Drumragh minor boys made it two wins from two with an excellent victory over Aghyaran on Monday evening.
Ryan Montgomery was on target with a couple of early frees for Drumragh, but it was the home side who made much of the early running. They scored four points in the opening 15 minutes and added a good goal. They had other chances too, and Drumragh needed interventions from Carraig McKenna, Conor Gormley and Lorcan McGrath to stop Aghyaran finding the net again.
But as the half progressed, Drumragh began to get on top. Ryan Montgomery was on target again, this time a good effort from play, while Mattie O’Donnell kicked a brilliant point from distance having received the ball from Oran Devlin.
Niall Maguire then won the ball out in front of his marker and swung it over the bar from out on the right. Niall was on target again shortly after having been set up by Cahir McAnenly, and Aaron Lynch soon brought the teams level with a nice point from play.
It was a terrific game, with both sides creating chances. Lorcan McGrath, Rory Dolan and Sean O’Kane were defending well when Aghyaran threatened.
A foul on Oran Devlin allowed Ryan Montgomery to put Drumragh ahead again from a free. Mattie O’Donnell added another excellent point from play. And from that kickout, Conor Gormley won a mark at midfield, played the ball in long to Niall Maguire, who was able to turn and fire the ball over the bar.
Further points from Carraig McKenna, Cahir McAnenly and Ryan Montgomery meant Drumragh enjoyed a five-point lead at the break.
Mattie O’Donnell, Drumragh’s captain, with the referee and Aghyaran captain before throw-in
Aghyaran came out fired up at the start of the second half and were quickly on target twice with points. Drumragh goalkeeper Sean O’Doherty needed to be alert on a few occasions to deal with a few long balls in. Brendan Quinn and Mattie O’Donnell also played an important part in protecting Drumragh’s lead at this point. However, Conor Gormley got Drumragh up-and-running in the second half with a left-footed point after Rory Dolan had won the ball at midfield, and Cahir McAnenly had supplied the pass.
Aghyaran closed the gap with a couple of nice points, but Dylan Lowry answered back for Drumragh with a good score.
Drumragh then took control of the game with three goals in a short space of time. Conor Barrett supplied the finish for the first after a quick counter-attack involving Oran Devlin, Ryan Montgomery and Lorcan McGrath. Niall Maguire got goal number two when he punched the ball to the net after Sean O’Kane’s shot had hit the post. But Sean did get his goal, with a composed finish after Niall had flicked the ball into his path.
Aghyaran replied with a goal of their own from the penalty spot.
But Drumragh remained calm and were able to see out the game, helped by the introduction of some subs. Niall Maguire burst through a tackle and punched the ball over the bar and added an excellent free from out near the sideline. Conor Barrett got the final score of the game with a good point after Carraig McKenna had set him up.
A brilliant win for Drumragh after a hugely entertaining game.
SCORERS: Niall Maguire 1-5, Ryan Montgomery 0-5, Conor Barrett 1-1, Sean O’Kane 1-0, Mattie O’Donnell 0-2, Cahir McAnenly 0-1, Conor Gormley 0-1, Aaron Lynch 0-1, Carraig McKenna 0-1, Dylan Lowry 0-1
TEAM: Sean O’Doherty, Sean O’Kane, Conor Gormley, Carraig McKenna, Mattie O’Donnell, Lorcan McGrath, Oran Devlin, Rory Dolan, Ryan Montgomery, Cahir McAnenly, Niall Maguire, Aaron Lynch, Dylan Lowry
SUBS: Brendan Quinn, Conor Barrett, Oisin Kerlin, Ryan Baxter, Frankie Monk, Dara Cox
Drumragh defender Lorcan McGrath in possession of the ball against Aghyaran
