A goal from Ryan Baxter with the last kick of the game secured Drumragh minor boys a point away to Dungannon on Sunday afternoon. It’s not the first time this season that this Drumragh team have secured a result from the final act of a game, showcasing once again their determination and a refusal to give in.
It was the home side who struck first with an early goal, but Ryan Baxter responded for Drumragh with a nice point after good play from half-back Carraig McKenna. Oran Barrett then started a counter-attack in the full-back line that led to a converted free from Aidan McCarney after Rory Dolan had been fouled.
Dungannon kicked a couple of scores on the bounce, while Aidan McCarney was on target with a free for Drumragh again after a foul on Conor Gormley. Dungannon increased their lead with goal number two, but Drumragh were coming into the game more and managed to reduce the gap before half-time.
A good ball inside from Dylan Lowry was caught by Ryan Montgomery, who took his man on before being fouled. Ryan sent the resulting free over the bar himself.
Dara Cox then got in for Drumragh’s first goal, after a patient team move involving Frankie Monk, Niall Maguire and Ryan Montgomery. Dara still had plenty of work to do when he received the ball, but finished expertly to the bottom corner of the net. An Aidan McCarney point, after a combination of Rory Dolan and Conor Gormley had created the opportunity, meant Drumragh trailed by the minimum at the break.
Drumragh captain Niall Maguire with the referee and opposing captain before the start of the game in Dungannon
Drumragh made a confident start to the second half. James Fyffe drove past his marker along the endline. James was fouled before he was able to get his shot off, but Aidan McCarney tapped the free over the bar to bring the sides level. Aidan then put Drumragh in front for the first time in the game with a good score from play.
Dungannon answered back, but Drumragh went ahead once again when Rory Dolan and James Fyffe set up Conor Gormley for an excellent point from distance. However, a third goal put the home side in the ascendency.
It was a high-quality game that had exciting action at both ends of the pitch. Lorcan McGrath, Connor McLaughlin and Shea Mullin defended well for Drumragh and were able to start a number of attacks with important turnovers.
The sides went score-for-score for a time, with Ryan Montgomery on target twice for Drumragh. One was from a free, and the other was a great point from play after Matthew Barrett and Ryan Baxter had played him in. A foul on Ryan Baxter also allowed Aidan McCarney split the posts from a free.
All that left Dungannon with a three-point lead in injury time. Pushed forward by Sean O’Doherty, Niall Maguire and Oisin McManus, Drumragh went looking for the goal they needed and the Dungannon defence were able to clear a number of dangerous attacks. But Drumragh had one more chance. From a high ball in, Conor Gormley got a touch to the ball, diverting it into the path of Ryan Baxter who fired low into the net. A point apiece then after a hugely entertaining game.
SCORERS: Aidan McCarney 0-6, Ryan Baxter 1-1, Ryan Montgomery 0-3, Dara Cox 1-0, Conor Gormley 0-1
TEAM: Sean O’Doherty, Connor McLaughlin, Lorcan McGrath, Oran Barrett, Carraig McKenna, Niall Maguire, Frankie Monk, Aidan McCarney, Rory Dolan, Conor Gormley, Ryan Baxter, Shea Mullin, James Fyffe, Ryan Montgomery, Dylan Lowry
SUBS: Dara Cox, Matthew O’Doherty, Joseph Taggart, Oisin McManus, Matthew Barrett
Drumragh’s Carraig McKenna looks to make a pass during the league game in Dungannon
