Drumragh Sarsfields commenced their All County League campaign on Saturday with a short trip to St Mary’s Park, Beragh and came away with a point.
Played in tough underfoot conditions, flowing football was always going to be at a premium and so it proved. The Sarsfields got off to a great start when Lee Brown fired to the net following an excellent catch and offload from Adie Colton after 5 minutes. Beragh struck back immediately when Pete Meehan pointed from long range and Martin Rodgers pointed shortly after.
Shane Cleary restored a two point advantage following good work from Eamon Rea before an excellent save from James Colgan maintained the Sarsfields two point advantage. Further points from Cleary and Colton eased the away team into a four point lead before Rodgers and Cleary exchanged points just before the half time whistle to leave the interval score Beragh 0-3 Drumragh 1-04.
The home team began the second half brightly and a Rodgers free reduced the deficit to three on 32 minutes. However, Beragh were reduced to 14 men when substitute (17) was red-carded by referee John Kerlin. However this seemed to galvanise the home side and only a goal-line clearance by Eamon Kerrigan kept the Sarsfields in front. Further points for the Red Knights from Rodgers and Jack Campbell reduced the deficit to the minimum score as the Sarsfields forward line struggled to gain possession. Beragh equalised on 52 minutes when Campbell slotted over a 45 metre kick.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the final 10 minutes however the game ended with no further additions to the score board.
The Sarsfields will undoubtedly rue their rustiness in front of goal particularly in the first half when they shot 8 wides. However matches between these sides have always been close and so it proved once again.
Team: J Colgan, E Kerrigan, S McGale, E McGread, J Campbell, G Haughey, G Rodgers, P Maguire, B Drumm, B Fitzgerald, M Taggart, L Brown (1-0), E Rea, S Cleary (0-3), A Colton (0-1)
Subs used: A Montgomery, G McGrath
