Larkin Steers Drom-Inch to County Football title
By Trevor Hassett
All roads led to Kilcommon on Saturday morning last for the final chapter of the County Under 14 B football final between Drom-Inch and Burgess. The mid champions were entering as slight favourites after defeating South champions Ardfinnan in the semi final.
Drom-Inch started brightly with a Brendan Larkin point after a lovely pass from Stevie Nolan after 3 minutes. Drom-Inch looked like they would rue all their missed chances as they kicked 4 wides in the next 15 minutes. Burgess registered their first score of the game from an Andrew Dunne free after 15 minutes. This score however did not stop the Drom-Inch dominance as they surged forward attack after attack but up until now could not make their possession count on the score board. A pointed Brendan Larkin free followed by a superb solo effort from Paul Kennedy which began with him picking the ball up deep inside his own half and played a neat one-two with Stevie Nolan before curling the ball over the ball. Another Brendan Larkin pointed free preceded some great attacking by Drom-Inch when Padraic Campion raced through on goal only to see his effort saved by a combination of Keith Mulqueen and the crossbar before Rory Kinane finished the rebound to the net right on the stroke of time. Drom-Inch won the kick out and Stevie Nolan pointed just on the stroke of half time. The referee Liam Hogan kept the whistle away from his mouth and play continued and Burgess came on the attack in search of a score to steady their nerve and their efforts were rewarded with a great strike from Andrew Dunne as he soloed through the Drom-Inch defence before finishing to the net. This Burgess goal left the game finely balanced despite all the Drom-Inch dominance in the first half and one could think that they would rue the 8 wides kicked in the first half.
Half Time Score Drom-Inch 1-5 Burgess 1-1
Brendan Larkin started the first half with a pointed free after Burgess defender was penalised for picking the ball off the ground. Drom continued their counter attacking play and were rewarded when Thomas Nolan launched a high ball in and Robert Long latched onto the break before cooling finishing his goal. This launched a major purple patch for Drom-Inch as they registered 3-1 in the next 15 minutes. The impressive Drom-Inch centre forward Brendan Larkin scoring 2 goals the first been the better of the pair after a great 50 yard run from the hard working corner back Colm Kinane and he then passed to Larking who rifled the ball to the net. Another pointed free from Larkin from a difficult angle stretched the lead further before a free from Brendan Larkin dropped in around the square before Robbie Long fisted the ball to the net. This was a cruel blow to the Burgess team as they tried hard to attack but met a very organised Drom-Inch defensive unit. Burgess still did not give up and came on the attack through Andrew Dunne as he weaved his way through the Drom-Inch before having his shot saved by Tomas O’Meara only for Adam Coady to finish for what would be a consolation score. As the game became a bit ragged in the final few minutes Drom-Inch registered further points from the potent attacking unit in Brendan Larkin (2), Robbie Long, Colm Kinane and Michael Connors.
Final Score Drom-Inch 5-12 Burgess 2-1
Drom-Inch with the aid of the breeze played the near “perfect” second half as they showed their ruthless streak notching up 4-7 with only 2 points coming from place balls. Brendan Larkin was the star of the show as everything that was good about their play came through him but he was not alone as this was a very well balanced team effort and even some of the subs who came on would not look out of place in the starting team. Midfielders Paul Kennedy and Thomas Nolan worked tirelessly through the game and the whole defensive unit who superbly and never allowed the Burgess forwards time on the ball and they dispossessed them on nearly every occasion. In the forwards Stevie Nolan and Robbie Long worked hard and took their scores well.
Burgess will feel disappointed after the way the game turned out but they all tried their very best and this team will come good again and will be back in more county finals in the coming years. Andrew Dunne tried tirelessly throughout the game and battled hard. He was assisted in the forwards by Conor Gill, while at the back Jamie Maxwell was always prominent and surged forward when he could. Keeper Keith Mulqueen was unlucky to concede a couple of the goals but can take heart from some very good saves especially a full length save to deny a certain goal.
Special word of praise must go to the Sean Treacy’s club for the excellent facilities and fantastic development work that has taken place in recent years.
Burgess
Keith Mulqueen, Lee Howard, Shane Griffin, Jack Maloney, Shane McCarthy, Jamie Maxwell, William Fogarty, Daniel Nevin, Liam Gillespie, Francis Munsterberg, Andrew Dunne, Conor Gill, Keith Nealon, Adam Coady, Aaron Quigley
Subs: Jack Gill for Munsterberg, Byron Cottam for Quigley
Drom-Inch
Tomas O Meara, Colm Kinane, Emmet Maloney, Ciaran Thorpe, Jamie Bergin, Kevin Aherne, Kevin Hassett, Paul Kennedy (Capt), Thomas Nolan, Robert Long, Brendan Larkin, Michael Connors, Stevie Nolan, Rory Kinane, Pauric Campion
Subs:Paul Hennessy for Ciaran Thorpe, Paul Carey for Pauric Campion, Paul Bergin for Stevie Nolan, Conor O’Meara for Jamie Bergin
