Late Gumley point earns Ballinagh a draw in poor intermediate decider

The eagerly looked forward to Cavan IFC final between Ballinagh and Drumalee at Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan on Sunday last, 8th of October proved something of a ’damp squib’, as both sides struggled to find their true form, and ended in a draw 0-7 apiece.

The big attendance present were treated to a game that lacked any real pattern or excitement and both sides will be hoping to redeem themselves in the replay on Sunday next, 15th of October at the same venue at 3.30 p.m.
Drumalee with the wind at their backs in the opening half dominated play, but lacked real penetration in front of goal and at the break they were ahead by 0-5 to 0-4. The only real excitement for the crowd present was when a flare-up took place as the players made their way to the dressing-rooms when there were scuffles leading to the tunnel, but thankfully order was quickly restored.

Ballinagh were in a good position at the start of the second-half and their supporters were expecting a vast improvement in their play. Alas, it was not to be as both sides continued to struggle with their game, and scores were hard to come by at both ends.

Ballinagh as expected dominated the possession stakes in this half but they seemed to panic in front of goals. With a minute remaining in the game, Drumalee were awarded a long-range free which to the jubilation of the big Drumalee following county senior player, Mickey Brennan pointed. Now Ballinagh were in real trouble but to their credit they battled back and a free kick by Anthony Gaynor was sent to Colin Gumley who tapped over the bar and give his side a deserved share of the spoils.

Ballinagh has a chance in the dying minute to take the spoils but an effort by Colin Gumley went narrowly wide, and the sides have it all to do next Sunday – when hopefully the standard of football will show a vast improvement. Indeed, such was the poor fare on Sunday, that it made the senior decider the previous Sunday look good. Indeed, with the exception of the minor final, and the drawn junior decider, finals at the Kingspan Breffni Park venue this season have been disappointing to say the least.

Ballinagh – Daragh McCarthy; Anthony Duffy, Conor Brady, Niall O’Reilly; Padraic O’Reilly, Anthony Gaynor (0-1), Damien McInerney (0-1); Pauric Maguire, Cian McDermott; Terry Smith (0-1), Enda Brady, David Finnegan; Colin Gumley (0-3), Adrian Maguire, Paul Galligan (0-1).
Subs – Ruairi Brennan for Terry Smith; Alan Durkin for Adrian Maguire.

Drumalee – James Heffernan; Sean Lee, Bernard Young (0-1), Daire Donohoe; Brendan Smith, Enda McCormick, Gary Ferncombe (0-1); Michael Brennan (0-1), Shane Donoghoe; Kevin Donohoe (0-1), Gary Malone, Kevin Gavigan; Finbar Donoghue, Daragh Gaffney (0-3), Trevor Molloy.
Sub – Micheal Lee for Trevor Molloy.
Referee – M. G. Brady, Mullahoran.

10/10/06