Universal Graphics JFC Group 1 Round 5
16/9/23
Drumhowan 0-10 Blackhill 0-8
Drumhowan finished top of Group 1 of the JFC after a narrow win away to Blackhill on Saturday.
Both teams have long since qualified for the quarter finals but there was still an edge to a scrappy encounter that produced all of 57 frees)32 for Blackhill), as Drumhowan did enough to see out the group with their unbeaten record intact, giving them top seeding for the last eight, where they will be fancied to see off Oram.
Blackhill threatened to turn it around with a late rally, but with the Emeralds ‘ key forwards having been nullified for most of the game, which saw both sides keep their third clean sheet out of four, Drumhowan edged their way to an 11th win of the season.
Blackhill were quickly on the scoreboard through Philip Donnelly, but they would have to wait all of 26 minutes for their second point, by which stage they had trailed by four. A well taken score from a tight angle by Liam Mc Guirk got Drumhowan off the mark, before an Aodhan Brennan free handed them a lead they would maintain to the end. A well timed shoulder by Ciaran Duffy started a counter attack, that saw Killian Mc Adam show a clear pair of heels to the home defence on his way to landing a fine point, before a brace by Aiden Quinn(one from a free) stretched Drumhowan’s lead.
Drumhowan saw the in form Kevin Mooney black carded for grappling with Hugh Byrne, before a heavy challenge on Donal Courtney allowed Donnelly to tap over a free that ended Blackhill’s lengthy scoring drought. Surging runs by Caolán Reilly and Daragh Mc Elearney saw the latter earn a free that saw Quinn make it 0-6 to 0-2 in Drumhowan’s favour at the break and they went five up when a counter ended with a point from Ciaran Duffy.
Blackhill hit on the break for a point by James Daly and they then put together the move of the game for a great score by Darren Mc Elroy although the hosts needed a smart save by Michael Shevlin to deny Owen Quinn a goal that would have doubled their deficit. Quick hands by Dónal and Ciaran Courtney released Byrne to make it a two point game but a forward mark by John Paul O’ Neill ended 18 scoreless minutes for Drumhowan, who quickly added a point from the left flank by Mc Guirk.
Brennan and Donnelly swapped points from frees, before the latter teed up Tommy Geehan for a a shot on goal that was deflected by Rónán Duffy, with Niall Donnelly’s rebound being blocked by Conor Curran for a 45 that was converted by Mc Elroy. There was late drama as Philip Donnelly eked out a goal chance in added time, but Drumhowan’s defenders once again put their bodies on the line to snuff out the danger, leaving Blackhill having to settle for a point by Niall Donnelly.
Both teams are in quarter final action this weekend, with Drumhowan facing Oram on Saturday and Blackhill up against Scotstown on Sunday.
Drumhowan: Enda Duffy, Conor Curran, Daragh Mc Elearney, Niall Duffy, Darren Duffy, Patrick Quinn, Owen Quinn, Caolan Reilly, John Paul O’ Neill o-1 (1M) Ciaran Duffy 0-1, Aodhán Brennan 0-2(2f), Kevin Mooney, Aiden Quinn 0-3 (2f), Liam Mc Guirk 0-2, Killian Mc Adam 0-1 Subs: Joseph Duffy for JP O’ Neill (5o mins), Gerard Quinn for Ciaran Duffy (54), Ronan Duffy for Darren Duffy (55), Tiarnan Reilly for Caolan Reilly (inj 56) Jason Clark for Liam Mc Guirk (57) Temporary Sub Joseph Duffy for Patrick Quinn (1-7 mins)
