Drumaness Mills Beat Islandmagee In Clarence Cup R4 Match
Clarence Maynes Cup Round 4,
Venue: Wilbourne Park, Antrim. Saturday 9th March,
Islandmagee 1 3. Drumamness Mills.
Drumanenss Mills went a goal down just after two minutes to Islandmagge and it knocked the wind clean out of their sails, but they recovered well to win maintaining a well-disciplined performance against Islandmagee writes Jim Masson ©.
Joel McMurtry found himself just outside the back of the Drumaness box and unleashed a shot which found the top corner of the net giving Drumaness keeper Conor McGourty no chance.
The visitors tried to claw back a goal and made several attempts, firstly with a great run by Eoin Rooney then Jack Montgomery ran down the right wing and crossed the the waiting forwards Adam Kearney and Peter Brannigan who almost nicked the ball past Islandmagee keeper Oliver Fleetham.
Islandmagee stepped up the attacks on the Drumaness goal for the best part of the first half but Drumaness ensured they did not go down a second goal and kept their nerve.
Drumaness did have opportunities such as when workhorse Adam Kearney on the left wing hit a low volley but it was well held by keeper Fleetham.
The Drumaness back line held well against a steady charge from Islandmagee and Rory Deegan in the right back spot made a couple of good interceptions.
At one point NcMurtry broke through and hit an excellent shot on target but keeper McGourty made an equally fine save.
On 28 minutes Eoin Rooney broke loose and went 1 to 1 with Islandmagee keeper Fleetham, the later coming off worse in the crunch in front of goal, but he recovered to continue play.
Islandmagee came back into the match looking to get another goal before half-time and certainly played at pace. Andrew Paisley on the left wing almost scored when he hit the side net shooting at an acute angle, forcing McGourty to scramble to get the ball under control in front of his goal.
But captain Gary Murdock’s players showed their class through good discipline and when they made several attempts at the Islandmagee goal at the end of the first half, their efforts finally paid off.
The Drumaness No 9 Eoin Murray was fouled in the penalty box and referee Kieran Coulter pointed to the penalty spot. Daniel Bell stepped up and took the shot well throwing the keeper to the left and his ball hit the right corner low. The first half had run over to 45+7 due to injury time.
This was a crucial turning point for the visitors who went into the changing room feeling a lot more confident.
The second period started with Islandmagee making consistent surges forward but the Drumaness back line was solid and contained the threats.
Then Adam Kearney, who was quite relentless through the whole match, found himself within striking distance of the goal on the left and unleashed a sold volley which found the top back post corner of the Islandmagee net on 49 minutes, early in the second half.
Drumaness were on the front foot now and there was a marked difference in the confident play.
From the general play, it seemed that Drumaness had a wealth of players who could create opportunities and score.
The game was already difficult in that the players were playing in a very cold blustery wind with driving rain, but then it became more confrontational and physical with stoppages for injuries which did not help the flow of play.
Drumaness seemed more confident as the game progressed. Islandmagee were being contained by the visitors’ back line and their midfield too seemed to be better coordinated.
Andrew Paisley hit a cracker on target but Drumaness keeper McGourty saved it well. Play for about twenty minutes looked quite balanced.
Drumaness were finding more opportunities as the game progressed. Eoin Murray made a great pass to Ryan Kidd who hit well on target but Fleetham was on the ball in goals.
One notable attack saw Joe Healy pass through to Adam Kearney whose shot missed the post into the side net.
Gradually you could feel Drumaness putting on the squeeze on Islandmagee despite the home sides’ many unsuccessful attacks.
Peter Brannigan also made a great volley and hit the side new, just off target.
Then finally Drumaness seized their chance when a defensive error saw possession go to the visitors and Kearney nabbed the ball, ran forward and chipped the ball over the defenders to Thomas McNeill who headed delicately in to the back post on 74 minutes.
The game was effectively over then. Islandmagee did make a few rushes at the Drumaness goals but were well contained.
Eoin Murray did miss an clear goal opportunity to totally bury Islandmagee a few minutes after McNeill’s goal but hit over the top bar.
And Peter Brannigan too shot while flanked by two defenders and also went over the bar from inside the box.
Then just before the final whistle, Drumaness defender Rory Deegan went down with an ankle injury which saw him painfully cripple off the pitch.
Overall this was an excellent win for Drumaness Mills against Islandmagee who were on their home turf and manager Ciaran Brannigan was delighted with the result.
It was at time a difficult match to referee and Keiran Coulter dished out three yellow cards to the home side, and two to the visitors. It was a competitive game, for a coveted place in Round 5 in the Clarence Maynes Cup. But also both teams are closely placed in the NAFL Premier League.
Islandmagee FC: 21 Oliver Fleetham GK 2 Andrew Thomas 3 Dean Watson 4 Arron Anderson 5 Dylan Hanley 6 Paul Waite (C) 7 Jack Montgomery 8 Ross McGimpsey 9 Joel McMurtry 10 Matthew Johnston 11 Andrew Paisley. Subs: 12 Nicholas Baird 14 Scott McBride 15 Alexander Hawthorne.
Drumaness Mills: 1 Conor McGourty GK 2 Rory Deegan 3 Keegan Domican 4 Thomas McNeill 5 Gary Murdock (C) 7 Eoin Murray 8 Joe Healy 9 Eoin Rooney 10 Ryan Kidd 11 Adam Kearney 17 Peter Brannigan. Subs: 12 Lewie Soar 15 Daniel Bell 18 Lewis Casement.
