Drom & Inch 0-20

Kildangan 0-20

Our senior hurlers kicked off their competitive campaign for 2017 with a hard earned point against a very spirited Kildangan outfit in The Ragg on a calm St. Patrick’s Day morning. In ideal conditions for this time of the year, with virtually no wind or rain, the standard of hurling at times was next to championship pace with some fine scores taken by both teams.

With a restructured league system for this year in a very competitive group, it was important for both clubs to hit the ground running, and it was evident from the start that both clubs were hungry for the victory right from the off. In an explosive opening 5 minutes the sides were level after some fine scores traded between the sides with Brendan Larkin, Johnny Ryan & Seamus Callanan raising white flags for Drom equally matched by Jonathon Horan & Darragh Egan (2x frees) for Kildangan. The men from Puckaun began to take control of the game with further points from Ruairi Gleeson and two points from full forward Eoin Kelly. Drom started to crawl back into the game with a clever side line from David Butler, picked out his brother Michéal who found space to slot over a nice point from the left side line. Further points from Callanan (x2), Larkin, Johnny Ryan & Michéal Butler ensured Drom were always a threat up front.  With the teams drawing level on 9 occasions in the first half, there was nothing separating the sides at half time with the scores tied at 11 points each.

Kildangan started the second half in flying form scoring 3 points without reply. It took some well taken frees from Callanan (x3) to settle Drom back into the match. After a ding dong battle at midfield with Joe Gallagher in the first half, Drom’s Johnny Ryan started to find his rhythm with two well taken points from long range. At this stage Drom & Inch were playing well with youngsters Robbie Long & half time substitute, Paul Kennedy adding well worked scores. Despite Kildangan having a player sent off with 10 minutes remaining, they always posed a threat in attack and with normal time elapsed; found themselves in the lead by the slightest of margins. However, one more scorching run from Seamus Callanan from under the stand, set himself up to level the match from a tight angle deep into stoppage time.  

With ferocious 1 v 1 battles all over the field, none more so than Enda Walsh & Darragh Egan, and some excellent point shooting from the forwards, Drom will be happy with their defensive efforts along with their work rate throughout the field, with a solid display from full back line of Kevin Butler & the Campion brothers. James Woodlock provided the platform for setting up the attack from centre back with Michael Purcell and Enda Walsh operating well on the wings at either side.

All square in The Ragg at 20 points apiece, no doubt bigger tests lie ahead for both teams.

Drom & Inch team & scorers

1.       Damien Younge

2.       Podge Campion

3.       Michael Campion

4.       Kevin Butler

5.       Michael Purcell

6.       James Woodlock

7.       Enda Walsh

8.       Johnny Ryan (0-05)

9.       Jamie Bergin

10.      Brendan Larkin (0-02)

11.      Michael Connors

12.      Michéal Butler (0-02)

13.      Seamus Callanan (0-09, 0-06 frees)

14.      David Butler

15.      Robbie Long (0-01)

Subs

22.      Paul Kennedy (0-01) for Podge Campion (HT)

21.      Joey Maher for Larkin (62)

20.      Shane Hassett for Long (62)