If winning is a habit, then our lads have developed that in recent months, a run of results which saw them reach the Feis Cup Final for the second year running. In a match that neither team wanted to lose, the last five minutes saw one team throw caution to the wind and go for the win!
It was a damp night in Simonstown and the supporters were hoping the rain would hold off. Simonstown won the throw in and could have gone ahead within three minutes but put a kickable free just wide of the posts. Donaghmore followed up with two wides of their own as it became clear that, given the numbers behind the ball, scoring opportunities would be limited.
When in possession, Simonstown moved across the field as they waited for the right pass into the forward line. With 8 minutes on the clock they found that pass, however, a wonderful piece of defensive work from Aaron McLoughlin prevented an effort on goal. The resulting 45 saw Seán Tobin open the scoring for the Gaels.
Donaghmore were controlling the ball well but a wayward pass in from of the opposition goal saw Simonstown break quickly and Aaron Farrelly slot over for the second point of the game. Bryan Menton, as industrious as ever, fielded the ball and went on a run up the pitch. A hard shot saw him hit the ground, but as he was falling, he was able to hand pass the ball to Darragh O’Sullivan who turned his man and unleashed a long range shot which sailed between the posts.
McLoughlin and Luke Barrett were doing well to stop the Simonstown forwards winning any clean balls, but when they did claim a mark in front of goal, they resulting shot missed the mark. When not in possession, Simonstown loaded their defence, slowing the game down and restricting Donaghmore to low percentage shots. A turnover in their defensive third saw Evan Quinn break at pace up the sideline and some good link up play resulted in Kevin Fenton drawing the team’s level with 22 minutes on the clock.
Both teams traded misses before a great tackle by Thornton on the half way line saw Conor Carton run through the Simonstown defence and give Donaghmore the lead for the first time. With just second remaining in the first half, McLoughlin again beat his man to the ball, but the breaking ball fell to Farrelly who tied the score.
Half Time: Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 0-03 v Gaeil Baile Shiomoin 0-03
Donaghmore made some changes during the break with Shane Melia coming in for Josh Lancaster. This moved Darragh McGovern into the Half Forward line and Darragh O’Sullivan into Corner Forward.
The second half started much quicker than the first as Tobin and Thornton both pointed from free kicks within three minutes. This trend continued as Shane McEnery and Seán Curran traded scores before two quick points saw Simonstown put some distance between the sides.
James Redmond, whose running was causing problems for the Simonstown defence, broke a tackle before adding his name to the scoresheet. A free close to the ‘45’ gave Andy Colgan a chance to tie the scores with 8 minutes to go, which he duly did. The resulting kick out saw Simonstown create an overlap on the Donaghmore left lank and Mark Devlin was disappointed as his flick, which was intended for the net, sailed over the bar for a point.
Needing a score, Donaghmore turned to their Mr. Reliable, as Andy Tormey replaced O’Sullivan for the final five minutes. This proved to be an inspired substitution as Tormey found the back of the net seconds after entering the pitch. A long-range effort from Seán Tyrrell, who had replaced McGovern ten minutes earlier, dropped short and was spilled by Simonstown’s keeper, Robbie Burlingham. Almost ten years since he was awarded Club Na Mí Player of the Year, Tormey was in the right place, at the right time and volleyed the ball into the empty net to put his side in front, 1-07 to 0-08.
Simonstown responded immediately with a point of their own before another Redmond carry up the line ended with Menton fisting over the bar to restore the two point lead heading into added time. Fresh legs entered the fray as Thomas McGovern and Shaun Byrne replaced James Crumlish and Fenton. Simonstown gave it their all but as they chased scores, gaps opened in their defensive lines and Colgan (free) and Tyrrell added scores before the whistle blew.
Full Time: Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 1-10 v Gaeil Baile Shiomoin 0-09
After a slow cagey start, the dramatic ending definitely gave fans their monies worth. Hopefully this is the beginning of something special for this team. Maith sibh a bhuachaillí!
Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin - Andy Colgan (0-2 frees), Aaron McLoughlin, Evan Quinn, Luke Barrett, James Redmond (0-1), Conor Carton (0-1), Darragh McGovern, Sean Curran (0-1), Bryan Menton (0-1), Darragh O'Sullivan (0-1), Zach Thornton (0-2 frees), James Crumlish, Josh Lancaster, Kevin Fenton (0-1), Michael O'Sullivan.
Subs - Shane Melia for Lancaster 30m, Sean Tyrell (0-1) for D McGovern 44m, Andy Tormey (1-0) for D O'Sullivan 54m, Thomas McGovern for Crumlish 59m, Shaun Byrne for Fenton 60m.
Gaeil Baile Shiomoin - Robbie Burlingham, Mark Devlin (0-1), Stephen Moran, Aaron Chinchilla, Brian McGrath, Josh Carolan, David McKeever, Brian Conlon, Tadhg Hanrahan, Jimmy Heaney, Sean Tobin (0-2 one free, one '45'), Shane McEnery (0-1 free), Luke Caffrey, Padraig McKeever (0-2 one free), Aaron Farrelly (0-3).
Subs - Shane Barry for Hanrahan 38m, Eoghan Gough for McKeever, 42m Michael Gavigan for Caffrey 42m, Ben Hoey for McEnery 54m, David Kavanagh for Heaney 62m.
Referee - Robbie Purfield (St Patrick's).
