Despite the extremely difficult weather conditions, Drumragh U16 girls and Pomeroy could not be separated after a scintillating game of football in almost dark conditions in the championship on Tuesday evening.
Drumragh played with the wind in the opening half, but it was the home side who scored the opening point. Drumragh though then scored 1-2 without reply. Dana Coyle got the goal, while Rhianna Barrett was on target twice, once from a free, and once from play.
The Drumragh team played well as a unit. There was an excellent save from Chloe McGale in the Drumragh goal, while the full-back line of Lily O’Kane, Cara Kerlin and Fionnuala Clarke yielded not an inch.
When the teams turned around, it was Pomeroy who held the advantage. Drumragh’s scores in the second half came from a Rhianna Barrett free, and another Barrett placed ball to equalise at the end of normal time. Aided by the wind, Pomeroy found the back of the net from a free kick. Indeed, all of Pomeroy’s scores in the second half came from frees.
The Drumragh half-back line of Oonagh Pancott, Grace McCusker and Cora Walsh again held firm, together with the non-stop work rate of Mia Feeney and the dynamo Caitlin McCarron at midfield.
As light faded rapidly, the referee Gerard Mullin was fair and impartial throughout, with player safety a priority.
In the first period of extra-time, scores were at a premium, Pomeroy led by a point entering the final period, Rhianna Barrett on target for Drumragh, with Pomeroy on the scoreboard twice.
Rihanna Mullin, Genevieve Norris, Jemma Barrett, Amylee Burt, Roisin Gormley, and Cobhlaith Murphy worked tirelessly in the forward line throughout.
The last 10 minutes were extremely tense, as the passionate crowd roared their team on. Rihanna Mullin drew the game level, before Dana Coyle scored a wonderful individual goal.
However, Pomeroy kicked 1-1 and Rhianna Barrett scored the equaliser with one minute to go. The game ended level and no-one could argue it wasn’t a fair outcome. The teams now meet again on Sunday morning at Clanabogan Park.
SCORERS: Dana Coyle 2-0, Rhianna Barrett 0-6, Rihanna Mullin 0-1
TEAM: Chloe McGale, Lily O’Kane, Cara Kerlin, Fionnuala Clarke, Oonagh Pancott, Grace McCusker, Cora Walsh, Mia Feeney, Caitlin McCarron, Amylee Burt, Rihanna Mullin, Rhianna Barrett, Jemma Barrett, Genevieve Norris, Dana Coyle
SUBS: Cobhlaith Murphy, Dearbhaille McLaughlin, Eabha Coyle, Fionnuala Barrett, Katie McCann, Olivia Kelly, Roisin Gormley, Eireann Boyle, Anna Clarke, Roisin McDevitt
