No separating Dunmore and St James's in the I.F.L. final

By NOEL CARNEY Dunmore MacHales 0-10 St. James's 0-10 DUNMORE MacHales, playing with great determination and self belief, were devastated to see [private]their dreams of victory in the County Intermediate (A) Football League final at Tuam Stadium last Saturday cruelly dashed by an injury time equaliser after they led St. James's by four points with less than a quarter of an hour to go. This was a much improved performance by Gerry Redington's men after a disappointing season prior to this game and while they know that they let victory be snatched from their grasp they will have another chance at redemption in the replay against the county and provincial championship double winners. The MacHales however should not get too carried away of course as they were playing against a below par outfit that started without some first choice players including Conor Glynn, Michael McCormack and Alan O'Donnell. It must be remembered too that the Galway city side may have been less psyched up than usual as they come to the end of an unforgettable year for the club that has seen them clinch promotion to senior football. Nevertheless there was much to admire in this Dunmore display but they must not let their good work be undone by poor form in the replay. St. James's, unbeaten in both League and Championship all year in the county, will want to end the year on a high and after this close shave they will not want to slip up in their final outing of a glorious 2010. The Mervue-Renmore-Ballybane combination got off to a great start and they seemed to have the Dunmore lads in trouble towards the end of the opening quarter when they led 0-4 to 0-1 but three excellent points in a four-minute spell by Damien Redington, Martin Cleary and David Cronin tied the match and also boosted the morale of the MacHales and their followers. From there to the finish they more than matched their city opponents. St. James's too, deserve credit for their tenacity. When defeat stared them in the face they refused to panic and dug deep into their reserves of self-belief as champions usually do. With admirable resolve and assurance they calmly but systematically built length of the field moves and patiently worked the ball forward until they were within shooting distance. Four crucial points in a tense finale was their reward and they copper-fastened their place in the replay by holding Dunmore scoreless in the last twenty minutes. A bright start by the Galway city lads may have lulled them into a false sense of security with Eoin Concannon (free), Seamie Rabbitte, Mark Kelly and Sean Donnellan all getting on the score-sheet early on with the experienced Vincent Martyn pointing at the other end after fielding a Martin Cleary delivery. Then came the Dunmore purple patch that levelled it at 0-4 each and even though Eoin Concannon edged the Saints ahead again from another free and Sean Donnellan saw a great effort rebound off an upright, Dunmore were now fired up and further well taken scores by Damien Redington â€â€ a beauty kicked on the run â€â€ and Declan Rattigan gave Gerry Redington's men a 0-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break. When they changed ends Dunmore were playing into the 'scoring goal' and they endorsed that theory when former Galway All-Ireland winning minor hero Redington drove over two fine frees that gave them a 0-8 to 0-5 lead. St James's were frustrated to see a superb 'point' from way out on the right wing by Paul Conroy controversially ruled out because a team mate was in the square but their next score, a free converted by Eoin Concannon after the lively Seán Donnellan was fouled made up for their disappointment. The MacHales were dominating proceedings in many sectors against a faltering St. James's and when Damien Redington drove over another free and then kicked a super point from play it was 0-10 to 0-6 with 13 minutes gone in the second half. However Dunmore failed to add to that tally in the time remaining despite plenty of chances and ultimately it cost them the match. St James's, with their pride at stake suddenly realised that their long unbeaten run was in danger- they only tasted defeat this year in the competition formerly known as the Sweeney Oil Cup- and slowly but surely they started to get on top. County final Man of the Match Tommy Walsh lifted them by converting a 45 and Seamie Rabbitte landed one from play after a patient build-up. Galway senior star Eoin Concannon saw his clever lobbed effort held by goalkeeper Robbie Byrne but Paul Conroy cut the margin to the minimum with a tremendous effort from far out and with the MacHales defence under increasing pressure it was almost inevitable that an equaliser would come. It duly arrived following a length of the field passing move that ended with Sean Donnellan driving over to make it ten points apiece. Both sides stepped on the gas in a frenetic finish that was in complete contrast to most of the game. Jonathan Duane broke up a threatening Dunmore attack in time added on at one end while Denis Fallon did likewise when St. James's counter-attacked before referee Noel Dempsey's final whistle ended the action with the teams deadlocked. It will be interesting to see if Dunmore can build on this hard earned draw or will they feel that their chance is gone. Much will depend on the attitude of St James's who were excellent at times but quite sluggish at others. No doubt about it the championship winners got out of jail here and it was they who were the more relieved outfit at the finish. This was an erratic display by St. James's but their half-backs Jamie Burke , Jonny Duane and Tommy Walsh were top class while Alan Deacy, Paul Conroy, Mark Kelly, Eoin Concannon, Seán Donnellan and Seamie Rabbitte all had their moments. For Dunmore the tenacious Paul Gleeson, Kieran and Brian Redington, Denis Fallon, Martin Cleary, David Cronin, Declan Rattigan, Vinny Martyn and top scorer Damien Redington were best. Dunmore MacHales: R. Byrne; K. Redington, P. Gleeson, D. Fallon, D. Mullin, B. Bowens, B. Redington;  M. Cleary (0-1), A. Fallon; D. Cronin (0-1), J. O'Toole, D. Comer; D. Rattigan (0-1), V. Martyn (0-1), D. Redington (0-6, three frees). Sub: J. Flaherty for Comer 26 mins. St. James's: J. Egan; S. Boyle, A. Deacy, P. Hickey; J. Burke, J. Duane, T. Walsh (0-1, a 45); P. Conroy (0-1), M. Kelly (0-1); A. Connolly, E. Concannon (0-3, all frees), S. Donnellan (0-2); P. Ryan, M. Elwood, S. Rabbitte (0-2). Subs: E. O'Regan for Ryan 12mins, M. McCormack for Connolly 14 mins, A. Hanley for Elwood 27 mins. Referee: Noel Dempsey (Mountbellew-Moylough). Herald Sports Man of the Match: Damien Redington (Dunmore MacHales).[/private]