Drumragh down the ‘Derg

Drumragh 0-17

Castlederg 2-5

By Paddy Hunter

DRUMRAGH recorded a six point win at Clanabogan Park on Friday night although in reality it could have been more.

Two goals in the final eight minutes glossed over a sluggish Derg performance for the most part.

The introduction of several substitutes through the second half boosted the visitors although Drumragh were dominant in all sectors and clinical in front of goal.

At the back there was little for Drumragh goalkeeper Sean O’Doherty to be concerned about. Eamonn Kerrigan and Aaron Montgomery were organised in defence, while midfielders Sean McGale and Niall McCarney were excellent over the hour and their the attack always carried a threat.

The Sarsfields led by eight points by the break as Castlederg rarely threatened through 30 minutes of football. A couple of wides and long range efforts that dropped short were all they had to show despite the best efforts of Blaine Lynch and Thomas McMenamin.

All they could muster in the first period was a close range Adam Traynor score.

Drumragh hit several wides before Aaron Montgomery landed a fine two pointer on five minutes. Crisp passes and movement opened up the Derg defence several times with points from Eoin Montgomery and Brendan Quinn putting them four clear on 15 minutes.

Winning the ball at the back McCarney got the attack going again for Ronan Maguire to tee up Montgomery before Castlederg’s pointed free from Traynor came on 23 minutes. Niall Maguire, McGale, Daniel O’Neill on the run and a second score for Quinn before the break had the Sarsfields well ahead.

A low scoring third quarter saw the home side hit several wides. McCarney did drive over a free, while efforts from Eoin Montgomery and O’Neill eased Drumragh eleven points clear.

Eoin McConnell, Darie Corry and Shay Leonard came off the bench for Castlederg and they improved things. Lynch, their most effective player, launched a mammoth two pointer from the right with 42 minutes played. A Drumragh goal chance was spurned before Mc Carney delivered a brace of points as they made four changes across the park.

Credit to St Eugene’s: McConnell hit a tidy two pointer while from the fluffed kick out Oisin Lynch was on target for a well placed goal, McConnell the provider. Points from Quinn and man of the match McCarney settled Drumargh again, although Blaine Lynch sent Traynor in for a rasping goal for the Derg with minutes to go.

A late McCarney point in injury time wrapped up the scoring as Drumragh ran out convincing winners.

Scorers

Drumragh: Niall McCarney (0-5), Brendan Quinn (0-3), Eoin Montgomery (0-3), Aaron Montgomery (0-2,tp), Daniel O’Neill (0-2), Niall Maguire and Sean McGale (0-1 each)

Castlederg: Adam Traynor (1-1), Oisin Lynch (1-0), Blaine Lynch (0-2,tp), Eoin McConnell (0-2,tp)

Teams

Drumragh: Sean O’Doherty, Carraig McKenna, Eamonn Kerrigan, Alex McGlinchey, Malachy McManus, Aaron Montgomery, Oran Devlin, Niall McCarney, Sean McGale, Brendan Quinn, Daniel O’Neill, Ben Monk, Niall Maguire, Eoin Montgomery, Ronan Maguire. Subs used: Eamonn McCann for N Maguire, Barry Fitzgerald for Mc Manus, Paddy Colgan for Monk, Kian Murphy for McGale, Conor Gormley for R Maguire.

Castlederg: Ryan McLaughlin, Andrew Crean, Conor Ramsey, Odhran Harvey, Ben Harper, Blaine Lynch, Niall Gallen, Jack Ramsey, Fintan Gallagher, Matthew Traynor, Thomas Mc Menamin, Jamee Doherty, Eoin Devine, Adam Traynor, Cealef McMenamin. Subs used: Daire Corry for E Devine, Eoin McConnell for T Mc Menamin, Shay Leonard for M Traynor Oisin Lynch for C McMenamin.

Referee: Justin McKenna