe Carry, JD Smith (0-01), Eamon McGee, Paddy Murray, Harry O'Higgins, Luke Fagan (0-02), DJ Carry (1-02), William Carry (1-02), Michael McNamee, Conor Lynch (0-01), Colm Carry (1-07), James Connolly (0-02).

Subs: Stephen Meegan for McGee, Noel Corcoran for Connolly, Thomas Carry for Lynch.

Castletown: Jonathan Ginnitty, Alex Matthews, Gerard Farrelly, Eoin Reid, Killian Price (0-01), Evan Hoey, Killian Markey, William Bellew, Declan Cribbin, Paul Bellew, Darren Finney (1-00), Damien Ginnitty, Tommy Smith (0-02), Kevin Ross (1-07, 6f)) Rian Monaghan (2-00).

Subs: Wayne Donegan for Rian Monaghan, Noel Smyth for Paul Bellew

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