Drumragh U14 girls pictured in Moortown before their league game on Thursday
Drumragh U14 girls secured a well-earned win away to Moortown on Thursday evening.
It was a committed and determined display from Drumragh who built up a lead in the first half and defended it resolutely in the second half to claim the points.
Eabha Coyle opened the scoring with a nice point after she ran on to a smart pass inside from Roisin Gormley, with Dana Coyle adding a goal shortly after.
Moortown got on the scoreboard with a point, but it didn’t take Drumragh long to answer back. Excellent kick-outs from Drumragh goalkeeper Chloe McGale set up a number of attacks, and from one of those Shauna Murray scored the second goal of the game, with Roise McDevitt, Anna Clarke and Eabha Coyle involved in the build-up.
Drumragh were playing some great football with Caitlin McCarron, Lily Keys and Eireann Boyle helping create scoring opportunities. The Moortown goalkeeper made two good saves, while Drumragh also hit the crossbar on three occasions.
At the other end of the field, pressure from Keira McGuigan and Fionnuala Barrett prevented Moortown from creating a goal chance while Chloe McGale proved to be a safe pair of hands in the Drumragh goal dealing well with a couple of high balls into the square.
Niamh Colton won the ball back for Drumragh in the full-back line and a quick counter-attack involving Dearbhaille McLaughlin, Lily Keys and Dana Coyle eventually came to Roisin Gormley, who made no mistake with a good finish to the back of the net. Roisin then turned provider again as another wonderful pass found Eabha Coyle in space and she kicked a lovely point.
Moortown were also on target before half-time, but Drumragh held the lead at the break.
Drumragh’s captain Anna Clarke with the Moortown captain and referee
In the second half, Drumragh were now playing against a very strong wind. They needed to be solid in defence, and they were that, and more.
It was Drumragh who got the scoreboard moving first. A strong run from Caitlin McCarron was stopped illegally and Roisin Gormley converted the free that followed. Shauna Murray was also on target with a great point from play.
Moortown went on to score three points on the bounce. They had a lot of possession as the half progressed, but the half-back line of Dearbhaille McLaughlin, Fionnuala Barrett and Eva McGale turned the ball over time and time again, helping protect Drumragh’s lead.
Entering the final 10 minutes, Moortown did manage to score a goal, but Drumragh’s response was immediate with a brilliant goal of their own. Niamh Colton, Lottie Gallagher and Dana Coyle helped work the ball into the hands of Roisin Gormley who powered an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. They almost got another goal straight away. Quick hands from Jennifer Barrett created a goal chance for Roisin and she forced the Moortown goalkeeper into an excellent save.
Moortown reduced the gap with a point. They needed goals, but the Drumragh defence – with subs Aoibhinn Dolan and Mya Rose McManus playing their part – stood firm, and they deservedly recorded their third win of the season.
SCORERS: Roisin Gormley 2-1, Shauna Murray 1-1, Dana Coyle 1-0, Eabha Coyle 0-2
TEAM: Chloe McGale, Roise McDevitt, Anna Clarke, Keira McGuigan, Dearbhaille McLaughlin, Fionnuala Barrett, Eva McGale, Caitlin McCarron, Dana Coyle, Eabha Coyle, Roisin Gormley, Lily Keys, Eireann Boyle, Shauna Murray, Niamh Colton
SUBS: Lottie Gallagher, Mya Rose McManus, Aoibhinn Dolan, Jennifer Barrett
Drumragh’s Roise McDevitt brings the ball out of defence during the league game in Moortown on Thursday evening
