Drumbaragh 5-19 St.Peters,Dunboyne 3-13
It was goals, goals, goals as Drumbaragh played host to Dunboyne’s second string in Round 7 of the league on Thursday night.
It was the visitors who started the brighter, two points in quick succession , Jake Balfe was also tested early on to prevent a certain goal. Liam Ward and Conor Lynch pointed either side of Balfe’s save. The scores kept coming on both sides in a frenetic first-half, William Carry rattled the net after a neat move involving Shea McManus and Colm Carry. Then Drumbaragh dropped a ball short into the Dunboyne keeper’s arms and within 10 seconds Dunboyne had raised a green flag of their own – clinical on the counter.
William Carry rattled the net after a neat move involving McManus and Colm Carry. Carry came close to netting again but had to settle for a point. Before the ink dried on Barry Monaghan’s jotter, Carry bagged a second goal from the tightest of angles (all within 90 seconds to be exact!)
The Drums welcomed back Meath U20 star Hughie Corcoran, and he gave an exhibition in point-taking in the opening half. His goal on 24 minutes, Drumbaragh’s third, topped off a fine return – 1-05 for Hughie for the half. Not to be outdone by his cousin’s return, Conor Lynch continued a fine league campaign with an opening-half 1-04, including a sensational effort from the sideline.
It certainly was a half to be a forward, with chances aplenty in this open affair. Lynch, Corcoran, McManus all pointing. Despite Drumbaragh’s scoring exploits, Dunboyne hung on doggedly and an absolute rocket on 23 minutes rattled Balfe’s net – a warning to the hosts of Dunboyne’s quality. The home side eleven to the good at the break – 4-13 to 2-08.
Two minutes into the second half, and that man Lynch scored his side’s fifth major after some fine work from Shea McManus. Hughie sailed over back-to-back points, before Colin Forde and Liam Ward points made it 5-17 with eighteen minutes left to play.
Dunboyne reshuffled their pack and it had the desired effect – a seven minute purple patch saw the South Meath men register 1-04 without reply following a Paddy Murray black card. Dunboyne with plenty up their sleeves when given the space, their powerful running game causing plenty of concern to Davy Cahill’s charges.
It would be as close at the away side would get, as Drumbaragh broke their forward momentum thanks to the defensive work of Luke Fagan, Lewis O’Donnell and James McGovern. That work enabled William and Hughie to add to their impressive personal tallies at the other end, Drumbaragh seeing things out in a highly entertaining league encounter.
Best for Drumbaragh were William Carry, Hughie Corcoran, Conor Lynch and Colin Forde.
Drumbaragh scorers;
H.Corcoran 1-08, C.Lynch 2-04, W.Carry 2-02, L.Ward 0-02, S.McManus 0-01, C.Carry 0-01, C.Forde 0-01.
