2-11 from Séamus Callanan helps Drom-Inch defeat Moycarkey-Borris after extra time
LEADING THE WAY: Séamus Callanan was the talk of Thurles after hauling 2-11, including 2-3 from play. Pic: Sport Focus
Comeback kings Drom & Inch hailed their fitness work after producing a sensational seven-goal turnaround to overhaul a seven-point deficit against Moycarkey-Borris in an extra-time epic at Semple Stadium.
The four survivors from Drom’s sole county title in 2011 turned this Tipperary SHC quarter-final. Séamus Callanan was the talk of Thurles after hauling 2-11, including 2-3 from play. Super-sub David Butler netted twice. David Collins and Johnny Ryan played key roles in the avalanche of goals.
“Those lads are just incredible. They're around so many years now, but they're so fresh,” said manager Matthew Buckley.
“They still have a lot more to give. If we’d have lost today, that wouldn't have been their last day out. Those lads have another couple of years to give for Drom hurling.
“It's great that they're there to bed in the youth that's coming through. It's a big help to those younger lads.
“We always know that there's no game out of our reach. The fitness work those boys have done has been incredible. Sixty minutes, 80 minutes, it makes no difference.”
They have proved that much twice in one week after reeling in an eight-point deficit in the preliminary quarter-final against Clonoulty-Rossmore.
Incredibly, they had four goals off the bench here, with Jamie Bergin and Jack Lillis also netting.
Their fifth goal was a sensational effort to kill off Moycarkey’s resistance. Cormac Fitzpatrick’s catch and Ryan’s angled pass created the opportunity. It was finished off with a pair of outrageous one-handed strokes. Butler’s reverse flick through his legs found Callanan, who was knocked to the ground. Lying on his back, he swung the sliotar into Rhys Shelly’s top corner.
Five weeks had passed since Eddie Brennan’s Moycarkey side secured their quarter-final berth. They dispelled any early notions of rustiness with a goal inside 30 seconds through Jack Hayes.
Joe Egan tacked on a point before laying on a second goal chance for Kieran Cummins. The county panellist drove just wide.
Defenders Robbie Long and Podge Campion landed long-range settlers for Drom, but Stephen Walsh struck one in return.
The scoring rate slowed as the intensity rose in a low-key first half. Shelly slotted a huge placed ball, and his pinpoint puck-outs continued to create opportunities. Max Hackett was next to benefit for a 1-7 to 0-3 lead.
Drom hit back with three in a row before some late drama. Paudie Kinane was denied an equalising goal by Shelly, who set up the counter to David Costigan for a four-point swing.
Kieran Morris’s fourth free made it 1-10 to 0-8 at half-time, and they added the opening pair of the second half.
It all changed with a 3-6 to 0-2 streak into the breeze between the 38th and 48th minutes. Points from Fintan Purcell, Collins, and Fitzpatrick sparked the momentum shift.
As Moycarkey disputed a point waved wide, Drom took a quick puck-out. Callanan slipped his marker and a covering defender to arrow into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
The former Tipp captain converted the next free to level for the first time; 1-13 apiece.
In the 46th minute, they had a second. Eoin Collins’ free broke for Fitzpatrick to pull to the net. Within 60 seconds, the third arrived. David Collins’ blocked shot fell perfectly for Butler to whip under Shelly with another ground stroke. Fitzpatrick’s juggling point made it 3-14 to 1-14.
Drom lost their momentum with seven consecutive wides. Moycarkey got their running game going again. Eoin Collins stood up well to save from Costigan, but Moycarkey hit six in a row. Substitutes Jack Fallon and Killian Cantwell pointed. Shelly’s second free levelled.
Drom pushed on through Long and Callanan points. Sixty seconds remained. Morris tapped a free over. Moycarkey won the puck-out and Fallon nailed a clutch leveller. 3-16 to 1-22 at full-time.
Moycarkey edged two clear in extra-time before the goal onslaught resumed. David Collins caught the sliotar and laid off for Butler to roll home.
Callanan landed an inspirational point before finishing the goal to break Moycarkey. They led 5-20 to 1-25 at the change of ends.
It was exhibition stuff for the remainder. Callanan scored off the hurley. His sublime set-up play assisted a David Collins point.
Bergin goaled with his first touch after another Collins catch. Then, Lillis got in behind for the seventh green flag.
Nenagh Éire Óg stand between them and a first county final in 13 years.
S Callanan (2-11, 0-8 frees); D Butler (2-0); C Fitzpatrick (1-3); J Bergin, J Lillis (1-0 each); R Long, D Collins (0-2 each); F Purcell, M Conroy, P Campion, C Cahill, P Kinane (0-1 each).
: K Morris (0-12, 9 frees, 1 65); J Hayes (1-2); R Shelly (2 frees), D Costigan, K Cantwell, J Fallon (0-2 each); S Walsh, K Cummins, M Hackett, J Egan, B Flanagan, P Molloy (0-1 each).
: E Collins; M Conroy, K Hassett, E Kennedy; F Purcell, R Long, P Campion (capt); L Campion, C Cahill; S Callanan, D Collins, J Campion; P Kinane, John Ryan, C Fitzpatrick.
: Johnny Ryan for Kinane (37), D Butler for John Ryan (37), M Campion for C Cahill (48), J Lillis for Purcell (68), J Bergin for Fitzpatrick (77, inj), C Cahill for Long (78, inj).
: R Shelly; K Hayes, T Ryan (capt), S Walsh; P Molloy, E Hayes, T Hayes; R Darmody, K Cummins; D Costigan, J Egan, M Hackett; J Hayes, B Flanagan, K Morris.
: J Fallon for Darmody (45), K Cantwell for Molloy (51), K Shelly for Hackett (60+1), P Melbourne for Cummins (66, inj), Hackett for Costigan (72), S Hayes for T Hayes (73).
: C Doyle (Silvermines).
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