SKELLIG RANGERS 0-12
DRUMHOWAN 0-8
DROMHOWAN set out their stall early on with with fast direct running,with Christoper Mcginnity fisting over after a great scything run. The Monaghan lads were obviously fit,fast and hungry. Skellig held firm, with Wayne O’ Sullivan keeping a strong lock on much-vaunted dangermen McElroy, and Stephen O’ Sullivan simply winning everything that came his way.
Aidan O Sullivan fired into converted full forward Brian Hickey- a masterstroke by Paul Murphy for their opening score and Stephen picked out the same player, who was dragged down.
Minor Bernard Casey stepped up to the biggest kick of his career to date like Tiger Woods strolling onto the putting green and Skellig were never again led on the scoreboard.The dangerous Gerard Duffy slotted a neat free himself for Dromhowan but Casey nailed his second with equal aplomb. 0-3 to 0-2. The next score was a while in coming with both sides closing down hard.
Referee Maurice Condon made allowances for the wet but immaculate surface and the absence of malice and let the borderline ones go. Gerard Duffy in the 17th minute hit a good score to level again but they weren’t making much headway against a tireless Skellig defence, while the Kerrymen, despite hitting six wides in the half, had expert safecrackers at the other end.
Gary O’ Driscoll, back from injury and better than ever, restored the lead and a narrow beauty from John O’Driscoll made it 0-5 to 0-3. James McElroy opened his account after winning a free but Chris ‘Driscoll coolly notched a point and then Seamus O’Sullivan burst up for an inspirational score. McElroy landed a long free to make it 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time.
Dromhowan came out blazing again, with McElroy and the excellent Kevin Mooney trimming the gap to a point. But Skellig rose instantly and impressively to the gauntlet, reeling off four rapid points from Casey, Chris O’ Driscoll, a superb kick from Daniel O’Sullivan and then another sublime Gary O’ Driscoll score 0-12 to 0-7. It was up to Dromhowan to somehow wrest control back with substitute Rodney Mooney kickstarting a revival. They had romped through their Ulster campaign, but Skellig had the physique and fitness to stay with them all the way and a slightly higher gear.
BRAVELY
They dropped back a bit. showing cool heads and let Dromhowan batter themselves against resolute bodies. The Monaghan side landed dangerous bombs on the defenders heads, but this was where Aidan ‘Dash’ O’Sullivan proved to be a bridge too far – four dangerous balls in, four mighty fetches and the towering midfielder clearing his lines every time.
Kevin Martin with a great shoulder superbly and cleanly charged a Liam McGuirk burst neatly over the sideline to a huge Skellig roar- a minute later Dromhowan’s frustrated full back was walking on a second yellow.
There was still time for one last foray, Dermot McDermott launching one last heatseeker into the Skellig square where Michael Brennan was bravely manning his line despite shipping a heavy knock …and there was Dash rising yet again, and there was the final whistle.
Teams and Scorers
Skellig Rangers
Michael Brennan, Brian O’Sullivan, Wayne O’Sullivan, Colm Martin, Kevin Martin, Colin O’Sullivan, Seamus O’Sullivan (0-1), Stephen O’Sullivan, Aidan O’Sullivan, Daniel O’Sullivan (0-1), Chris 0’Driscoll (0-1), John ‘Driscoll (0-1), Bernard Casey (0-3, 3f), Brian Hickey (0-1), Gary O Driscoll (0-2). Subs Paul McGill (for John O’ Driscoll, 42 mins).
Dromhowan
Enda Duffy, Darren Duffy, Liam McGuirk, Martin McElroy, Damien Duffy, Niall Mooney, Kevin Mooney (0-1), Enda McElroy, Dermot McDermott, Christopher McGinnity (0-1), Stephen McGinnity, Colm Lambe, Gerard Duffy (0-2, 1f), James McElroy (0-3, 3f), Kieran Mooney. Subs Paddy Mulligan (for Martin McElroy, half-time), Rodney Mooney 0(for Colm Lambe, 43 mins), David Miller (for Kieran Mooney, 48 mins), Paddy Duffy (for Enda McElroy, 52 mins).
Referee: Maurice Condon, Waterford.
MAN OF THE MATCH
STEPHEN O’SULLIVAN
Team: Skellig Rangers
Position: Midfield
Comments: Skellig had fifteen contenders after a comprehensive display, with Wayne O’Sullivan, Kevin Martin, Gary 0 Driscoll, and Aidan O’Sullivan’s second half tour de force standing out. But in truth Stephen O’Sullivan was simply untouchable with an awesome performance, leading the way from start to finish
Skellig Rangers GAA 