Drumragh minor ladies were narrowly beaten by Galbally in their opening league game on Tuesday
A terrific comeback fell just short for Drumragh minor ladies away to Galbally on Tuesday evening. In what was a very enjoyable, entertaining game, Drumragh played some great football in an attempt to get something from the contest.
The game began with both sides creating chances and Drumragh needed alert defending from Josie Hughes and Cora Walsh to stop Galbally scoring. Drumragh, meanwhile, were unfortunate not to profit from the work of Emma McCloskey, Iona Mills and Mia Feeney.
It was the home side who did open the scoring with a point and they quickly added a few goals to establish a lead.
Caoimhe McCarron got Drumragh up and running on the scoreboard with a free after good pressure from Cara Kerlin and Alanna McMenamin forced the turnover in the Galbally defence. They soon added a goal. Lily O’Kane won the ball back in the full-back line and a brilliant pass inside from centre-forward Emma McCloskey allowed Emma-Cait Gallagher to find the back of the net.
Galbally responded with 1-2 but Caoimhe McCarron was again on target before half-time with an excellent point from play having been set up by Alanna McMenamin and Aoibhinn Gallagher.
Drumragh captain Caoimhe McCarron with the Galbally captain and referee ahead of throw-in
The second half started with more pressure from the home side but the Drumragh defence stood firm with Genevieve Norris and Grace McCusker clearing a number of attacks.
Shortly after, good perseverance from Fionnuala Clarke and Alanna McMenamin saw Amy-Lee Burt finish for Drumragh’s second goal of the contest.
Galbally answered back with a goal and a point but as the half wore on, Drumragh were more and more on the front foot.
Caoimhe McCarron converted a placed ball after a free-flowing Drumragh move had been stopped illegally while Caoimhe then played out a smart pass to find Aoibhinn Gallagher in space, who fired the ball over the bar.
Iona Mills, Mia Feeney and Emma McCloskey were a constant outlet for the defence and their ability to win tough ball and to run at the Galbally defence was creating chances for Drumragh. And Evie Gallagher took one of those chances impressively finding the top corner for a wonderful goal.
Galbally tried to stop Drumragh’s momentum but could only add a point as Cora Walsh, Genevieve Norris and Grace McCusker continued to defend brilliantly.
A good kickout from Lily O’Kane found Mia Feeney and she was able to move the ball on to Therese McManus and she shot past the Galbally goalkeeper.
Drumragh introduced their subs and every player who came on made an impact towards the finish. Two of those subs, Rihanna Mullin and Dana Coyle, combined for Dana to finish low to the net, leaving it a one-score game entering injury time.
But Drumragh were not able to create a chance that could have seen them earn a point, despite a brilliant effort from each player.
SCORERS: Emma-Cait Gallagher 1-0, Evie Gallagher 1-0, Amy-Lee Burt 1-0, Therese McManus 1-0, Dana Coyle 1-0, Caoimhe McCarron 0-3, Aoibhinn Gallagher 0-1,
TEAM: Grace McCusker, Lily O’Kane, Genevieve Norris, Cora Walsh, Genevieve Norris, Josie Hughes, Cara Kerlin, Aoibhinn Gallagher, Mia Feeney, Iona Mills, Emma McCloskey, Caoimhe McCarron, Amy-Lee Burt, Emma-Cait Gallagher, Alanna McMenamin
SUBS: Jemma Barrett, Rihanna Mullin, Fionnuala Clarke, Dana Coyle, Cara McManus, Aine MacRory, Fianna McNamee, Emma Cox, Maeve McCrystal, Cassie McCabe, Mairead Corrigan, Grace Gormley, Therese McManus, Una Pancott, Aimee McGaughey
