Drumlane Under 14’s made the long trip away to Mullagh last Thursday evening to secure a hard-fought and valuable pair of points against Cuchullains.
This was the Under 14’s first competitive match of the season and the adapted well to the “bigger field” and the newly introduced two-touch football.
Unfortunately, their luckless centre-back Francis Lunney was not playing due to an ankle injury.
Drumlane began well playing with the wind in the first half, and registered a few early scores to calm the nerves with wing back Donal Monaghan opening the score with a well-taken goal.
Cuchullains battled hard and kicked a few points themselves to even it up the game.
A long ball from Ryan Connolly found full-forward Ciarán Keaney lurking on the edge of the ‘square’ who got a hand to it and it ended up in the back of the net.
Drumlane looked comfortable as the break approached but the hosts got a boost when they fired in a goal after some creative play up the wing just before the break.
(Drumlane lead Cuchullains at half-time)
After the break both teams looked more focused as they came at each other strongly.
Drumlane were saved on a number of occasions by the full-back line as players got sucked up the field and their ‘keeper Fionan Janowitz was solid on his debut as he commanded the back lines.
A few points were slotted over by Ryan Connolly and a long-range effort from midfielder Brian McKiernan to give the visitors a slight advantage going into the last ten minutes.
But Cuchullains never gave up, scoring 1-2 in quick succession.
Brian McKiernan sustained a head injury as he collided with an opponent and was replaced by Jason Burns. Philip King at corner-back also got injured and was replaced by Michael O’Reilly.
Drumlane’s superior fitness levels showed in the closing stages as they continued running forward and grabbed a few late scores to finish off the game.
Team: Fionan Janowitz, Declan Burns, Declan Lunney, Philip King, Donal Monahan(1-0), Kian Monahan(c), Seamus King, James Dolan, Brian McKiernan(0-1), Ciarán Seagrave, Ryan Connolly(1-4), Killian McKiernan, Cian Maguire, Ciarán Keaney(1-1), Jack Dufton.
Subs Used: Jason Burns, Michael O’Reilly
Next Match against Ballinagh at Home in Milltown on Thursday 9/4 Time TBC
