Steelstown’s strong first half performance against the breeze was enough to see them past a strong challenge from Drumsurn.

Both teams played better against the wind but a scoring burst of 1-5 by Steelstown in the second quarter effectively won this contest in the second game at Faughanvale.

Had Drumsurn played as well with the wind behind them as they did against it this would have been a much closer game at the end? The final margin of five points was probably a bit cruel on their overall efforts.

Steelstown were well organised in defence an immediately set about shadowing Drumsurn danger man Ciaran Mullan after the corner forward came close to getting a goal in the opening seconds.

Tony Ling stuck to him like glue any time the ex county player got the ball the Steelstown defence were around him like a swarm of bees. When he drifted out in the second half he did have some success and that included his team’s goal.

Aidan Cleary may have been wearing number 14 but that meant little in terms of position. He drifted out to the half back and midfield areas picking up the breaking ball and setting up move after move.

Drumsurn closed him down a bit more in the second half and with wing backs Christopher Harbinson and Paul Butcher pushing forward, the Steelstown defence did not enjoy the same comfort as they did in the opening half. The winners were more precise in their passing and with Aidan Cleary back they used the extra space to good advantage.

With a five point lead and the stiff wind to follow after the break they looked set for a big win but they became a bit over defensive and allowed Drumsurn to build from the back, but the St Matthew’s side were unfortunate in that Ryan Mullan and Ciaran Ferris, who had played exceptionally well in the first half, both picked up knocks that seemed to affect their play in the second.

Steelstown without regular defenders Paul O’Hea, Liam Heffernan and Michael Moore, were the faster team and in this regard Drumsurn struggled in some key areas, but they do not enjoy the luxury of a big panel like the winners.

Martin Dunne was excellent in the winners’ goals and for the goal that beat him he seemed to be bowled over as he went for the high ball.

Tony Ling was very impressive at full back while Neil Forrester and KevinLindsay worked well in the half back line. Darren McDaid and Stephen Mc Cauley had midfield control for long periods despite some high fielding by the opposing Damien Canning.

Daniel Jackson was superb in the first half but very quiet in the second while the Mc Cleary brothers and Ryan Devine gave the Drumsurn defence a lot of trouble.

Drumsurn were forced to drop Ryan Mullan back to midfield for the second half and this weakened their attack. After a ropey first half Cahir Mullan was excellent at full back in the second as were Paul Butcher, Dane Mullan and Christopher Harbinson at the back. Young Ciaran Ferris had a fine game and Ciaran Mullan got going when he moved to the half forward line.

Steelstown got a fright in the opening seconds when a long ball in from Damien Canning was picked up by Ciaran Mullan but Martin Dunne dived to block his effort. The ball fell kindly for Ryan Mullan who sent over the opening score.

Steelstown settled down and defended well before pushing forward for Daniel Jackson to convert a free. Stephen Cleary sent over another placed ball but an excellent Ryan Mullan effort from play tied the game up after ten minutes.

A minute later teenager Ciaran Ferris sent over a beauty put the villagers ahead again and on the quarter they were two ahead with a third point from play by Ryan Mullan.

Both teams missed chances until the 18th minute when the Drumsurn defence misjudged a Daniel Jackson free and Darran Mc Daid was left with the easiest of chances and he blasted to the net.

Now in front, the city slickers began to spray the ball about and inside two minutes the elusive Daniel Jackson hit over three long range points to open up a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.

Stephen Cleary had a shot blocked on the goal line before Drumsurn recovered their composure for Ciaran Ferris to leave just a goal between the teams.

Their was a delay after an injury to Ryan Mullan and when play resumed on the half hour Jackson hit his forth successive point from play.

He was also the provider for Mickey Mc Kinney who sent the Brian Ogs in with a handsome 1-07 to 0-05 interval lead and a strong wind in their sails for the second half.

Drumsurn started the second half with purpose and few adjustments in their line up and after five minutes they opened the scoring when Ciaran Mullan set up Matt Ferris from a short free.

After eight minutes keeper Dunne saved brilliantly from Paul Butcher and while the ball ended up in the back of the net the keeper had been fouled and a free out awarded.

Patrick Brennan missed an easy chance for Steelstown as they made a good break out of defence. They did get their first score of the half ten minutes in when the advancing Neil Forrester was fouled and Stephen Cleary restored the Brian Ogs five point lead.

Several Steelstown defenders were treading thin ice as they continually fouled the Drumsurn front men. Conan Doherty who played as withdrawn corner forward was yellow carded for a foul on Christopher and Ciaran Mullan pointed the free.

At the three quarter stage a great break out of defence ended with a Stephen Cleary point but three minutes later it was game on as Ciaran Mullan got his toe to a ball in the goalmouth and the score was now 1-09 to 1-07.

With the gap now down to two Steelstown decided to come out of the trenches again and began to push forward menacingly.

Ten minutes from the end of a dazzling move ended with a Darren Mc Daid point and that was quickly followed by a Stephen Cleary free and the gap was now a safe looking four points with seven minutes left.

Ciaran Ferris should have reduced the gap to three but he sliced his shot wide after having previously hit a post and as the game petered out Ryan Devine had the last say with a spectacular Steelstown point.

Drumsurn : Francis Chivers, Micheal Archibald, Cahir Mullan, Dane Mullan; Christopher Harbinson, Colm Feeney, Paul Butcher; Damien Canning, Ronan Mc Nicholl; Ryan Mullan (0-03), Martin Mullan, Ciaran Ferris (0-03), Matt Ferris (0-01), Pearse Mc Nickle, Ciaran Mullan (1-01,0-01 Free)

Subs : Michael Mc Gonigle for R Mc Nicholl (40), Eoin Ferris for C Feeney (55)