10/8/24 Denn 0-7 Drumgoon 0-6

Denn shade it against Drumgoon in tense opener.

 

Denn 7 Drumgoon 6

 

PAUL FITZPATRICK AT JIM SMITH PARK

 

DENN narrowly got the better Drumgoon in a poor-standard  intermediate opener Killinkere on Saturday

 

Last year’s finalists had a dis appointing league campaign, culminating in relegation to Division 3, and they won’t be happy with their performance here either, despite the win.

 

That said, Stephen Baxter’s side just about deserved They never trailed in the contest and did open a three point lead at one stage but found it hard to shake off a committed Drumgoon side who were well organised defensively but blunt up front on the day.

 

The pattern was established from the off as Denn held possession for a few minutes but couldn’t penetrate. The split five wides between them before the first score arrived in the 14th min when Bernard Gaffney threaded over after good work from Oisin Reilly. Gaffney, a keyman for Denn, would later go off injured five minutes before half-time. Barry Cooney levelled with a well-taken point after a good ball from Donal Keappock but Denn subsequently reeled off three in succession from the energetic Ben Conaty and a brace from Sean Donohoe, both laid on by his brother Thomas Edward.

 

A brilliantly-struck free from the right wing by Keith Fannin made it 0-4 to-0-2 at half-time,

 

Drumgoon  responded best with a hat-trick of points of their own. Fannin converted a free after a foul on Conal Farrell (listed midfield but playing close to goal) before Darragh Lynch scored with a looping left-footed effort which Conor Courtney turned over the bar.

 

And when Farrell latched on to a great pass from Gonor Moynagh and shovelled out for Fannin to register, Drumgoon were level at 0-5 apiece and had momentum on their side approaching the end of the third quarter.

 

But Denn weathered the storm. Their best forward on the day, Conaty, worked hard to earn a free and knocked it over and when Fannin uncharacteristically missed a close-range free, it gave Denn a boost.

 

Conaty sold two dummies and scored again off the left, a terrific effort, as the game ticked into injury time. Drumgoon piled on the pressure and were rewarded when captain Darren Lavery found Lynch for a converted mark to ensure a nervy finish but the Boyle Park men, who were aggrieved at what looked a harsh call against Dean Carroll late on, lacked the firepower to conjure up another score, despite exerting heavy pressure.

 

So, Denn hold on but they will need to get better, which won’t be easy, despite their potentially high ceiling, with Cavell Keogan and James Brady on the injured list and Bernard Gaffney potentially missing now too after going off with a knock to the head.

 

For Drumgoon, whose best finish since 2018 was eighth in the group five years ago, marked improvement will be needed in attack.

 

Drumgoon: Corey Smith, Euan Crossan, Killian Moynagh. Matthew McDermott, Donal Keappock, Conor Moynagh, Daragh Lynch (0-2, 1m), Darren Lavery, Conall Farrell, Barry Cooney (O-D. Keith Fannin (0-3.21), Shane Smith, Dominic Donegan, Dean Carroll, Dylan Hand

 

Subs: Dominic Donegan. Mick McDonald, Adrian McCluskey