Darragh stay at top of table

Darragh stay at top of table

22 June 2016

A STRONG finish saw league leaders Darragh Cross pull away from their Banbridge opponents in a generally scrappy game on Friday evening.

Darragh were forced to make five changes from the starting team from the week before and first half injuries to Marcus Miskelly and Oisin McConvey meant that the squad was tested further. However, those that came in all proved their worth.

A point from Matty Hardy opened the scoring before Barry Ward rifled over a second. Clann na Banna hit the front when a quick counter attack resulted in Rory Hill palming to the net.

A good solo score from midfielder Hardy levelled the game, before a Malachy Magee score at the opposite end.

Darragh ended the half well though, when a low diagonal ball from Mark McMahon found Marcus Miskelly who turned his man and drilled low to the corner of the goal. Frees from Lee Morrison and Shane Murray left Darragh ahead at half time by 1-5 to 1-1.

A lay off from Jarleth Flynn found Barry Ward who curled over the first score of the second half brilliantly. Daryl Heaney calmly slotted over to extend the lead to six. The West Down men were back in the game minutes later when their half forward was allowed to run across the Darragh defence before shooing high to the net.

Lee Morrison converted a free in reply, but patient build-up from the visitors brought about the next three points — all from the boot of midfielder Dean Lennon.

Darragh led by just one now, but minutes later a high ball towards goal wasn’t dealt with by the Clann keeper and Jarleth Flynn was on hand to punch to the net.

Clann na Banna pegged a point back, and then had the chance to level up the game with twelve minutes left when a forward evaded Darragh’s back line, but the powerful shot at goal from close range was well kept out by Rory Miskelly.

To compound Clan na Banna’s disappointment, Darragh went straight upfield and Lee Morrison split the posts with a fine score, before quickly adding a free.

Darragh saw it out comfortably in the end with two Flynn points from play and a Shane Murray free in the last ten minutes to extend their unbeaten run to eight.

Darragh had strong defensive performers in Tommy Hughes, James Murray, Micky Boyle and Joe McKinney, while Matty Hardy played a leading role in the middle of the park.

Barry Ward was lively and worked hard in attack, Shane Murray was a great outlet for carrying ball out of defence, while Lee Morrison was hard to handle for the Banbridge defence and Jarleth Flynn effective with a late rally of scores. Next up for Darragh is a trip to Annaclone this Friday.

Darragh Cross: R Miskelly, T Hughes, J McKinney, C Murray, J Murray, S Dineen, O McConvey, D Heaney (0-1), M Hardy (0-2), M McMahon, A McGrattan, S Murray (0-2, 2f), L Morrison (0-4, 3f), M Miskelly (0-1), B Ward (0-2). Subs used: M Boyle, J Flynn (1-2).

Darragh Cross 2-13

Clann na Banna 2-5

ACFL DIVISION 2