Leitrim Intermediate Championship Football Final - Replay
Carrigallen v Drumreilly
Venue: Cloone Date: 14.10.06 Throw-in: 6:00pm
Final Score: 2-06 / 1-07

Carrigallen make sure at second attempt
by John Connolly, Leitrim Observer

Having come so close to victory in the drawn game, Carrigallen made no mistake the second time of asking as they saw off a battling Drumreilly to win the GWP Intermediate Championship Final Replay in Cloone last Sunday. That a large slice of luck was needed to get them back into contention just before halftime won't be lost on Carrigallen but there is no doubt that they were the better team over the hour, their greater balance and enthusiasm eventually proving too much for Drumreilly.

In contrast to the drawn game, football took priority as both teams strove to beat the other through their skills, leading to a far better game and a tightly contested encounter that swung one way and then the other. Sunday's Final was also a classic clash of styles as Drumreilly relied on four or five individuals, and, for long periods, it looked as if that would be enough with Declan Maxwell in particular scoring a series of points that were simply outstanding.

But in the end, Drumreilly had no answer to Carrigallen's youth and greater balance. Carrigallen defended en masse, withdrawing players to frustrate Drumreilly's stars. And when they attacked, Carrigallen did that in numbers too, tackling like dervishes and upsetting Drumreilly. It was that sort of commitment that led to the vital scores in the second half. Time and time again, Drumreilly men found it impossible to work the ball clear and time and time again, Carrigallen profited.

However, when Drumreilly look back on this game, they will point to Carrigallen's first half goal as the turning point. Up to that point, Drumreilly were holding out but when a hopeful Charles McGuinness' free somehow ended up in the net, it changed the course of the game. Just as vital for Carrigallen, however, was the move of the match that ended with a goal for captain Andrew McManus. He started the move off and finished with a clinical efficiency that was missing from much of Carrigallen's forward play.

Coming just eight minutes from time, the goal was crucial. It put Carrigallen into a two point lead and despite their best efforts, Drumreilly were never going to break down a resilient Carrigallen defence, led by the excellent David Flynn. Flynn deservedly won the Man of the Match award with a great display. After a bad start when James Holohan got away from him to win a penalty, Flynn never let him escape again and dominated the centre of the defence with interception after interception.

Flynn was greatly aided by the numbers of team mates getting back to help as the likes J.P. and Andrew McManus, Noel Doonan and Cliff Richardson made just as big a contribution to victory in defence as in attack. Mick Tighe, Noel Nash and keeper Enda Lyons were all solid while upfront, Ray Reilly, the McManus brothers, Ciaran Flynn, Charles McGuinness and Benny O'Rourke all worked their socks off.

For Drumreilly, Declan Maxwell played in spurts but those spurts were spectacular and almost won the game. Some of his points were truly exceptional and you couldn't fault his effort. Corner-backs Ciaran and Damien Holohan worked their socks off and the injury to Damien early in the second half had to be another factor in their loss. John McKeon, Olly Maguire and Pat Donohue all had their moments but could never escape the clutches of their Carrigallen opponents, who simply never stopped harrying and hounding them.

Drumreilly got off to a perfect start - after an O'Rourke free was fisted across their goal, Drumreilly went down the field where John McKeon's pass put James Holohan through on goal. The speedster was brought down at the expense of a penalty after he was tripped. Declan Maxwell ensured Enda Lyons was a helpless spectator as he put the keeper the wrong way on three minutes. However, the men in blue did settle when Charles McGuinness converted a free on six minutes after a foul on Terence Reynolds. However, the feeling that Drumreilly were in control early on was re-inforced by two Olly Maguire frees, one after a high foul on James Holohan.

The tit for tat nature of the contest continued as Benny O'Rourke fired over a free on 18 minutes while Ray Fee took a pass from Maxwell to score a fine point. Carrigallen were coming back into the game but had some bad misses from Noel Doonan (also carded for a foul on James Holohan) and Charles McGuinness. However, Drumreilly did have a let-off when Andrew McManus beat keeper Mick McGirl to the punch a high ball, only for Ciaran Holohan to prevent the ball from crossing the line. McGuinness pulled back a free from a tight angle before Enda Lyons punched a dangerous Fee shot clear and Pat Donoghue got a yellow card. However, the game changed completely three minutes into injury time. McGuinness' 30 yard free dropped short and despite appearing to have it covered, the ball went off the hands of keeper Mick McGirl and into the net for a cruel blow to Drumreilly.

That left the sides level at 1-3 apiece at the break and the deadlock continued until the seventh minute of the second half as both sides hit wides. That ended when Andrew McManus finished off a move with an excellent point, after a move that started with David Flynn robbing a Drumreilly player in his own defence. Drumreilly again took the upper hand with Declan Maxwell scoring two truly exceptional points - he blasted a 50 yard free over the bar before he collected a quick free and fired over from 40 yards after 12 minutes. Carrigallen sub Ciaran Flynn scored a lovely point to level the scores but another massive Maxwell score on the run from the wing put Drumreilly back in front on 15 minutes.

Carrigallen, however, were pressing but were missing chances and Drumreilly looked to be holding out until Andrew McManus played a captain's role with a fantastic goal. McManus won a long ball out of defence and played a pass inside to Ciaran Flynn. Flynn drew the defence before passing inside to the now unmarked McManus and the captain made no mistake with a cool finish from a very tight angle on 22 minutes. That left Carrigallen two points up but after both sides missed frees, Olly Maguire ensured the tension levels were raised even higher when he pointed a free after Pat Donohue was fouled following a throw-ball.

But Carrigallen were not to be denied as Drumreilly over-played the ball in defence and Ciaran Flynn swept over a marvellous point a minute later. There was still plenty of time but with both teams giving it everything, nobody could manage a further score and Carrigallen held out for a famous victory.

Carrigallen

Enda Lyons, Dermot Mulligan, David Flynn, Mick Tighe, Karl Ward, Noel Nash, Gary Reynolds, Cliff Richardson, Noel Doonan, Andrew McManus (1-1), Ray Reilly, J.P. McManus, Benny O'Rourke (0-1), Charles McGuinness (1-2), Terence Reynolds. Subs: Darren McGovern for O'Rourke (34 mins), Ciaran Flynn (0-2) for McGuinness (42 mins), Eamon O'Malley for J.P. McManus (58 mins).

Drumreilly

Mick McGirl, Damian Holohan, Francis Holohan, Ciaran Holohan, Nigel Maguire, John McKeon, Ollie Maguire (0-3), Pat Donohue, Ray Fee (0-1), Mick Holohan, Warren Maguire, Kevin Holohan, Declan Maxwell (1-3), James Holohan. Subs: Damon Maguire for K. Holohan (HT), Matthew Fee for D. Holohan (32 mins).

Referee: Tom Forde.