Published Sunday, 23 October 2011
But they had to survive a storming second half revival from a Clonoe side that came from seven points behind to draw level.
There was drama inside the opening minute when referee Eamon McHugh went off with a knee injury and was replaced by linesman Eugene McConnell.
Dromore eased ahead with converted frees from skipper Eoin McCusker and Paddy Montague.
A Patrick Doris free gave Clonoe their only score of the opening 27 minutes. Midfielder Montague powered over the game's opening score from play in the 19th minute, and when McCusker collected Colm McCullagh's return pass to fire over an excellent point, they led by 0-4 to 0-1.
Dromore went in with a 0-6 to 0-3 interval lead, and went further ahead when Ryan McMenamin pushed forward from the back to split the posts.
And they struck for a goal in the 35th minute, a score that was to prove the catalyst for a pulsating second half.
Colm McCullagh was dispossessed, but the ball ran loose to McCusker, who rifled his shot low past Mickey O'Neill.
But Dromore were to score just one further point, pinned back for long stretches by a resurgent Clonoe side which battled for possession and chased down opponents with frenzied endeavour.
At seven points ahead, Dromore had looked comfortable, but when centre back Coney beat McCarron to a Patrick Doris delivery to shrug off two defenders and plant the ball in the net, the deficit was down to three.
And it was minor starlet Daniel McNulty who drilled home a brilliant second to level the tame with 10 minutes to play.
As the rain intensified, the endeavour from both sides did likewise, but it was Dromore who were able to produce the killer punch, teenager Niall Sludden floating over an immaculate winner two minutes from the end.