Drumragh U14 boys got their season off to a winning start with a very impressive victory over Dungannon on Saturday morning.
Drumragh played some brilliant football in the opening 30 minutes and that allowed them to build up a lead at the break.
Lorcan Starrs got the scoring underway with a nice point after he had claimed Conor Fyffe’s long ball in, Conor Murray starting the move in the defence with an important turnover.
Then a patient team move involving James Gallagher, Cayal McCafferty and Ronan Barton ended with Niall Gormley doubling Drumragh’s lead. A foul on Eamon Barrett allowed Matt Gallagher to convert a free, while Lorcan Starrs and Ollie Hagan combined to create a chance for Matt, who made no mistake with a good finish from play. Conor Fyffe then scored two points in quick succession after great play from Ollie Hagan, Niall Gormley and James Gallagher.
Matt Gallagher then increased the lead with a fantastic long-range free after James Gallagher had been fouled.
The Drumragh defence also made a determined start to the game. Peter McGuigan and brothers Oisin and Mark Walsh were able to win the ball back numerous times in the full-back line, and from that platform, Drumragh launched attacks. The first goal of the game soon arrived.
Lorcan Starrs won the ball out in front of his marker and slipped a clever pass into Ollie Hagan who buried the ball into the back of the net. From the kickout, that pair repeated the trick for Ollie’s second goal of the game. Lorcan then turned finisher with a point from play, before Cahir Keyes added a goal with a cracking top corner finish.
Ollie Hagan soon completed his hat-trick, while Lorcan Starrs scored a couple of goals, as Drumragh kept up their excellent level of performance. Niall Gormley and Conor Fyffe scored a point each before the half-time whistle.
Drumragh captain Matt Gallagher with the referee and Dungannon captain before the start of the game
Lorcan Starrs opened the scoring in the second half, with Dungannon quickly responding with a point of their own. Matt Gallagher was on target again, but Dungannon were coming more into the game and forced Drumragh goalkeeper Lorcan McDevitt into a terrific save, one of a couple he would make during the second half.
Dungannon did get through for a couple of goals, and also added some nice points from play. Eoin Clarke responded for Drumragh with a good finish for a point after strong build-up play from Cahir Keyes, Eoin Boyle and Conor Fyffe.
Drumragh introduced a number of substitutes and were unfortunate not to profit more on the scoreboard from the work of Senan McManus, Feargal Pearson and Ruairi Doherty.
Dungannon closed the gap further, but James Gallagher answered back for Drumragh with a point, and completing an excellent opening day display.
SCORERS: Lorcan Starrs 2-4 Ollie Hagan 3-0, Matt Gallagher 0-4, Conor Fyffe 0-3, Cahir Keyes 1-0, Niall Gormley 0-2, James Gallagher 0-1, Eoin Clarke 0-1
TEAM: Lorcan McDevitt, Mark Walsh, Oisin Walsh, Peter McGuigan, Conor Murray, Conor Fyffe, Cayal McCafferty, James Gallagher, Niall Gormley, Eamon Barrett, Matt Gallagher, Cahir Keyes, Ronan Barton, Ollie Hagan, Lorcan Starrs
SUBS: Ruairi Doherty, Eoin Boyle, Eoin Clarke, Senan McManus, Feargal Pearson
Drumragh’s Eoin Clarke drives forward during the game in Dungannon
