Shane Devine looks for options during the Ulster Club League game
Templeport………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2-09
Drumragh………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-10
Drumragh seniors got the club’s year off to a winning start with a 2-10 to 2-9 victory over Templeport in the Ulster Club League in Bawnboy, Co Cavan this morning.
They had to withstand a late rally from the home side but they deservedly claimed the two points after a good performance.
Having kicked a few early wides, Drumragh went in front when Martin Taggart fielded a long ball in from Gareth Haughey and fired the ball low to the back of the net. It was a lead that they would never lose. Shane Cleary hit an excellent score to put them further ahead before Martin took the first forward mark in the club’s history, kicking the following free over the bar.
Drumragh were playing very well early on, winning a lot of ball around midfield. However, they struggled to turn possession into scores, kicking a number of wides and turning the ball over while in good positions.
Templeport’s only response in this period was from a pointed free as Gareth, Eoin McGread and Paddy Colgan in the Drumragh defence made a number of timely interceptions and blocks to protect the lead.
Further points from Benny Drumm, Barry Fitzgerald, Shane and Martin put Drumragh into a strong position but a Templeport goal late in the half followed by another converted free left the half-time score 1-7 to 1-2 in favour of Drumragh.
Shane Cleary on the attack for Drumragh
Drumragh got off to the perfect start in the second half when Shane Devine and Malachy McManus set up Shane Cleary for a well-taken goal. The sides swapped the next four scores with Sean McGale, all the way up from full-back, and substitute Darragh O’Kane on target for Drumragh.
Conditions got a little bit more difficult as the second half went on and both defences began to get on top. After a while, Templeport ate into the lead with a couple of good scores but Barry responded at the other end with a point from play. That would be Drumragh’s last score of the game.
Templeport finished the game very strongly and hit 1-4 in a short period of time to leave it a one-point game. They had chances too to equalise but goalkeeper Paul Maguire and substitute Mark Carroll came up with a couple of important clearances and Drumragh held on for a good win.
Scorers: Martin Taggart 1-2, Shane Cleary 1-2, Benny Drumm 0-2, Barry Fitzgerald 0-2, Sean McGale 0-1, Darragh O’Kane 0-1
Team: Paul Maguire, Micheal Mullin, Sean McGale, Eoin McGread, Cormac Norris, Paddy Colgan, Barry Fitzgerald, Benny Drumm, Eamonn McCann, Gareth Haughey, Lee Brown, Shane Devine, Shane Cleary, Malachy McManus, Martin Taggart
Subs: Barry Kirwan, Darragh O’Kane, James Broderick, Mark Carroll, Conor Breen, Ciaran Donaghey, Paddy Roche
Eoin McGread tackles a Templeport player
