Our intermediate hurling team are performing strongly so far in 2018. After losing their opening round of the county league to a strong Clonakenny team, they have been in impressive form.
Wins over Arravale Rovers, Boherlahan, Moyle Rovers and a walk over from Knckshegowna, Drom & Inch finished top of their group in the division 4 league. A scheduled semi-final showdown in the league against Gortnahoe will go ahead in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on the fixtures tab for this fixture.
Drom & Inch were draw in Group 3 of the county intermediate championship against Borrisokane, Galtee Rovers and Arravale Rovers. Drom opened up their championship campaign against Borrisokane. A team that played senior hurling in 2017, our boys knew they were going to be up against it. In soft conditions in Moneygall due to the overnight rain and a strong breeze going straight across the pitch, scores were going to be difficult to come by. This was a tight and physical encounter from the very start with neither side giving an inch. After a couple of traded early scores, Borrisokane found some breathing space a moved into 3 points to 1 lead after 15 minutes. At this point Borrisokane seemed in control of the game but on the 20 minute mark, Drom & Inch wrestled the initiative from the North men with a long range clearance from Drom centre back Eamonn Buckley was spilled by the Borrisokane goal keeper and Drom & Inch took the lead. Further scores coming from Seamus Butler, Michael Connors, Jamie Bergin & Eddie Costello ensured Drom & Inch went in at half time with a 5 point lead. 1-07 to 5 points. The second half was a much tighter affair with the Drom & Inch backs completely shutting up shop and not conceding a score. Granted conditions made shooting very difficult, huge credit must be given to their discipline and resolve. Scores from Seamus Butler (x3) and Jamie Bergin put the result beyond doubt 1-11 to 0-05. Drom & Inch were fully worthy of their 9 point victory in Moneygall.
In the Mid championship Drom were drawn against 2017 winners Gortnahoe in the semi-final. Having lost out to Gortnahoe in the county championship last year, Drom were fired up from the start. A first half goal from Jamie Bergin was always separating the sides despite conceding two goals themselves. Drom had their backs to the wall in the closing stages as Gortnahoe pressed hard to find a goal but excellent defensive efforts throughout the field ensure Gortnahoe got no clear cut chance and marched into the Mid final 2 point winners.
A repeat of the 2015 and 2016 final with Thurles Sarsfields with the outcome 1 apiece, this was always going to be a tight affair. In front of a huge crowd in Templemore Drom ran into a commanding 4 point to no score in the first 10 minutes. Win Lar Corbett & Seanie Butler coming close for Sars, only to be denied by the impressive Eoin Collins in goals and a strong full back line of Conor O’Meara, Michéal Butler and Mike Costello. Seamus Butler provided the majority of the scores up front but was aptly aided by Mickey Connors and Paul Kennedy. Going into the second half, Sarsfields piled on the pressure and looked like the found the break through when Conor Lanigan found space but had his point blank batted effort saved by Eoin Collins. Scores by Seamus Butler and a long range effort from Aidan O’Meara ensured Drom collected their 5th Mid Intermediate title and second in 4 years with a 4 point victory. The cup was presented to captain Eddie Costello and the Man of the Match award was presented to Martin McGrath in front of the delighted Drom & Inch supporters. Final score was 0-13 to 0-09. Management team of Kieran Young, Mick Bourke, Frankie McGrath & James Woodlock deserve huge credit for this win and realise the task at hand as Drom prepare for the remainder of the county championship.
