Drumragh minor boys suffered a tough defeat to Coalisland in the league quarter-final at Clanabogan on Monday evening.
A brilliant game of football, it needed extra-time to decide a winner.
James Fyffe got the scoring underway with a mark. That came at the end of a good team, started by Carraig McKenna in the defence, with Connor McLaughlin, Frankie Monk and Aidan McCarney all involved, and James applying the finish.
Coalisland quickly equalised, but Drumragh went back in front with an Aidan McCarney free after Conor Gormley had been fouled. Again Coalisland hit back with a point, but another foul on Conor saw Drumragh awarded a penalty and Aidan made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The away side scored a goal of their own not long after, and Drumragh needed strong defending from Matthew Barrett, Lorcan McGrath and Shea Mullin in the full-back line as Coalisland threatened a number of times.
The sides swapped scores before the end of half with Ryan Montgomery converting a free for Drumragh.
Drumragh captain Niall Maguire with the referee and Coalisland captain before the start of the game
Drumragh made a confident start to the second half. Niall Maguire came up from the half-back line to kick a super score from play, Matthew Barrett’s pass created an opportunity for Aidan McCarney to score – which he did – while Aidan added a terrifc effort shortly after. Ryan Montgomery was also on target from a free after a strong run upfield from Carraig McKenna had been stopped illegally.
But back came Coalisland, and they reduced the deficit with two points in quick succession. Drumragh responded in impressive fashion, however. Ryan Montgomery won a kickout, drove forward before being fouled, with Aidan McCarney sending the resulting free between the posts.
Conor Barrett added a point after good play from Ryan Baxter, Oisin McManus and Rory Dolan, while Aidan McCarney answered another Coalisland score with a 45.
Coalisland got in for their second goal of the game, setting up a grandstand finish.
Both sides pushed for a winner with Connor McLaughlin, Sean O’Doherty and Joseph Taggart getting up well to support the Drumragh attack. But despite another point from Ryan Montgomery, the game headed to extra-time.
Coalisland applied pressure early in extra-time and quickly went in front. But brilliant defending from Lorcan McGrath, Carraig McKenna and Matthew Barrett meant the sides were level again at half-time of extra-time thanks to a free from Ryan Montgomery after Ryan Baxter had been fouled.
Coalisland scored three points at the start of the second half. Drumragh pushed to get the goal they needed to force penalties, but weren’t able to do so despite a great effort from every player throughout the 80-plus minutes.
SCORERS: Aidan McCarney 1-5, Ryan Montgomery 0-4, James Fyffe 0-1, Niall Maguire 0-1, Conor Barrett 0-1
TEAM: Sean O’Doherty, Shea Mullin, Lorcan McGrath, Matthew Barrett, Connor McLaughlin, Niall Maguire, Carraig McKenna, Conor Gormley, Aidan McCarney, Rory Dolan, Ryan Montgomery, Oisin McManus, James Fyffe, Conor Barrett, Frankie Monk
SUBS: Joseph Taggart, Ryan Baxter, Matthew O’Doherty
Oisin McManus drives forward for Drumragh during the game on Monday
