Drumragh U16 girls before their game against Aghyaran on Sunday morning
Drumragh U16 girls bowed out of the championship after a hard-fought encounter away to Aghyaran on Sunday morning.
It was a good performance from Drumragh who can count themselves unfortunate to not have progressed to the next round.
The home side got off to a quick start and registered two goals and a point on the scoreboard early on. The Drumragh defence had to work hard to stop Aghyaran from stretching out their lead. A brave block from Genevieve Norris and interceptions from Mia Feeney and Cara Kerlin prevented them from scoring.
Drumragh got on the scoreboard from Caoimhe McCarron, who kicked a nice point after clever play from Fionnuala Barrett and Fianna McGuigan. Caoimhe scored again not long after following good play from Rihanna Mullin, Dana Coyle and Emma McCloskey.
Goalkeeper Chloe McGale was always finding a Drumragh player with her kickouts. And from one of those kickouts, a brilliant pass from Rihanna Mullin found Caoimhe McCarron in a bit of space and she put over a wonderful point from distance.
Mairead Corrigan and Lily O’Kane came through with a couple of important turnovers in the full-back line as Aghyaran looked to take back control of the game. They had to settle for a couple of points with Grace McCusker, Cara Kerlin and Fionnuala Clarke putting the Aghyaran forward line under constant pressure.
Drumragh were really starting to come into the game with Rihanna Mullin and Rihanna Barrett’s ability to win the ball under pressure setting up a number of attacks. From one of those attacks, Emma McCloskey did well to create a goal chance which was brilliantly saved by the Aghyaran goalkeeper.
Fionnuala Barrett won the ball back and her run upfield was ended illegally, allowing Caoimhe McCarron to send the ball over the bar from a placed ball.
Drumragh captain Caoimhe McCarron with the Aghyaran captain and referee before the start of the game
Drumragh made a confident start to the second half. Rihanna Mullin opened the scoring with a great point, and they nearly got a goal when Dana Coyle won the ball at midfield, went on a terrific run through the heart of the Aghyaran defence and crashed a shot against the post. It was a brilliant effort.
Aghyaran kicked the next two scores but the Drumragh response was good, helped by the introduction of a number of subs.
Genevieve Norris and Lily O’Kane combined for Rihanna Barrett to score a brilliant point, with Rihanna Mullin quickly adding another. Caoimhe McCarron converted a free after good pressure from Amy-Lee Burt and Mia Feeney created the turnover.
The game was end-to-end. Grace McCusker, Anna Clarke and Fionnuala Clarke continued to defend well while Dana Coyle and Caoimhe McCarron (2) were on target for Drumragh.
Drumragh needed a goal with time almost up and continued good play created a couple of chances. However, the Aghyaran goalkeeper stood tall with a couple of fantastic saves, allowing her side to move on to the semi-final, despite an excellent display from Drumragh.
SCORERS: Caoimhe McCarron 0-7, Rihanna Mullin 0-2, Dana Coyle 0-1, Rihanna Barrett 0-1
TEAM: Chloe McGale, Lily O’Kane, Genevieve Norris, Fianna McGuigan, Fionnuala Clarke, Cara Kerlin, Fionnuala Barrett, Mia Feeney, Mairead Corrigan, Dana Coyle, Caoimhe McCarron, Rihanna Barrett, Genevieve Norris, Emma McCloskey, RIhanna Mullin
SUBS: Amy-Lee Burt, Jemma Barrett, Cora Walsh, Oonagh Pancott, Caitlyn McCarron, Caitlyn Gallagher, Cara McManus, Mollie Starrs, Anna Clarke
