Drumree ease past Donaghmore/Ashbourne and advance to IHC final

Drumree 1-17

Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-2

In tough conditions, Drumree came out well on top and comfortably defeated Donaghmore/Ashbourne in the IHC semi-final. The men in red and white made the most of the wind advantage in the first half and racked up scores early. In the second-half Donahgmore/Ashbourne failed to take advantage of their turn with the wind at their backs and only registered a one point in the second 30 minutes. Drumree looked far hungrier and deservedly booked their spot in the IHC semi-final. Drumree’s forwards were on song and in particular, Josh Wall caused the Donaghmore / Ashbourne full back line a lot of issues.

Keelan Taylor kicked off the proceedings with a good score before David Reilly kickstarted his tally with a free. Donaghmore/Ashbourne’s first opportunity came when Michael O’Sullivan played a lovely ball to Davin Jones. Jones’ shot on goal was blocked and the Drumree defence did well to manage the scramble that ensued and clear their lines.

Josh Wall opened his account before a mistake from a puckout allowed Wall and Sean Kilcoyne to link up beautifully before Kilcoyne buried the sliotar to the back of the Donaghmore /Ashbourne net. After only four minutes of play, Drumree led by 1-3 to no score. Further points from Reilly and Wall extended that lead to eight.

Donaghmore Ashbourne were having no luck in creating chances and even when they did, they were struggling to get anywhere near the target. Eventually, after 18 minutes of play, Michael O’Sullivan was fouled inside the rectangle and Donaghmore /Ashbourne were awarded a penalty. Keeper Ben Mather stepped up to the plate and slotted it home to get Donaghmore Ashbourne up and running on the scoreboard.

Keelan Taylor and Niall Gavin responded for Drumree with some well-taken scores before O’Sullivan pulled one back with a free. A few moments later a long ball in from Shaun Byrne was well gathered by O’Sullivan and he buried the sliotar expertly to the back of the Drumree net.

There were now only three points between the sides and the Donaghmore/Ashbourne support could be heard in full voice for the first time in the contest. David Reilly settled the ship for Drumree right before the halftime whistle with his third free. The sides went in at the break with Drumree leading 1-8 to 2-1.

Having slightly taken the foot off the pedal in the closing stages of the opening 30 minutes, Drumree came out in the second half with intent, and straightaway Keelan Taylor stretched their lead to five before Reilly sent over another free to extend the gap further.

Reilly rattled off two further scores from play as Drumree looked to kick on and put the game to bed early on in the third quarter. Michael O’Sullivan saw his opportunity for a second goal saved by Drumree keeper Ronan Gilsenan before Karl Rogers and Wall sent Drumree further into the distance on the scoreboard.

Heading into the last 15 minutes of the contest Drumree held a comfortable 10-point advantage. Sean Byrne pulled one back for the men in green and white but that score was quickly cancelled out by a lovely move that saw some great link-up play between Wall and Rogers before Reilly slotted over for his seventh of the afternoon.

Wall had been causing issues all game for Donaghmore /Ashbourne and he capped off a fine afternoon’s work with a fine score from a distance into the wind. Wall then set up Mark Devaney who completed Drumree’s tally. Given the weather conditions that they were faced with Drumree were very impressive on the day are fully deserving of their IHC final spot where they will take on Navan O’Mahonys in two weeks.

Drumree – Ronan Gilsenan; Paul Walsh, Keith Rooney, Gavin Byrne; Aidan Fraher, Kevin Bawle, Gareth Rooney; Paul Briody, Niall Gavin; Karl Rogers (0-1), David Reilly (0-7, four frees), Keelan Taylor (0-3); Sean Kilcoyne (1-0), Josh Wall (0-4), Mark Devaney (0-1). Subs – James Reilly for Kilcoyne 47m, Kavin Hally for Devaney 52m, Odhran O’Riordan for Taylor 59m.

Donaghmore / Ashbourne – Ben Mather (1-0, one penalty); Daragh Walsh, Fionnan Hogan, Cian Field; Faolan Smyth, Sam Benville, Rhys Thomas; Oisin Daly, Shaun Byrne (0-1); Colm O Mealoid, Luke Andrews, Andrew Tormey; Davin Jones, Sean O’Sullivan, Michael O’Sullivan (1-1, one free). Eoin Breathnach for Andrews 37m, Tom Ryan for Walsh 39m, Evan O’Kane for Jones 49m, Dylan Morrissey for F Hogan 53m, Killian Hogan for Tormey 57m.