Drumragh minor girls enjoyed a hard-fought win over Drumquin in the league at Clanabogan on Tuesday evening. They had to withstand a determined second-half challenge from the visitors, but impressively seized back control with a couple of late goals to secure the win.
Drumragh made a confident start to the game and led through scores from Aine O’Donnell and Rhianna Barrett. Dana Coyle added a goal after a strong run, and she also scored a point after Drumquin had opened their account.
The away side created a number of goal chances and Drumragh were thankful to goalkeeper Katie McCann who made two wonderful saves, and Caitlin McCarron, who twice denied Drumquin with goal-line blocks.
A foul on Genevieve Norris allowed Rhianna Barrett to send a free over the bar, while Rhianna tagged on a nice score from play after good play from Cora Walsh and Lily O’Kane in defence started a Drumragh counter attack.
Drumquin scored a point, but Drumragh responded through the Barrett twins, Jemma and Rhianna, who hit a point from play each.
Cara Kerlin did brilliantly to win the ball in defence, and the ball was then moved upfield through the hands of Aine O’Donnell, Dana Coyle and Emma McCloskey and eventually came to Genevieve Norris. Genevieve’s initial shot was well saved by the Drumquin goalkeeper, but she was on hand to place the rebound into the back of the net.
Drumquin rallied before the end of the first half scoring five points in quick succession to close the gap. However, Drumragh got in for their third goal of the game just before the half-whistle with Genevieve Norris firing in an unstoppable shot for her second goal of the game.
Drumragh captain Grace McCusker with the Drumquin captain and referee before the start of the game
Drumquin made a strong start to the second half scoring 1-6 in its first 15 minutes. Drumragh’s response in this time came via a Rhianna Barrett free.
The momentum was very much with the visitors. But Drumragh did really well to turn that around and get themselves back into a winning position. There were some important defensive interventions from Cara Kerlin, Caitlin McCarron and Oonagh Pancott. And with Rihanna Mullin, Mairead Corrigan and Grace McCusker bombing forward when in possession, Drumragh were again starting to create chances.
Dana Coyle scored a brilliant goal after a fantastic run. And while Drumquin answered back immediately with one of their own, Drumragh soon increased their lead with Rhianna Barrett converting a free after good play from Cobhalith Murphy, Aine O’Donnell and Amylee Burt.
Drumragh’s fifth goal of the contest came soon after. Caoimhe McCarron’s clever pass sent Dana Coyle through on goal. Dana was fouled and Rihanna Mullin coolly converted the penalty. And that was enough for Drumragh to claim all three points following a very entertaining game.
SCORERS: Dana Coyle 2-1, Rhianna Barrett 0-6, Genevieve Norris 2-0, Rihanna Mullin 1-0, Aine O’Donnell 0-1, Jemma Barrett 0-1.
TEAM: Katie McCann, Cora Walsh, Lily O’Kane, Cara Kerlin, Caitlin McCarron, Rihanna Mullin, Grace McCusker, Dana Coyle, Mairead Corrigan, Aine O’Donnell, Rhianna Barrett, Caoimhe McCarron, Jemma Barrett, Geneveive Norris, Emma McCloskey
SUBS: Anna Clarke, Roisin Gormley, Amylee Burt, Neamh Given, Cara McManus, Mollie Starrs, Cobhlaith Murphy, Oonagh Pancott, Keira McGuigan, Roise McDevitt, Eabha Coyle
Drumragh’s Cara Kerlin fights for possession during the game at Clanabogan Park
