Drumragh U14 boys battled to a hard-fought win over Errigal Ciaran in the league at Clanabogan Park on Saturday morning, preserving their 100 per cent start to the year.
A tight first half saw the sides go in level at the interval. Conor Fyffe hit an early goal for Drumragh while Matt Gallagher increased the lead with an excellent point after he had exchanged passes with midfielder Niall Gormley. Errigal Ciaran registered their first score of the game, but Lorcan Starrs responded for Drumragh with a point after he had shown great determination to win a long ball into the full-forward line.
The Drumragh defence restricted the visiting forward line well in the opening stages with Oisin Walsh, Peter McGuigan and Conor Murray impressing. Wing-backs Che Corry and Cayal Cafferkey, meanwhile, were getting forward well to support the attack and Drumragh were unlucky to not profit more from their good work.
The visitors scored a point, but Matt Gallagher then took a quick free to Mark Walsh, Mark returned the ball to Matt who then fired the ball over the bar from distance. Cahir Keyes was soon after on target too after good a build-up from Eamon Barrett, Arthur Barrett and Ollie Hagan.
Errigal Ciaran finished the half on the front foot and managed to draw themselves level with a goal and a brace of points.
Drumragh captain Matt Gallagher with the Errigal Ciaran captain and referee before the start of the game
Drumragh got off to the perfect start to the second half with Conor Fyffe finishing to the back of the net after a strong run through the visiting defence. Niall Gormley, Cahir Keyes and Mark Walsh combined to set up Matt Gallagher for a lovely point, with Matt then adding a free after he was fouled himself.
Errigal kicked two good scores with Matt Gallagher replying for Drumragh with one of his own midway through the second half.
As the game entered its final stages, Drumragh introduced Eoin Clarke, Eoin Boyle, Senan McManus, Ruairi Doherty, Aaron O’Doherty, Fergal Pearson, Ethan Montague, Ronan Barton and James Green from the bench and they all helped their side push to the end.
Drumragh soon struck for an important score. Conor Fyffe won the ball back in defence and from there, the ball went through the hands of Niall Gormley, Ollie Hagan, and eventually Lorcan Starrs who scored Drumragh’s third goal of the game.
Errigal Ciaran were on target with a point, but Drumragh went straight up the other end of the pitch where Ronan Barton set up Lorcan Starrs for a quality score.
The away side always carried a threat going forward and Drumragh were thankful to goalkeeper Lorcan McDevitt who made two incredible saves in a short space of time. Oisin Walsh, Cayal Cafferkey and Conor Murray also averted danger on a number of occasions.
Conor Fyffe added a point with Arthur Barrett, Che Corry and Mark Walsh involved in the build-up, before Errigal Ciaran scored a goal.
Drumragh, however, didn’t panic and got a few extra scores before full-time. Matt Gallagher converted a free after Ruairi Doherty had been fouled, while Aaron O’Doherty reacted quickest from a rebound to kick the home side’s fourth goal. And that was enough for Drumragh to claim both points, despite an injury time goal for Errigal Ciaran.
SCORERS: Conor Fyffe 2-1, Matt Gallagher 0-6, Lorcan Starrs 1-2, Aaron O’Doherty 1-0, Cahir Keyes 0-1
TEAM: Lorcan McDevitt, Mark Walsh, Oisin Walsh, Peter McGuigan, Che Corry, Conor Murray, Cayal Cafferkey, Conor Fyffe, Niall Gormley, Eamon Barrett, Matt Gallagher, Cahir Keyes, Arthur Barrett, Ollie Hagan, Lorcan Starrs
SUBS: Eoin Clarke, Eoin Boyle, Senan McManus, Ruairi Doherty, Aaron O’Doherty, Ethan Montague, Fergal Pearson, Ronan Barton, James Green
Drumragh’s Mark Walsh looks to make a pass during the game against Errigal Ciaran on Saturday morning
