Drumragh U16 boys played well against Dromore in the league on Thursday
Dromore………………….2-10
Drumragh………………..0-13
Drumragh U16 boys lost narrowly away to Dromore in the league on Thursday evening.
Drumragh deserved at least a point from this game and could have had one as well. Niall McCarney found the back of the net with a close-in free late on. But he was made to take it again, his second attempt hit the post and went wide and the final whistle was blown.
But there were lots of positives for Drumragh. They refused to give in despite falling six points behind before half-time, had many good performances throughout the hour and kicked some fine scores.
A foul on Aaron Lynch allowed Niall McCarney to put Drumragh into an early lead. Dromore answered that with a goal but Niall then converted a wonderful long-range free after Ben Monk had been fouled.
Aaron Lynch brought the sides level with a free that he had won himself. Niall McCarney then put Drumragh back in front with probably the score of the game. Having won the ball at midfield from a kick out, he drove through a couple of tackles and kicked a superb point from play from far out.
It remained a close game for most of the rest of the first half. Niall McCarney scored two more frees after fouls on Eoin Coyle (whose strong running was causing problems for the Dromore defence) and Aaron Lynch, while Aaron got a point from play after good play from Eoin and Ethan Maguire.
Dromore scored their second goal close to half-time and went in at half-time with a five-point lead. It would have been more only for a fantastic double save from Drumragh goalkeeper Ryan McCrystal near the end of the half.
Matthew O’Donnell started at centre-half back for Drumragh U16 boys against Dromore on Thursday
Dromore opened the scoring in the second half with a free but Drumragh were then to have their best spell of the game.
The Drumragh defence, led by Carraig McKenna, Oran Devlin and Ryan Montgomery in the full-back line, were playing really well, keeping the Dromore forward line in check.
Sean O’Kane set Ben Monk up for a point, Cormac Dolan swung over an excellent point from play and Niall McCarney and Aaron Lynch kicked a free apiece as Drumragh fought back into the game. Aaron’s free came as a result of an incredible catch through a crowd of players from Niall Maguire on the edge of the square.
Drumragh were playing some good football with the half-back line of Cahir McAnenly, Matthew O’Donnell and Oisin Kerlin getting forward well to support the attack.
Dromore were able to get up the field and add two points and they were then awarded a penalty. However, Ryan McCrystal stepped up again and produced another excellent save to deny Dromore their third goal.
Niall McCarney scored his eighth point of the game which set up an exciting finish. With the game entering its final few minutes, Drumragh needed a goal and they had a number of chances to get one. Aaron Lynch was unlucky with a chance that went just wide after he had done well to win a long ball in, the Dromore goalkeeper made a good save from Niall McCarney and then there was that free right at the end. But they just weren’t able to find the back of the net and Dromore held on for the win.
Scorers: Niall McCarney 0-8, Aaron Lynch 0-3, Cormac Dolan 0-1, Ben Monk 0-1
Team: Ryan McCrystal, Carraig McKenna, Oran Devlin, Ryan Montgomery, Cahir McAnenly, Matthew O’Donnell, Oisin Kerlin, Niall McCarney, Cormac Dolan, Ben Monk, Eoin Coyle, Sean O’Kane, Niall Maguire, Ethan Maguire, Aaron Lynch
Subs: Conor Barrett, Hugh McKenna, Rory Dolan
Aaron Lynch scored three points for Drumragh on Thursday
