Article from Dromore GFC Facebook

Dromintee 0-11 v Carryduff 0-03

A barnstorming second half performance saw Armagh champions Dromintee live up to their pre tournament favourites tag to gain a place in their club’s first ever Ulster final in Gardrum Park Dromore on Sunday. The final outcome hung in the balance when both teams went in level at half time following a tense but high quality opening thirty minutes, however a much improved and more determined Dromintee took control after the break to hold their opponents scoreless much to the delight of their travelling support in a gamely superbly handled by Monaghan referee Christopher Brady.

The hard working Fergus Toale opened the scoring for the Naomh Padraig side converting a short range free before two points from the towering Liam Blayney, one from long range gave the Antrim champions the lead for the first and only time.

Blayney and fellow corner forward Fintan McArdle caused the Dromintee rearguard many headaches with their movement and quality on the ball, prompting the Dromintee management to drop Fergus Toale back to cut off the supply to the inside men, Toale had a superb sixty minutes and dictated a lot of the play as his team began to assert their superiority.

A good pointed effort from 35 yards via full forward Odhran Carnegie levelled matters and this was followed by a pointed free from the games top marksman Diarmaid O’Rourke. In the closing moments of the first half, the Dromintee management breathed a huge sigh of relief as a goalbound effort from Carryduff’s Sean Duffy seemed destined to rattle the net only to be denied by a last gasp sliding goal line clearance from half back Keane McArdle, Carryduff keeper Ciaran O’Neill pointed the resulting ’45 to send the teams in deadlocked 0-3 each at the break.

The half time words of wisdom by the Dromintee management of Kevin Toale and former Donegal manager Aidan O’Rourke certainly done the trick as their team flew out of the blocks and never looked back. McArdle who’s driving runs from deep were causing problems kicked an inspirational score from out on the right wing to signal his sides intent and O’Rourke converted two more free’s to put his side three points ahead.

A point blank save from Ciaran O’Neill to deny Michael Walker kept his side in the hunt but it was only a temporary relief as Carryduff struggled to stem the white and blue tide despite the best efforts of full back Aodhan McElvoy who was having a great battle with Carnegie.

Fionnan Toale’s soccer style effort cleared the crossbar for a point and O’Rourke added to this with a long range effort to put five between the sides approaching the three quarter mark. Dromintee didn’t have it all their own way though as Carryduff piled on the pressure, but a defence led superbly by MFC Sports man of the match Gavin O’Rourke held firm ensuring they didn’t concede any further socres and they took great advantage of the increasing space at the other end of the field. A black card for Blayney all but ended the Antrim men’s chances and O’Rourke got his fifth point of the day converting a free after he was fouled himself while bearing down on goal. Late points from Fionnan Toale and Carnegie put the seal on a hugely impressive second half performance to see the South Armagh me safely through to the final on Saturday 23rd against Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran.

Dromintee manager Kevin Toale was a happy man at the end but is well aware that an improved performance will be required to bring the coveted Paul McGirr Cuchaillan bronze trophy back to the An Spielg ‘We knew coming into the game that Carryduff were going to test us to the limit and this was certainly the case in the first half. We weren’t overly happy with our first half performance but the boys stepped up after the break and showed what they were capable of. Our defence battled hard and the second half shut out provided the platform for the lads up front. We are delighted to be in the final for what will be a historic occasion for the club but we are well aware we need to improve if we are to secure the title.’

The Ulster final will take place next Saturday (23rd) in Gardrum Park at 1:00 p.m.

Teams:

Dromintee – Calvin Mooney, Michael O’Neill, Gavin O’Rourke, Daithi McCreesh, Keane McArdle (0-1), Tomas Fox, Jarlath O’Neill, Conor Laverty, Michael Walker, Fergus Toale (0-1, 1f), Diarmaid O’Rourke (0-5, 4f), Fionnan Toale (0-2), Ronan Martin, Odhran Carnegie (0-2) and Oisin Byrne SUBS: Conor Dunne for McCreesh, Scott Harris for Martin

Carryduff – Ciaran O’Neill (0-1, 45), Conall Vaugh, Aodhan McElvoy, Oliver Burrows, Jude Dixon, Oisin Illand, Tom Hickson, Joe Kerr, Danny Knight, Sean Duffy, Owen McHugh, Daire O’Neill, Liam Blayney (0-2), Fionn Dougan and Fintan McArdle SUBS: Rory Keenan for Burrows, Rory McConnell for D O’Neill, Oisin Lyons for Dixon

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