Drumragh minor ladies drew with Sperrin Og in Greencastle on Tuesday evening
Drumragh minor ladies and Sperrin Og played out a thriller in the league up in Greencastle on Tuesday evening, with nothing between the teams when the final whistle was blown.
Both sides enjoyed their periods of dominance with the lead changing hands several times throughout the game, and injury time points from Rihanna Barrett and Iona Mills secured the draw for Drumragh.
The home side scored a goal with the first attack of the game and quickly added a point. Caoimhe McCarron responded for Drumragh (who lost Lily O’Kane to injury early on) with a free after a foul on Aoibhinn Gallagher. Shortly after, Sperrin Og kicked a free of their own.
But Drumragh came right back into the game with their opening goal of the evening. And what a goal it was! Cara Kerlin and Emma-Cait Gallagher combined to create a scoring chance for Iona Mills. Her shot from distance came off the post and into the path of the on-rushing Rihanna Mullin, who in turn, first-time on the half-volley, fired the ball into the top corner of the net with the outside of her right foot. A truly wonderful goal.
Sperrin Og did answer back with a goal of their own and could have had more only for excellent defending from Josie Hughes, Cora Walsh and Evie Gallagher. Drumragh goalkeeper Aine MacRory also made a good save during this period.
Josie Hughes turned the ball over in the Drumrgah full-back line, and from there, the ball went through the hands of Grace McCusker, Genevieve Norris, Rihanna Barrett and eventually Emma-Cait Gallagher who finished well past the Sperrin Og goalkeeper. Drumragh were soon level when Aoibhinn Gallagher set up sister Emma-Cait for a nice point.
From the resulting kickout, Rihanna Mullin caught the ball, drove forward and put Drumragh in the lead for the first time, and that lead was quickly doubled when Caoimhe McCarron put the ball over the bar with Rihanna Barrett and Genevieve Norris involved in the build up.
Sperrin Og replied with a goal and a point and strong defence from Grace McCusker and Cora Walsh ensured it was only a two-point lead for the home side at the break.
Drumragh captain Coaimhe McCarron with the Sperrin Og captain and the referee ahead of throw-in on Tuesday
Drumragh were on the attack early in the second half with Rihanna Mullin denied by a good save from the Sperrin Og goalkeeper, they did register on the scoreboard, however, thanks to a Genevieve Norris point.
Caoimhe McCarron brought the teams level with a point before Rihanna Mullin put Drumragh ahead again with a goal. Genevieve Norris increased Drumragh’s lead with an excellent point after a determined run, and Caoimhe McCarron delivered another quality score from play from out on the right.
As throughout the game, it was end-to-end stuff at this stage. Sperrin Og hit 1-1 in quick succession, Caoimhe McCarron was on target for Drumragh following a nice move involving Iona Mills and Rihanna Barrett, before Sperrin Og converted a penalty and added a point from play to move two points ahead nearing the finish.
But Drumragh – helped by the introduction of the subs – were not to be denied, showing admirable battling qualities, and no little skill. First Rihanna Barrett kicked a brilliant point under pressure from the Sperrin Og defence. The kickout was then won by Aoibhinn Gallagher, and the Drumragh attack remained patient until the right opportunity arose, and when it did, it fell to Iona Mills, who stepped up and confidently slotted the equaliser.
And with that, the referee blew the final whistle. A draw game and a fair result after a fantastic game of football.
SCORERS: Rihanna Mullin 2-1, Caoimhe McCarron 0-5, Emma-Cait Gallagher 1-1, Genevieve Norris 0-2, Rihanna Barrett 0-1, Iona Mills 0-1,
TEAM: Aine MacRory, Lily O’Kane, Grace McCusker, Cara Kerlin, Cora Walsh, Evie Gallagher, Aoibhinn Gallagher, Genevieve Norris, Iona Mills, Rihanna Barrett, Rihanna Mullin, Coaimhe McCarron, Emma-Cait Gallagher
SUBS: Jemma Barrett, Amy-Lee Burt, Alanna McMenamain, Fionnuala Clarke, Dana Coyle, Josie Hughes, Mairead Corrigan, Fianna McNamee, Una Pancott, Mia Feeney, Aimee McGaughey, Emma Cox, Maeve McCrystal, Cassie McCabe, Eimear Mullin, Emma McCloskey, Maya McBride, Grace Gormley, Therese McManus
