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Drumragh Make It Through To Championship Semi
Saturday 19.09.2020
Drumragh Sarsfields are through to the semi finals of the LCC Junior Championship after a hard fought, turgid win over Castlederg at Newtownstewart on Saturday. Played in superb conditions the winners led 0-6 to 0-5 at half time but struggled for scores after the break before four late points edged them to a 0-11 to 0-8 win over the Derg.
After a bright opening from both sides points from Shane Devine and Shane Cleary gave Drumragh the start they were seeking before Sean Harper replied with a point for Castlederg. Harper and Eamaon Mc Cann swapped points to leave the score 0-3 to 0-2 after ten minutes. A brace of Tommy Mullin scores edged Drumragh three clear but Castlederg reduced the gap to one with points from Patrick Porter and Mark Corry. Man of the match Eamon Mc Cann pointed to put Drumragh two clear coming up to half time but the Derg went in a point behind following a second Patrick Porter point. Half time score Drumragh 0-6, Castlederg 0-5.
Mark Corry tied the game immediately after the break with his second point of the match. Thereafter the quality of the game dropped as both sides struggled to put together any chances of note and match referee Martin Mc Erlain was forced to issue several yellow cards following one or two over zealous challenges.
With both sides struggling for scores a draw and extra time looked a possibility but Drumragh hit something of a purple patch landing three points in a row from Tommy Mullin (2) and Cormac Norris. Mullin had earlier taken over the role of free taker following the withdrawal of Shane Cleary due to injury and showed considerable nerve to put his side three clear. Castlederg bounced back with a brace of Corry points as the game entered its closing stages.
Drumragh substitute Martin Taggart looked odds on to hit the net before a superb stop by Stefan Deery prevented a certain goal and kept the Derg in the contest. A slip by Drumragh keeper James Colgan almost resulted in a goal and the net minder was the most relieved man in Newtownstewart as he watched the ball bounce over his head and slide past the outside of his left hand post.
Buoyed by this escape Drumragh finished on the front foot and points from Malachy Mc Manus and Eamon Mc Cann secured the win and a place in the semi final where they will now face neighbours Drumquin Wolfe Tones.
Final score Drumragh 0-11, Castlederg 0-8.