Drumragh senior ladies beat Aghaloo in the league on Sunday evening in Aughnacloy
AGHALOO……………..2-3
DRUMRAGH…………3-11
Drumragh senior ladies got off to a winning start in the league with a fully-deserved victory away to Aghaloo on Sunday evening.
Two goals from Caoimhe McCarron in the first half, and another from Rihanna Mullin in the second laid the foundation for what was an impressive win in manager Johnny Edgar’s first game in charge.
The teams traded scores in the opening 10 minutes with Caoimhe McCarron pointing for Drumragh after Aine McManus’s pass inside found her in a bit of space.
Midfielder Julieanne Quinn put Drumragh back in front with a nice point, before Joanne Barrett and Rihanna Mullin combined to set up Aine McManus for another good score.
The Drumragh defence started the game in a confident manner with the full-back line of Josie Hughes, Clare McGread and Iona Mills impressing.
Drumragh then took a grip of the game with the contest’s first goal. Coblaith McKenna and Aoibhinn Gallagher worked the ball into the hands of Nicola Taggart, who took the ball past a defender and passed the ball across the face of the goal to Caoimhe McCarron, who calmly palmed the ball to the back of the net. It was a well-worked team move.
Aine McManus increased the lead, while Joanne Barrett set up Caoimhe McCarron for another score with a clever pass. Aghaloo got on the scoreboard again, but Drumragh responded with an excellent point from half-forward Sorcha McKenna.
Drumragh almost goaled again when Rihanna Mullin took the ball past a few defenders only to be denied by a good save from the home goalkeeper. They didn’t have to wait long though for goal number two. Grace McCusker sent Rihanna through on goal who was fouled, with Drumragh awarded a penalty. Up stepped Caoimhe McCarron and she coolly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner to give Drumragh a commanding lead at half-time.
Drumragh captain Coblaith McKenna pictured with the referee and Aghaloo captain before throw-in
Sorcha McKenna got Drumragh up-and-running in the second half with a point after good play from Beth Donaghy and Coblaith McKenna. However, Aghaloo soon hit back with two goals in the space of 60 seconds, leaving it a five-point game.
Drumragh didn’t panic though. And they took back control with a goal from Rihanna Mullin who finished brilliantly past the Aghaloo goalkeeper.
Aghaloo kicked a free, as did Aine McManus for Drumragh after Caoimhe McCarron was fouled.
Rihanna Mullin stretched out Drumragh’s lead with a point with Beth Donaghy, Amylee Burt and Julieanne Quinn involved in the build-up, while Aine McManus also fired over the bar.
Drumragh did not let up in their defensive effort with subs Fionnuala Clarke, Lily O’Kane and Mia Gallagher all playing an important role. Rachel Cleary also made a good save in the Drumragh goal when an Aghaloo attacker was through one-on-one.
Rhianna Barrett – one of eight players (along with twin sister Jemma) to make their competitive debuts for the senior ladies in the game – pointed seconds after coming on as a sub, and that concluded the game’s scoring.
A very good performance from Drumragh, who had strong displays from players all over the field.
SCORERS: Caoimhe McCarron 2-2, Rihanna Mullin 1-1, Aine McManus 0-4, Sorcha McKenna 0-2, Julieanne Quinn 0-1, Rhianna Barrett 0-1
TEAM: Rachel Cleary, Josie Hughes, Clare McGread, Iona Mills, Aoibhinn Gallagher, Beth Donaghy, Grace McCusker, Coblaith McKenna, Julieanne Quinn, Nicola Taggart, Aine McManus, Sorcha McKenna, Caoimhe McCarron, Joanne Barrett, Rihanna Mullin
SUBS: Fionnuala Clarke, Lily O’Kane, Jemma Barrett, Amylee Burt, Rhianna Barrett, Oonagh Pancott, Emma-Cait Gallagher, Dara McNabb, Laura-Jayne Donnelly, Genevieve Norris, Mia Gallagher, Rebecca McSorley, Emma Donaghey, Kathryn Donaghey, Grace O’Neill, Evie Gallagher, Neamh Cleary
Drumragh’s Rihanna Mullin moves towards goal during Drumragh’s win over Aghaloo
