Drumragh minor girls maintained their excellent start to the league with a win over Aghyaran at Clanabogan last Monday evening.
It was another terrific performance from Drumragh who have really impressed throughout the season.
Drumragh were on the front foot from the off, with Mairead Corrigan and Dana Coyle driving forward from midfield right from the first whistle. And they soon made that count on the scoreboard. Genevieve Norris got the first score of the game with a terrific finish for a goal after good play from Fionnuala Clarke, Rhianna Barrett and Aine O’Donnell. Goal number two came shortly after when Emma McCloskey reacted quickest to Rihanna Mullin’s shot coming off the post to shoot past the Aghyaran goalkeeper.
Aghyaran got in for a goal, but strong defence from Caitlin McCarron, Rihanna Mullin and Lily O’Kane prevented the visitors from levelling up the game, or even going in front. Genevieve Norris caught a 45 into the square, turned her marker and blasted the ball low to the back of the net for another fantastic goal.
Drumragh were attacking in waves, and were able to reel off some impressive scores. Dana Coyle drove through the Aghyaran defence, before splitting the posts, Rhianna Barrett converted a free after Genevieve Norris had been fouled, and Jemma Barrett fired to the roof of the net for a good goal with Rihanna Mullin and Mairead Corrigan setting up the chance.
Aghyaran kicked a point, but further scores from Aine O’Donnell and Caoimhe McCarron put Drumragh in a commanding position at half-time.
Drumragh captain Rhianna Barrett with the referee and Aghyaran captain before the start of the game
The visitors came out fired up for the second half and hit four points in-a-row, all within a short space of time. Drumragh’s response came when Aine O’Donnell’s clever pass allowed Jemma Barrett to send a point over the bar. And from the kickout that followed, that duo repeated the trick for another nice score from Jemma.
Aghyaran scored the game’s next three points, but Drumragh got to work in regaining control. Caoimhe McCarron did brilliantly to win the ball back, leading to an Emma McCloskey point. Caoimhe was then on target herself, after Grace McCusker’s good pass into the full-forward line.
Aghyaran needed goals and went looking for them. Drumragh goalkeeper Katie McCann had to clear a couple of high balls into the square, while Fionnuala Clarke, Cara Kerlin and Lily O’Kane stood strong in the full-back line. The Drumragh subs also had a positive impact as Drumragh closed out the win. Cobhlaith Murphy and Mairead Corrigan set up Rhianna Barrett for a point, Genevieve Norris took the ball past a couple of defenders to deliver another, while Dana Coyle was on target twice as well.
Jemma Barrett then completed the scoring with a goal after she had done well to win the ball back high up the field. The referee blew the full-time whistle straight afterwards. Five wins from five for Drumragh.
SCORERS: Jemma Barrett 2-2, Genevieve Norris 2-2, Emma McCloskey 1-1, Dana Coyle 0-3, Rhianna Barrett 0-2, Caoimhe McCarron 0-2, Aine O’Donnell 0-1
TEAM: Katie McCann, Fionnuala Clarke, Cara Kerlin, Lily O’Kane, Caitlin McCarron, Rihanna Mullin, Grace McCusker, Aine O’Donnell, Rhianna Barrett, Caoimhe McCarron, Jemma Barrett, Genevieve Norris, Emma McCloskey
SUBS: Amylee Burt, Neamh Given, Anna Clarke, Oonagh Pancott, Eabha Coyle, Roise McDevitt, Aoibhin Dolan, Cobhlaith Murphy, Mollie Starrs, Nora McCloskey, Keira McGuigan, Cora Walsh
Cobhlaith Murphy on the attack for Drumragh on Monday evening
