Drumragh U16 boys qualified for the championship semi-final with a win over Kildress on Sunday
Drumragh………………..3-9
Kildress…………………1-13
An injury-time goal from Cormac Dolan saw Drumragh U16 boys progress to the championship semi-final after an exciting and high-quality game against Kildress at Clanabogan on Sunday.
A strong second half display from the visitors saw them overturn a seven-point deficit to lead with time almost up. But the Drumragh players never let their heads drop, kept going and got their reward with that late goal.
The game’s first score came from a placed ball for Kildress but Kian Murphy quickly made it level with a nice point after good play from Aaron Lynch and Blaine Feeney.
Kildress kicked a 45 to go back ahead but Drumragh responded to that with a goal from Kian Murphy. Ben Monk did really well to force a turnover, he then laid the ball off to Kian who showed good strength to create the goal opportunity and finish past the goalkeeper.
Brendan Quinn made a good block to deny Kildress a goal of their own while Carraig McKenna and Cormac McCann also came up with some vital interceptions.
The teams swapped points with Ben Monk and Aaron Lynch combining to set up Cormac Dolan for a Drumragh score. Kian Murphy then tapped over a free after he had been fouled himself. That move had started with a brilliant catch at midfield from Ryan Montgomery and a good pass inside from Aaron Lynch.
Ryan McCrystal made two excellent saves in a short space of time as Kildress looked to get back into the game.
Frees from Niall McCarney and Kian Murphy sandwiched a point from play by Kildress before Aaron Lynch got Drumragh’s second goal after Ben Monk had an effort saved.
Kildress almost got in for an instant response but an important turnover from Cahir McAnenly protected Drumragh’s seven-point lead at half-time.
Drumragh goalkeeper Ryan McCrystal made a couple of excellent saves against Kildress at Clanabogan
Kildress immediately scored a point on the restart while the Kildress goalkeeper made a good save from Kian Murphy as the second half got off to a hectic start.
The away side added a free before Kian Murphy got Drumragh going in the second half with a placed ball after Niall McCarney had been fouled. Kian soon got a great point from play after he was found by a good pass from Blaine Feeney.
A goal and two points brought Kildress back to within a point but the lead was extended when Ben Monk set up Kian Murphy whose shot was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper. He also stopped Aaron Lynch and Eoin Coyle from scoring goals with a couple of smart saves. Drumragh had good defending from Niall McCarney, Brendan Quinn and Oran Devlin as the game neared its conclusion.
Kildress kicked a free but Drumragh came back up the other end of the pitch with a Niall Maguire pass allowing Kian Murphy to score again.
Three points-in-a-row put Kildress in front entering injury time and it looked like that would be enough for them to advance to the last four. But up stepped Cormac Dolan. Kian Murphy was fouled in a scorable position but he spotted Cormac in a bit of space and made the quick pass to him. Showing no panic or pressure, Cormac coolly slotted the ball past the Kildress goalkeeper.
Drumragh still had to withstand one last Kildress attack but did so with Matthew O’Donnell doing really well to win the ball back. The referee then blew the final whistle to the delight of the Drumragh players, management and supporters, deservedly securing a place in the semi-final where they will face Fintona.
Scorers: Kian Murphy 1-7, Cormac Dolan 1-1, Aaron Lynch 1-0, Niall McCarney 0-1
Team: Ryan McCrystal, Carraig McKenna, Oran Devlin, Brendan Quinn, Cahir McAnenly, Cormac McCann, Matthew O’Donnell, Blaine Feeney, Niall McCarney, Ben Monk, Eoin Coyle, Ryan Montgomery, Aaron Lynch, Kian Murphy, Cormac Dolan
Kian Murphy scored Drumragh’s opening goal on Sunday
