Drumragh U14 girls put on a battling performance in a league defeat to Coalisland at Clanabogan Park on Sunday morning.
The visitors opened the scoring with a goal, but Drumragh responded with a terrific score from Dearbhaille McLaughlin, who fired over the bar following a strong run. Drumragh put together a number of dangerous attacks and were unfortunate not to make more of them count on the scoreboard. Lily Keys, Alanna Murray and Lottie Gallagher were combining well, with good last-ditch defending from Coalisland preventing Drumragh from scoring.
Coalisland stretched out their lead with a few scores, and it took some excellent defending from Amy Cox, Beth Darcy and Hollie Sloan to stop Coalisland from adding more goals.
Niamh Colton and Chloe McGale exchanged passes to create a scoring chance for Emelia Lowry, who made no mistake with a composed finish over the bar. Dearbhaille McLaughlin added another point before half-time after good play from Jennifer Barrett and Emeli Cox.
Niamh Colton, Drumragh’s captain, with the referee and Coalisland captain before throw-in
Drumragh nearly got off to the perfect start to the second half with Emelia Lowry forcing the Coalisland goalkeeper into a fantastic save. The goalkeeper made another excellent one not long after, denying Chloe McGale, who did brilliantly to create the chance for herself by taking the ball past a couple of defenders.
Coalisland did score a goal, but were often left frustrated with strong defending from the home side. Chloe Colton, Carrie Dillon and Naomi Given were prominent in a strong defensive effort. Drumragh goalkeeper Myah Dillon also pulled off a brilliant point-blank save in the closing stages.
Drumragh introduced subs Lana Gormley, Eireann Boyle, Mia McGale, Lily McAleer, Chloe McSwiggan, Lainhan Donnelly and Leah Kelly and they all played their part as the team went looking for scores right up to the final whistle. And those efforts were rewarded when Jennifer Barrett, Dearbhaille McLaughlin and Niamh Colton combined to send Emelia Lowry through for a nicely-taken score.
SCORERS: Dearbhaille McLaughlin 0-2, Emelia Lowry 0-2
TEAM: Myah Dillon, Amy Cox, Carrie Dillon, Chloe Colton, Beth Darcy, Niamh Colton, Hollie Sloan, Jennifer Barrett, Dearbhaille McLaughlin, Alanna Murray, Lily Keys, Emeli Cox, Emelia Lowry, Chloe McGale, Lottie Gallagher
SUBS: Lana Gormley, Lily McAleer, Eireann Boyle, Leah Kelly, Naomi Given, Mia McGale, Chloe McSwiggan, Lainhan Donnelly
Drumragh’s Emelia Lowry on the attack for Drumragh during their league game on Sunday morning
