Drumaness Mills found two goals in second half to take the bragging rights
The NAFL,
Premier League match,
Venue Meadowvale on Saturday 2 5 25,
Final Score: Drumaness Mills 2 0 Kilmore Rec.
On a very hot day at Meadowvale, Drumaness Mills squared up to visitors Kilmore Rec who were promoted to the Premier league this season, and try as they did, both teams could not find that silver bullet to open the scoring and gain a psychological advantage until late in the second half when Drumaness struck twice.
The game enjoyed by a large contingent of spectators supporting both teams set off at a fair pace considering the heat. Declan Looney made a number of charges down the right wing and had a few near misses.
Callum Dougan too hit an early ball on target but Kilmore defender Christopeher Magee blocked the effort.
Then Alex Burtney a new signing for Drumaness next made a great run down the left crossed to Sean Og Gallagher who almost hit the back of the net.
Drumaness midfielder Peter Brannigan made a short pass to Dougan who turned and hit but was just inches wide.
Then Kilmore started pressing forward showing their metal and it was game on. Shay McGrattan almost got his toe to the ball to deflect in to the home goal but just missed the touch from the firm cross.
Gradually the team ssettled and the pace of the game quickened. Shay McGrattan struck a volley whick keeper Aaron Carberry deflected out for a corner then a short time later Conor Curran almost put the visitors ahead but was inches wide of the post.
Jack Sharvin who had been playing deep came into the game and a shot at the Kilmore goal was a fraction wide.
Given the local derby dimension, the tackles started to get more physical. Drumaness again came more into the game when Kilmore did not capitalise on the spell of dominance. Conor Curran made a vital clearance for Kilmore.
Jack Sharvin made an excellent cross to Declan Looney but the ball was just a yard in front of him for a possible goal opportunity in the box.
Christopher Magee almost scored with a backwards glancing header from corner but the ball went just over the top bar.
As the teams battled up and down the pitch, Thoams McNeill playing on the left made a great cross to Declan Lonney waiting at the back post but he just missed the chance to go one goal up on 42 minutes.
Then just before te half-time whistle, Kilmore made a huge effort pinning Drumaness back and excellent move by Dougan to McNeill saw Drumnaess captain Gary Murdock make a decisive clearance.
The second half was dogged with fouls as both teams struggled in the heat. Then Callum Dougan hit the bar in a strike from outside the Kilmore box.
Drumaness press for a spell and Jack Sharvin just miss the touch to toe the ball in for a goal. Both teams were having opportunities but timing and summer rust were showing but both teams will sharpen as the season and fitness progresses.
Afetr 15 minute sinto the second half it was all looking like a 0-0 draw then in the 68th minute Declan Looney waiting at the back post received a cross from Thomas McNeill and to made no mistake finding the back of the Kilmore net to open the scoring.
Then 3 minutes later as Drumaness piled on the pressure and sub Jonathan Murray too down Jack Sharvin in the box and a penalty was awarded. Sharvin steppe dup to the spot and nail solid kick past Laurence McGonagle putting Drumaness 2 goals in the lead.
Kilmore fought back and sub Fionn Mulhern hit a strike on target but it was saved by keeper Carberry.
And then a first for this season, a new rule saw Drumaness penalised for the keeper holding the ball longer than 8 seconds and a corner was awarded to Kilmore (which they did not convert.)
Into the last 5 minutes, Kilmore’s Joe Healy hit wide of the Drumaness post in a final fling.
Drumaness Mills has survived their first game without players Kearney, Watson and McCleary who were off injured and were delighted in starting their new season off on the right foot.
Drumaness Mills: 1 Aaron Carberry 2 Keegan Domican 3 Sean Paul Holland 5 Gary Murdock (C) 6 Peter Brannigan 7 Declan Looney 8 Sean Og Gallagher 9 Callum Dougan 10 Jack Sharvin 11 Thomas McNeill 16 Adam Garland. Subs: Anton McGrattan, Ryan Milligan, Sean Og Kelly.
Kilmore Rec: 1 Laurence McGonagle 2 James Mahoney 3 Connor Curran 4 Christopher Magee 5 Yaroslav Panfilov (c) 6 Cai Gemmel 7 Rhys Clarke 8 Joe Healy 9 Shay McGrattan 10 Caolan Conlon 11 Alex Burtney. Subs: Jonathan Murray 14 Michael Carvill. 15 Fionn Mulhern.
