Drumragh minor girls made an excellent start to the league with a great win over Castlederg at Clanabogan on Sunday morning. It was a good all-round team performance from Drumragh who played some fantastic football throughout the hour.
The home side were on the front foot from the off. They took the lead courtesy of a Rhianna Barrett free after Genevieve Norris had been fouled. From the kickout that followed, Dana Coyle won the ball, run through the Castlederg defence and fired low to the net to increase Drumragh’s lead.
Drumragh were creating a lot of chances in the early stages. Jemma Barrett did brilliantly to win the ball back high up the field. Her pass created an opportunity for Genevieve Norris who was denied by a superb – and brave – block by the Castlederg full-back. The visiting goalkeeper also made a save, one of several throughout the game, to prevent Rihanna Mullin from scoring the second goal of the game.
The runs from deep by Aine O’Donnell, Dana Coyle and Grace McCusker were causing problems for Castlederg and these were soon rewarded on the scoreboard. Caoimhe McCarron was on target with a point, and Caoimhe then turned provider allowing Genevieve Norris to score a goal with an accomplished finish. Rihanna Mullin also added a nice point after she won possession from a kickout.
The Drumragh full-back line of Cora Walsh, Cara Kerlin and Lily O’Kane started the game brilliantly and dispossessed Castlederg forwards in dangerous positions a number of times.
Castlederg hit 1-1 towards the end of the half, leaving Drumragh with a five-point lead at the break.
Drumragh captain Rhianna Barrett with the referee and Castlederg captain ahead of throw-in
The away side got off to a dream start to the second half with another goal. Drumragh didn’t panic, however, and got to work on building up their lead again. Rhianna Barrett kicked a free after a brilliant run from Dana Coyle had been stopped illegally.
Caoimhe McCarron scored a lovely point with the outside of her right foot, while a foul on Emma McCloskey allowed Rhianna Barrett to send another free between the posts.
Midway through the half, Drumragh goalkeeper Katie McCann made a terrific save to prevent Castlederg from getting another goal. The away side did convert a free soon after, but that would prove to be their final score of the game.
Drumragh, from then on, were very much in the ascendency, with all substitutes introduced having the desired impact. Mairead Corrigan and Rihanna Mullin set up Caoimhe McCarron for a point, and Caoimhe quickly added another from a very tight angle after Cobhlaith Murphy’s pass.
Grace McCusker won a kickout before racing through and firing over and Aine O’Donnell was also on target after good play from Dana Coyle and Rhianna Barrett.
Drumragh remained vigilant at the back. Mia Feeney at centre-back read the game superbly and was able to intercept a number of balls kicked into the Castlederg full-forward line. Mia was ably supported by Caitlin McCarron, Fionnuala Clarke and Oonagh Pancott in the defensive effort.
Emma McCloskey then wrapped up the Drumragh victory with a couple of late goals following good play from Rihanna Mullin, Mollie Starrs and Genevieve Norris.
SCORERS: Emma McCloskey 2-0, Caoimhe McCarron 0-4, Rhianna Barrett 0-3, Genevieve Norris 1-0, Dana Coyle 1-0, Rihanna Mullin 0-1, Aine O’Donnell 0-1, Grace McCusker 0-1
TEAM: Katie McCann, Cora Walsh, Cara Kerlin, Lily O’Kane, Caitlin McCarron, Mia Feeney, Grace McCusker, Mairead Corrigan, Dana Coyle, Rhianna Barrett, Rihanna Mullin, Aine O’Donnell, Caoimhe McCarron, Genevieve Norris, Jemma Barrett
SUBS: Amylee Burt, Anna Clarke, Oonagh Pancott, Emma McCloskey, Fionnula Clarke, Neamh Given, Fionnuala Barrett, Nora McCloskey, Olivia Kelly, Aoibhinn Dolan, Keira McGuigan, Cobhlaith Murphy, Mollie Starrs, Eabha Coyle
Drumragh forward Genevieve Norris takes on her marker at Clanabogan on Sunday morning
