Drumragh U17 boys lost out narrowly to Both Domhnaigh in their opening league game in Gortin on Saturday afternoon after producing a good performance.
A wonderful goal from Brendan Quinn had given Drumragh the lead midway through the second half, but the home side finished strong to take the victory.
Both Domhnaigh kicked the game’s opening four scores and it took strong defending from Carraig McKenna, Sean O’Kane and Rory Dolan to stop them opening up an even bigger lead. Drumragh had their chances too and were unfortunate that good play from Niall McCarney, Matthew O’Donnell and Aidan McCarney was not reflected on the scoreboard.
Aaron Lynch did get Drumragh’s first point with an excellent finish from out on the left after Matthew O’Donnell, Niall McCarney and Ryan Montgomery had combined to set him up.
It didn’t take Drumragh long to get back level at the start of the second half. Smart kickouts from Drumragh goalkeeper Sean O’Doherty gave them plenty of possession, which they took advantage of.
Oran Devlin won a turnover in the Drumragh defence, from there the ball made its way to Niall McCarney who showed good determination to create a scoring chance for himself, which he took. That was quickly followed by a point from Niall Maguire, who had been set up by Lorcan McGrath.
At the other end of the pitch, Both Domhnaigh threatened a number of times but were kept out by Oisin Kerlin and Brendan Quinn.
Niall Maguire brought the teams level with a nice point from play before Niall McCarney put Drumragh ahead for the first time with a long-range free after he had been fouled himself. Both Domhnaigh responded almost immediately with an excellent score from their centre-back.
And then Drumragh got in for the only goal of the game. Midfielder Brendan Quinn intercepted a kickout and lobbed the goalkeeper from 30 metres out for a fantastic score.
Both Domhnaigh then put on a lot of pressure as they tried to get back into the game. Their goalkeeper converted a couple of long-range frees. He also made a terrific save from Oran Devlin, who was at the end of a brilliant team move that had started with Cahir McAnenly in the full-back line.
Both Domhnaigh kicked the next five scores to take control of the contest. Niall McCarney added another free but Drumragh couldn’t get the goal they needed to take something from the game.
Scorers: Brendan Quinn 1-0, Niall McCarney 0-3, Niall Maguire 0-2, Aaron Lynch 0-1,
Team: Sean O’Doherty, Lorcan McGrath, Oisin Kerlin, Rory Dolan, Sean O’Kane, Oran Devlin, Carraig McKenna, Niall McCarney, Brendan Quinn, Cahir McAnenly, Matthew O’Donnell, Ryan Montgomery, Aaron Lynch, Niall Maguire, Aidan McCarney
Subs: Hugh McKenna, Kristin Devine, Dylan Lowry, Conor Barrett, Ronan Bresnahan, Oran Barrett, Conor Gormley