Drumragh ladies beat Mna Na Deirge in the league on Friday night in Castlederg
Mna Na Deirge…………..2-8
Drumragh………………..5-11
Drumragh ladies picked up their first win of the season with a fully-deserved 12-point victory over Mna Na Deirge in Castlederg on Friday night.
It was a game played in absolutely horrible conditions, but Drumragh made light of this to put in a really good performance.
They never trailed throughout and had the lead only 10 seconds in. Neamh Woods won the ball from the throw-in, drove through the Mna Na Deirge defence, laid the ball off to Beth Donaghy who kicked the ball over the bar.
Mna Na Deirge were briefly level but Drumragh regained the lead with their first goal, from corner forward Ella Smyth. Beth Donaghy added a free from a tight angle as Drumragh took control of the game.
The Drumragh defence, led by Joanne Barrett and Coblaith McKenna, were excellent giving the Mna Na Deirge forwards little space or time on the ball, forcing numerous turnovers.
Grace O’Neill caused problems for the home defence all game and not long after forcing the Derg goalkeeper into a good save, she got the goal she deserved with a fine finish following another strong run.
Beth Donaghy goaled not long after and Drumragh were in a really strong position at half-time, leading 3-3 to 0-4, Ella Smyth the scorer of the third point.
Grace O’Neill scored 2-2 for Drumragh ladies on Friday night
The second half went on a similar path to the first. Grace O’Neill opened the scoring with a point from play and Beth Donaghy soon added another after she was set up by Josephine Quinn.
At the other end of the pitch, there was no let-up in the defensive effort and Drumragh goalkeeper Eva McCaul made a good save to deny Mna Na Deirge a goal, ten minutes into the half.
Neamh Woods scored an excellent point following a brilliant team move that started with Breanna Breslin in the full-back line.
Mna Na Deirge scored 1-1 in quick succession but any threat of a comeback was soon ended with a further point from Beth Donaghy and a goal from Clodagh Loughran.
As the match neared the end, Drumragh pulled further ahead with Grace O’Neill getting her second goal. She added a point too, as did substitute Clare McGread, Julieanne Quinn and Clodagh Loughran, Clodagh’s effort a wonderful score from near the sideline.
The Derg got in for their second goal but it was only a consolation and come the final whistle, Drumragh were convincing winners. It was a really positive performance and a great response to last week’s disappointment.
Scorers: Grace O’Neill 2-2, Beth Donaghy 1-4, Ella Smyth 1-1, Clodagh Loughran 1-1, Neamh Woods 0-1, Clare McGread 0-1, Julieanne Quinn 0-1
Team: Eva McCaul, Breanna Breslin, Joanne Barrett, Saoirse Mullin, Coblaith McKenna, Josephine Quinn, Emma Harkin, Neamh Woods, Laura Harkin, Shannon Starrs, Beth Donaghy, Grace O’Neill, Ella Smyth, Clodagh Loughran, Julieanne Quinn
Subs: Maria Harkin, Sorcha McKenna, Clare McGread
Emma Harkin was part of an impressive Drumragh defence against Mna Na Deirge in Castlederg on Friday
