St Mary’s 5-14 Drumconrath 0-08

It was less than a month since St Mary’s got the better of Drumconrath by 8 in the league final, but championship is a different animal and Drumconrath would have vengeance on their minds for sure. A St Mary’s win would guarantee a Championship Semi final spot and dump Drumconrath out of the 2025 championship and end their season. 

St Mary’s were playing with the advantage of a strong breeze in the opening half as they awaited the throw up, which was delayed by a few minutes when St Mary’s Cathal Sheridan was required to replace his jersey as a result of his starting jersey being ripped off him.

When the game did eventually start Drumconrath to their credit started stronger, defended well, kept possession well and drew 2 fouls in inside 20 yards which were well converted to take an early lead. 

St Marys slowly started to grow into the game and were getting their hands on more ball, but a couple of snap shots didn’t yield any scores. Then their first score came, AJ Bradshaw won a break from the Drumconrath kickout, used his pace to slice through their defence and eventually squared it to Sean Nulty who rattled the onion bag confidently. This was immediately added to following an impressive 45’ from Caimin Hughes. Drumconrath replied with a point from play bringing their tally to 3. St Mary’s registered the next score from an unlikely source, Conor O Brien overlapped at pace and was found in space, he then calmly fisted over from 10 yards. Then Andy Brien was found well, secured possession but was caught with a high tackle. When Andy returned to his feet, he converted the resultant free, an excellent 2 pointer. Drumconrath then notched another point from a free, this would be their last score of the 1st half. 

St Mary’s were very much in the driving seat at this stage but wouldn’t have been entirely happy with their shooting, this succession of wides was ended when Andy Brien pointed well from play. Caimin Hughes then got his first point from play when he cut in beautifully from the right side to point effortlessly.  Drumcondra’s attacks were repelled brilliantly by the Mary’s Defence, the full back line of Conor O Brien, John Spain and Liam Lynch were completely on top now, this was allowing the half back line of Maithiu Brien, Dylan Bagnall and AJ Bradshaw to launch quick counter attacks which were causing the Drumconrath rearguard serious problems. This pressure was paying off and conscious of the breeze they would need to defend in the second half, they pushed on for more scores. The next 2 scores of the half came from the impressive Sean Nulty and were almost identical, superbly finished from tight angles on the right side. Andy Brien’s second successful free of the afternoon was the last score of the half. St Mary’s had started the half slowly but finished the stronger side, they had a lead of 8 at the break, the question was, would that be enough.

Half Time: St Mary’s  1-09  Drumconrath 0-04

Would Drumconrath change tact, go longer and more direct? They certainly had the right player for that in Stephen Crosby. However, it appeared that they had opted to keep him in the middle for the second period. A quick start would have been demanded by both management teams, St Mary’s to put further light between the teams and Drumconrath to narrow the gap and ask some questions of the Boynesiders. St Mary’s drew first blood, Joey Greene converting a super point having received a layoff at pace. Drumconrath responded almost immediately with a point from play. The wind wasn’t proving an obstacle to the Mary’s as they were starting to dominate the middle through the industrious Tadhg Dixon and splendid Joey Greene. Joey would soon reap the reward for this effort. Cormac Victory was fouled 40 yards from goal, found Sean Nulty inside with an excellent quick pass, Sean then off loaded to the galloping Joey Greene who finished decisively to the net. 

St Mary’s 3rd goal followed quickly, When Cormac Victory cut in well from the right side, quickly released the ball to Ben Loughran who was dispossessed well by a fine tackle, however Cormac had continued his run and pounced on the breaking ball and netted smartly. The Mary’s men were now 12 to the good and looking for more, their lead was briefly reduced to 10 when Drumconrath landed a 2 pointer free after the ball had been brought forward for dissent. There was only one team in the contest now, Drumconrath’s kickout was under pressure unlike the Mary’s kickouts which were dispatched brilliantly by Adam Byrne. This dominance was helped by a determined and combative half forward line of Ben Loughran, Cathal Sheridan and Caimin Hughes who were winning a powerful amount of breaking ball and linking very well with the inside forwards. Andy Brien continued his impressive scoring with another pointed free. Sean Nulty then got his 3rd point from play. Drumconrath then got one back from a free, and would turn out to be Drumconrath’s last score of the contest. This wasn’t helped when they were reduced to 14 men, as the referee Ian Dowdall issued a second yellow to Drumconrath player Michael Kearney for a second high challenge. Caimin Hughes soon scored his 3rd score of the game, which was a fine point from play. The situation then worsened for Drumconrath as they were reduced down to 13 following a straight red for Daniel Byrne following an off the ball incident. At this stage it was a dangerous situation for St Marys as they were subject to more than a couple off the ball and late challenges but with full credit to the ref, he kept a lid on proceedings. 

Any doubt that the game was over as a contest was put to bed when Cormac Victory got his 2nd goal, cutting in along the end line this time he found Nulty with a hand pass, who flicked back to Victory who palmed to the net. Drumconrath's woes were compounded when lightning struck for a second time when a marauding Conor O Brien found himself at the end of a fine team move and finished well to register St Mary’s 5th goal. The last score of the afternoon came with 4 minutes to go when Cormac Victory converted confidently from 25 yards. When the final whistle was sounded there was more than a little relief from the entire St Mary’s travelling contingent, we could head back Boyneside with clean bill of health. Mary’s management will have been happy to have the opportunity to introduce Andy Everard, James Lynch, Cian O Brien, Adam Craven and Eoin Jackson from the bench all of whom looked lively, and a nod to the fine St Mary’s squad performance on the day.

Congratulations on the win and performance today lads, particular credit must go to the players for their discipline, we must also commend our faithful traveling support on their conduct. 

So, what does all this mean? A guaranteed semi-final spot, whether we go through in first or second place will come down to the final match of the Championship group against Moynalty with the winner topping the group.  

St Mary’s: Adam Byrne; Liam Lynch, John Spain, Conor O’Brien (1-1); AJ Bradshaw, Dylan Bagnall, Maithiu Brien; Joey Greene (1-1), Tadhg Dixon; Ben Loughran, Cathal Sheridan, Caimin Hughes (0-3, 1 45’): Andrew Brien (0-5, 1p, 1f, 1 2pf), Sean Nulty (1-3), Cormac Victory (2-2).

Subs: Andy Everard for Spain, James Lynch (C) for Dixon, Adam Craven for Bradshaw, Cian O’ Brien for Hughes, Eoin Jackson for A. Brien. Peter Waters, Tadhg Lynch, Neil Floyd, Peter Gogan, Kyle McKeown, Ruairi Condra, Robbie Callaghan. 

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