Drumragh minor girls pictured before their game against Pomeroy on Tuesday
Drumragh minor girls got back to winning ways with a deserved six-point victory over Pomeroy at a sunny Clanabogan Park on Tuesday evening.
It was an excellent display from Drumragh whose determination, teamwork and scoretaking drove them to success.
Both sides had chances in the opening five minutes with Iona Mills, Cassie McCabe and Cara Kerlin having to be alert in the Drumragh defence to prevent Pomeroy from taking an early lead. At the other end of the field, the home side were unfortunate not to profit off the good play of Mairead Corrigan, Rihanna Mullin and Jemma Barrett.
It was Drumragh though who did open the scoring when Rihanna Mullin set up Caoimhe McCarron for a lovely point. Caoimhe then doubled the lead with another nice score after Mia Feeney had won a kickout.
Pomeroy continued to pose a threat as well, and forced Drumragh goalkeeper Aine MacRory into an excellent save, with full-back Lily O’Kane completing the clearance.
Grace McCusker did well to win the ball back, she then fed Rihanna Barrett the ball who struck it over the bar. A patient build-up involving Evie Gallagher, Caitlin McCarron and Rihanna Mullin led to another point from Caoimhe McCarron.
Drumragh then took a firm grip of the contest with its first goal, in a move started and finished by the Barrett sisters. Jemma did brilliantly to win a kickout, and gave the ball into twin sister Rihanna, who coolly finished past the Pomeroy goalkeeper.
Goal number two came shortly afterwards. An intricate exchange of passes in the forward line between Rihanna Barrett, Amylee Burt and Mia Feeney sent Mairead Corrigan through on goal and she fired to the back of the net. A thoroughly deserved goal for Mairead, who was involved in all of Drumragh’s best moves.
The away side scored a goal of their own on the stroke of half-time, but Drumragh held a convincing lead at the break.
Drumragh captain Evie Gallagher with the referee and Pomeroy captain ahead of throw-in on Tuesday
Pomeroy opened the scoring in the second half despite strong defending from Caitlin McCarron and Lily O’Kane.
Drumragh responded well though, hitting three points on the spin. First, quick hands from Amylee Burt sent Caoimhe McCarron through and she finished brilliantly from out on the right wing. Caoimhe then converted a free after Rihanna Mullin was fouled and quickly added another from play.
Drumragh continued to defend brilliantly, never moreso than when Mia Feeney cleared the ball off the goallline. The visitors kicked a good long-range free to close the gap.
But a pair of frees from Caoimhe McCarron and Grace McCusker gave Drumragh a bit more breathing space.
Pomeroy went up the other end of the field, and looked to get in for a goal, but great defending from Fionnuala Clarke meant they had to settle for a point.
Drumragh introduced subs Oonagh Pancott, Cora Walsh, Neamh Given and Fianna McGuigan and they all played a big part as the home side secured an impressive win, despite conceding a late goal.
SCORERS: Caoimhe McCarron 0-7, Rihanna Barrett 1-1, Mairead Corrigan 1-0, Grace McCusker 0-1
TEAM: Aine MacRory, Cassie McCabe, Lily O’Kane, Cara Kerlin, Caitlin McCarron, Iona Mills, Grace McCusker, Evie Gallagher, Mairead Corrigan, Mia Feeney, Rihanna Mullin, Caoimhe McCarron, Rihanna Mullin, Jemma Barrett, Amylee Burt
SUBS: Cora Walsh, Oonagh Pancott, Fionnuala Clarke, Fianna McGuigan, Neamh Given
Drumragh players Cassie McCabe, Aine MacRory and Cara Kerlin defend the line during the win over Pomeroy on Tuesday
