📝 Tuairisc Cluiche (Match Report)

The group of death was also going to see one heavyweight lose out, and Saturday evenings match between our lads and Summerhill was do or die for both teams!

Having watched our Premier 1 side defeat Summerhill in the 4pm throw in, our seniors were hoping for a big performance, and a result to match. Unfortunately, the performance came, but the result was just out of reach.

Summerhill started the brighter of the two team and were two points in with only 5 minutes on the clock, but the next five minutes belonged to the Moors, as Michael O’Sullivan pointed from a mark, Darragh McGovern pointed from a free, and Jamie Browne continued his fine form in front of the posts to take the lead. Andy Colgan produced a smart save to deny Summerhill a goal, but defending champions were beginning to find some space in the Donaghmore third.

Against the run of play, our lead was extended when James Redmond, on one of his trademarked forward runs, stuck the ball over the bar. Less than two minutes later and that lead was gone as Conor Frayne showed his class to tear through the Donaghmore defence and find the back of the net. Both teams traded scored for the remainder of the half as Browne got his second and Andy Colgan raised the white flag twice from long range frees.

Half Time Score:
Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 0-07
Druim Samhraidh 1-07

Summerhill began the second half as they did the first, with back to back scores to widen the gap between the sides to five. The industrious James Crumlish clawed a score back, but two more scores saw the lead extended to six points, the second of which came seconds after Donaghmore were claiming a penalty at the other end following a potential foot block.

Andy Tormey, having entered the play seven minutes into the second half, had an immediate impact. McGovern struck the ball and as it rebounded off the post, Tormey was on hand to catch it, round his man and drive the ball low towards the Summerhill net. As he kicked the ball, it struck a Summerhill foot and those wearing green awaited the referees whistle. The referee, who marshalled the game brilliantly, waived away the protests and seconds later Summerhill went six points clear.

Not to be denied another moment of glory in a Donaghmore jersey, Tormey was in the perfect place to fist the ball into the net following a great piece of play from Conor Carton down the right flank. From the kickout, Tomey added a point bringing his tally to four in just over four minutes. Summerhill pointed again from a free before McGovern (free) and Browne left the minimum between the sides with ten to go.

Another Summerhill free and two missed 45’s saw our lads chasing a goal as the game entered the dying minutes. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Summerhill stayed strong and the game finished with no more scores.

Full Time Score:
Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 1-11
Druim Samhraidh 1-13

Team:

Andy Colgan (0-2 frees); Aaron McLoughlin, James Redmond (0-1), Conor Carton; Evan Quinn, Shane Melia, Cillian Hegarty; Sean Curran, Jamie Browne (0-3); Bryan Menton, Darragh McGovern (0-2 frees), Thomas McGovern; James Crumlish (0-1), Dylan Brady, Michael O'Sullivan (0-1 mark). Subs - Sean Tyrell for McLoughlin 33m, Andrew Tormey (1-1) for Brady 37m, Jack Doran for O'Sullivan 46m, Steven Carton for Crumlish 55m.

To lose two matches by such narrow margins is difficult, but the lads can hold their heads up high knowing the produced some beautiful football in all three games. Next up is a relegation battle with Seneschalstown on Friday 20th September in Duleek. Ádh mór a bhuachaillí!