Drumcliffe/Rosses Point get back on track

Back 01/05/2016 @ 13:19 | mainnews | Drumcliffe/Rosses Point get back on track
Furey’s Coaches SFL Division 2 - Saturday, April 30th, 2016
, Oxfield


Drumcliffe/Rosses Point 1-17 St Patrick’s 1-11.

Eight unanswered points in the closing 12 minutes proved decisive as Division 2 league leaders Drumcliffe/Rosses Point returned to winning ways with a six-point victory against St Pat’s at Oxfield.

In what was an open and entertaining hour of football, the west Sligo side asked plenty of questions of their opponents and were briefly in front going into the closing quarter of the game. However, driven on by the tireless Neil Ewing, the home team responded strongly , with seven different players finding the target in that period, and the re-introduction of corner forward Niall Collery, who’d earlier been substituted, also proving key.

The evening began on a poignant note - with an immaculately observed minute’s silence for Ann Canning, mother of DRP half forward Niall Canning, who passed away this week. And, as if it was written in the stars, from the throw-in, Niall got the game’s opening score in the opening minute. The team’s swapped points in the early stages before St Pat’s broke through for a goal in the ninth minute. Joe Curran’s incisive pass found corner forward Niall Connolly who finished to the net in style from close range.

Despite being beaten on that occasion, DRP teenage goalkeeper Ronan McCormack had a fine match. He produced two important saves, one in each half to deny St Pat’s certain goals.

DRP regained the lead on 16 minutes when veteran full-forward Paddy Gormley flicked Paul Logan’s speculative high ball to the net. 

The home side led 1-7 to 1-4 but St Pat’s always looked capable of finding scores through full forward Paul Boland, the lively Dean Mahon on the 40 and Connolly in the corner.

St Pat’s enjoyed their best spell of the match after the resumption with Boland converting frees, while midfielders Pierce Kearins and Padraic Clarke also found their scoring range. A Boland point from play on 44 minutes put Pat’s in front for the first time in the game.

But that seemed to spark Drumcliffe/Rosses Point into life again and they scored eight unanswered points in the last 12 minutes with midfielders Cian Lally and Brian Og Murphy; Kevin Davey, Seán Power and Neil Ewing all getting in on the act. Niall Collery who’d been taken off earlier in the game, was re-introduced for the last 10 minutes and he kicked two fine points to help DRP pull clear.

There were late Pat’s scores from Padraic Clarke and Boland - and Niall Connolly was presented with a goal chance in the penultimate minute of the match, only for corner back Ciaran McLoughlin intervene with a vital block. By then, Drumcliffe/Rosses Point had left enough breathing space to win on a final scoreline of 1-17 to 1-11. 

Teams

Drumcliffe/Rosses Point

Ronan McCormack, Ciaran McLoughlin, Dara Long, Jude McGarry, Jamie Gillen, Seán Power (0-1), Tommy Finnegan, Brian Óg Murphy (0-1), Cian Lally (0-3), Niall Canning (0-2), Paul Logan (0-4) Neil Ewing (Capt 0-1), Niall Collery (0-3), Paddy Gormley (1-1), Kevin Davey (0-1).
Subs used: Aaron McCormack for Tommy Finnegan, John McGowan for Paddy Gormley, Stephan Regan for Niall Colleary, Niall Colleary for Ógie Murphy.

St Patrick’s 

Conor Cadden, Shane Neary, Patrick Kevany, Ciaran Giblin, Jonathan Higgins, James Clarke, Andrew Kelly, Pierce Kearins (0-1), Padraic Clarke (0-2), Joe Curran, Dean Mahon (0-1), Donal Kilcullen, Ciaran Brady, Paul Boland (0-6 4f), Niall Connolly (1-1).

Referee: Gavin Cawley.