Drumragh U14 boys won again in the league on Saturday morning, beating Fintona away following another accomplished performance.
Drumragh had to play against Storm Kathleen in the opening 30 minutes. And as such, they needed to be on top of their game defensively. But they were. The full-back line of Mark Walsh, Oisin Walsh and Peter McGuigan started the game confidently, and dealt with a number of dangerous attacks from the home side. The forward line and midfield pair of Niall Gormley and James Gallagher also put the pressure on out the field, making it difficult for Fintona.
Fintona did eventually open the scoring with a point, but Drumragh responded quickly through Matt Gallagher after a good pass from James Gallagher.
After Fintona went ahead again, Lorcan Starrs brought the teams level once more after Conor Murray had won the ball back in defence, and started a counter-attack.
Fintona scored 1-2 unanswered, but Drumragh did so well to claim back the lead before half-time. Eamon Barrett did brilliantly to win the ball ahead of the Fintona goalkeeper, Eamon was then fouled and Conor Fyffe stepped up and buried his penalty. Not long after Matt Gallagher split the posts from a free after Lorcan Starrs had been fouled, while a James Gallagher goal meant Drumragh led by a point at the break. That goal came at the end of a flowing Drumragh move involving Cayal Cafferkey, Che Corry and Ollie Hagan.
Conor Fyffe, Drumragh’s captain, with the Fintona captain and referee ahead of the throw-in
Now playing with the aid of the elements, Drumragh increased their lead at the start of the second half. Lorcan Starrs was on target while Matt Gallagher also scored a great point from play when Ollie Hagan played him in.
Fintona were always a danger on the counter, and Drumragh needed goalkeeper Lorcan McDevitt to be alert to clear away a couple of dangerous balls into the square. Oisin Walsh and Peter McGuigan were called upon to stop a few Fintona attacks as well.
With Eoin Clarke, Ruairi Doherty, Arthur Barrett, Eoin Boyle and Ronan Barton all coming on as substitutes, Drumragh finished the game on the front foot to secure the win.
Conor Fyffe scored Drumragh’s third goal of the game, and from the kickout that followed, Lorcan Starrs won possession, fed Eamon Barrett who coolly slotted past the home goalkeeper.
Conor Fyffe added a couple of points from play while Matt Gallagher made no mistake from a placed ball.
Fintona kicked a free, but Matt Gallagher replied for Drumragh with a nice point after Arthur Barrett, Cahir Keyes and Niall Gormley had created the chance.
Drumragh continued to put in a tremendous defensive effort, typified by Conor Murray who bravely blocked a goal-bound effort from a Fintona attacker. They did get in for their second goal in injury time but it was Drumragh who got the win once the final whistle was blown.
SCORERS: Conor Fyffe 2-2, Matt Gallagher 0-5, James Gallagher 1-0, Eamon Barrett 1-0, Lorcan Starrs 0-2
TEAM: Lorcan McDevitt, Mark Walsh, Oisin Walsh, Peter McGuigan, Conor Murray, Conor Fyffe, Cayal Cafferkey, James Gallagher, Niall Gormley, Eamon Barrett, Matt Gallagher, Che Corry, Cahir Keyes, Ollie Hagan, Lorcan Starrs
SUBS: Arthur Barrett, Ronan Barton, Ruairi Doherty, Eoin Boyle, Eoin Clarke, Fergal Pearson, Senan McManus
Drumragh midfielder Niall Gormley in possession during the win over Fintona on Saturday morning
