Drumaness Mills Reserves pipped at the post by a determined Downpatrick FC side
The Newcastle and District Amateur Footb,all League,
Kitroom Cup Quarter Final,
Venue: Meadowvale, Saturday 30th August 2025,
Final Score: Drumaness Mills 2 3 Downpatrick FC.
Drumaness Mills faced rivals Downpatrick at Meadowvale on Saturday and were unlucky to come away with a 2-3 loss given the match was a close affair for most of the time in the heavy rain writes Jim Masson.
But fair play to the visitors Downpatrick who challenged from the whistle and were relentless.
Early on Downpatrick showed their intentions in a quick attack when captain Josh Montgomery fired just over the Drumaness bar. Then a cross from Harry McCarthy saw Morgan McCoubrey’s shot on target saved by keeper Marc Reid.
After an initial burst by Downpatrick, Drumaness stepped up and attacked and Steven Rogan hit a low rocket at the vistor’s goal but the ball deflected off a defender’s leg.
Then in thge 28th minute in a scramble in the Downpatrick goalmouth, Philly Rogan slipped in and got the ball over the line from an Aaron Mooney cross to open the scoring.
Downpatrick then made some sything attacks fought back and McCarthy found space to launch a strike on target by Jack McMaster was there to block it.
Facing steady pressure from Downpatrick, Drumaness gave away a free kick but it was saved well by keeper Reid.
Drumaness clawed their way back up field and won two corners but Downpatrick hung on defending their net well.
The home side had a narrow edge going into the second half and as Downpatrick pushed forward with sustained pressure, Anthong Carson was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Shea Holland stepped up to the mark and hit to the top left hand corner levelling the match.
Downpatrick battled on and in an attack Connor Campbell was floored and temperatures were raised at this point but keeper Reid saved the free kick from just outside the box.
Six minutes later Downpatrick were pressing again they won a corner and after three kicks at the Drumaness goal being blocked, Shea Vaughan got possession and finally knocked the ball over.
Two minutes later a low ball to the back post from Nathan McAllister put the visitors 2 goals ahead on 1-3.
At this point the rain was lashing down and it was more like a winter’s day.
The Mills then broke forward trying to close the gap and James McGivern just went wide on a shot. But again Downpatrick pushed back strongly.
Peter Brannigan already on a yellow card was replaced by Lewie Soar. Downpatrick had been defending well and made life difficult for the Drumaness attackers.
The game turned into a dour struggle as the rain pelted down and in one minute in extra time the Mills pulled a goal back and a frantic push in the dying minutes of the match ensued as the home side scrambled for a draw, but it was not to be.
McAllister hit the ball off the goalkeeper and sub Steven Rogan hammered the rebound into the net on 90+1 minutes.
McAllister almost scored again as he hit the post and his second effort went off the keeper for a corner. for a late corner.
But in a final fling, Drumaness’ defender Sean McQuoid hit the Downpatrick side net just missing a goal opportunity.
The match ended with Drumaness winning a corner but Downpatrick clearing the ball safely upfield.
Downpatrick may just have had the edge in this match but both teams missed opportunities and final outcome could have been quite different!
Downpatrick FC now go on to the next final stages in the Kitroom Cup.
Drumaness Mills: 1 Marc Reid (GK) 2 Jamie Morgan 3 Owen Wright (C) 4 Sean McQuoid 5 Adam Garland 6 Peter Brannigan 7 Aaron Mooney 8 Daniel Bell 10 James McGivern 11 Jack McMaster 16 Philip Rogan. Subs : 9 Steven Rogan 12 Eoin Kearney 14 Shea Curran 15 Lewie Soar 17 Conor Dornan
Downpatrick FC: 1 Ruairi Murphy (GK) 2 Shea Vaughan 3 Ben Hynds 4 Shea Holland 5 Connor Campbell 6 Aaron Carberry 7 Nathan McAllister 8 Josh Montgomery (C) 9 Harry McCarthy 10 Anthony Carson 11 Morgan McCoubrey. Subs: 12 Conor Moore 14 William Taggart 15 Ryan Cassidy 16 Jack Hynds.
