Drumbaragh 3-06 Carnaross 0-13
Drumbaragh finally got the opportunity to host Carnaross in Round 3 of the league, after numerous failed attempts during monsoon season.
It was the hosts who tested out the brand-spanking new scoreboard within 30 seconds, Shea McManus rising highest from the throw-in linking well with county man Harry O’Higgins to find the evergreen William Carry for a point.
The Hoops soon levelled through the impressive Paddy McDermott. Drumbaragh losing O’Higgins early doors to an ankle issue gave the visitors a lift. Indeed, the away side scuppered a few gilt-edged chances to take the lead, leaving the door open for Drumbaragh to seize the advantage.
The tightly “marked” Conor Lynch pointed twice before a Liam Ward goal stretched the Drums’ lead. Carnaross finally found their range, reeling off the last three scores of the half. Drumbaragh’s influential centre-back Lewis O’Donnell was black-carded late in the half, things going Carnaross’ way. All square at the break 1-03 to 0-06.
Carnaross pointed on the resumption to get their noses in front. McDermott and the Yore brothers all growing into the game. And just as they had grown in belief, the battle-hardened Intermediate side netted on 35 minutes through Luke Fagan with another deadly counter-attacking raid.
With the game low on quality, scores were hard to by. Tackles were tough and tempers were tested under the early summer sun. Joe Carry, Kyle Dardis, Fagan and McManus working tirelessly in the engine-room, chasing and harrying their opponents. Not giving them time to settle in scorable positions.
Drumbaragh were guilty of not putting Carnaross to the sword, before the away side enjoyed a purple patch in the final quarter reeling off three scores in as many minutes to nose ahead by one. The Carnaross faithful were finding their voice once again . Credit to Drumbaragh, who weren’t operating at their usually high tempo, levelled again from a dead ball via Liam Ward.
The match winning move came through the Carry brothers. The experience of Peter finding William on one of his trademark runs to find the net for his side. The Drums deadly on the counter once again, as Carnaross committed numbers forward, reverting to a long ball strategy as time began to run out.
Carnaross huffed and puffed and had plenty of time, and opportunities, to get something from the game. But credit to cool heads of John Morrissey and Eamonn McGee at the back, they kept another clean sheet with two stand-out performances.
Best for Drumbaragh were William Carry, Eamonn McGee, Luke Fagan and John Morrissey.
Well done to all involved, two from two in the league and plenty of improvement to come.
Drumbaragh scorers;
L.Ward 1-03, W.Carry 1-01, L.Fagan 1-00, C.Lynch 0-02.
