Kilmainham 2-13 Emmett Drumbaragh 3-10 

The spectators in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening were treated to a game that had it all from goals, a free taking masterclass, tenacious tackling and 2 All Ireland Winners thrown in for good measure.  

At underage level Kilmainham and Drumbaragh are amalgamated to form Round Towers and yesterday was a very special day for Round Towers as we saw Hughie Corcoran and Jake Balfe becoming All Ireland Medal winners. Congratulations to the Minor Team and Management on your well-deserved All Ireland Victory.  

When Kilmainham and Drumbaragh meet, it is never for the faint hearted. It always has everything that you would expect from a local derby and players that know each other so well. Throw in a first round loss for both sides and you’re in for a cracker.  

Kilmainham were the quickest out of the traps and Mickey Newman had his first point from a free on the board inside 3 minutes after super direct running from Larry Morgan drawing the foul. Jamie Madden increased his sides lead to 2 from just inside the 45’ when James Hennigan did exceptionally well under the ball from the kick out. Drumbaragh got off the mark on 6 minutes before Mickey popped over his 2nd free after Madden was fouled to keep his side’s 2-point advantage. Kilmainham looked to be on top but Drumbaragh benefited from the direct running of William Carry and he found the net to give his side a 1-point advantage with 9 minutes gone. Mark Newman responded immediately for his Kilmainham with a fantastic point off his right over the terrace side. Mickey added another free before a very well worked move from the Drumbaragh kick out seen Ger Morgan and Freddie Newman link up to win the kick out before Freddie fed Mickey and he slotted it over the bar to restore our 2-point lead. Drumbaragh responded and kicked 3 points before the water break to leave the minimum between the sides.  

Upon the resumption, Freddie Newman made his way up the field to find Madden. In a similar position to his first half point, Madden backed himself only to see the ball hit the post. Mickey was quickest to react and was eventually fouled. The free was in the tightest position possible, close to the sideline between the 10 and 13-yard line. Once the ball left his boot, it was going only one place, over the black spot. The teams were level once again, 0-07 to 1-04. Mickey put his side back in front before Drumbaragh responded with a pointed free before hitting the Kilmainham net for the second time after a scramble in the goal. Drumbaragh didn’t seem to know what to do with Morgan when he was running at them and fouled him once again and Mickey pointed the free. Drumbaragh may have had their 3rd goal on 25mins when John D. Smith seen his shot saved by Trevor Lynch. Mickey pointed again before Drumbaragh got their 3rd goal of the evening to leave the score line 0-10 to 3-05 at half time.  

Drumbaragh looked to be in control of the game after 5 minutes outscoring us 3points to 1 before corner back Darren O’Sullivan somehow found himself at the opposite end of the pitch. Lucky for us instead of trying to stop the goals he scored the goal his side craved to bring the margin back to 3 and give his side the boost they needed. The rest of the quarter seen errors from both sides as they tried to get a hold on the game. Mickey added another free after substitute Colm McGivern was fouled. It left just 2 points between the sides heading into the last quarter and if you were a Kilmainham supporter, you had to believe the tide was turning. Drumbaragh were not giving up and added 2 more points to stretch their advantage to a 2 score game. However, write off Kilmainham in a local derby at your peril. Mickey made a fantastic run down the middle with no one able to put a hand on him. He drew the defenders and when the time came to give the pass it was the other corner back Jamie O’Sullivan he found, who did exceptionally well and rattled the Drumbaragh net to put 1 between the sides and leave for a nail biting finish. Drumbaragh were reduced to 14 men after the lost mid fielder Joe Carry on a second yellow. Kilmainham pilled on the pressure and it was Morgan again with his direct running causing all sorts of trouble for Drumbaragh that drew the foul. Mickey stepped up cool as you like and brought the sides level with time remaining. From the kick out the referee blew the final whistle much to the despair of both sides and supporters as we all felt there was injury time remaining. The score line stands at 2-13 to 3-10, draw match.  

It was a massive improvement from Kilmainham from round 1 with every player fighting for each other and their club. They showed great character after the concession of each of the goals and kept tipping away at the Drumbaragh lead. There was good performances in all areas of the team, Mickey was exceptional from placed balls and Morgan was a thorn in Drumbaragh’s side all evening.  

The final round is do or die for Kilmainham and we will look forward to the challenge Ballivor will bring and draw great confidence from this evening performance.  

Kilmainham: Trevor Lynch, Darren O’Sullivan (1-00), Ros Mooney, Jamie O’Sullivan (1-00), Declan Mullen, Harry Newman, Freddie Newman, James Hennigan, Andy Arkins, Jamie Madden (0-01), Larry Morgan, Ger Morgan, Michael Newman (0-11; 9frees), Seanie Mahon, Mark Newman (0-01). Subs: Colm McGivern for Hennigan, Pat O’Sullivan for Arkins, Dean Peppard for Madden, Stephen Newman for J.O’Sullivan.  

 

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