Honours even in fiesty encounter

Honours even in fiesty encounter

14 August 2013

THIS tetchy, turgid derby clash that promised a lot, but delivered little, proved to be a disappointing start to the new season at Meadowvale.

Referee Kieran McMahon had to issue seven yellow and one red card in a bid to keep order, but all this did was to add to the start-stop nature of the game that ended all square.

The Mills started like a runaway train and were a goal up after just five minutes. Sean McQuoid, who was given a licence to roam, drifted out into the middle of the park where he released Stevie Rogan down the right flank.

The former Kilmore captain took control of the ball as he entered the box and immediately squared it to new signing, Nathan Jones.

The young striker had it all to do and was immediately confronted by ‘keeper Michael McKenna, but he stayed composed and lifted the ball over the stranded custodian and into the net to give his side an early advantage.

Kilmore retaliated immediately and their goal came out of nothing two minutes later. The ball fell to Liam Graham, who had his back to goal a good 25 yards out. ‘Lambo’ swivelled and in the same movement volleyed the ball to the back of the net with a stunning strike.

Eoin Boyle had a chance to put Kilmore in front after 14 minutes, but he was denied by a brave intervention by Ryan Campbell.

Philip Rogan, Eoin Curran and Owen Wright all picked up bookings before Graham shot tamely at Campbell in the 27th minute after he had linked up well with Boyle. Three minutes later at the other end a deceptive free kick from Stevie Rogan drifted across the face of the goal, but there was nobody at at home to take advantage.

With 32 minutes gone a long ball out of defence from Aaron McGarry found Boyle racing into the box, but he was halted in his tracks by another timely intervention from Campbell.

The second half almost got away to a flyer when Karl Lewis and Andy Baggley combined to cave out an opening for Boyle, but he fluffed his lines when put on the spot.

Drumaness’ challenge then hit the skid pans when captain Conor Walsh received a straight red card after tangling with Baggley. This was the start of another untidy period of the game and Johnny Cheevers, Baggley and Lewis were all booked as tempers became frayed again.

With 78 minutes gone Rory McDonnell, who had replaced Graham, set-up Boyle for a golden chance inside the box, but the former Downpatrick FC striker was again out of luck.

Unfortunately, the game fizzled out after this with both sides seemingly happy to settle for a share of the spoils. Kilmore just couldn’t find a way past Gary Murdoch and the masterful Brendan Ward and at the other end Drumaness struggled to break down Mark Holland and Johnny Cheevers’ resistance

Drumaness Mills: R. Campbell, M. Savage, O. Wright, B. Ward, G. Murdoch, P. Walsh, P. Rogan, S. McQuoid, N. Jones, C. Walsh, S. Rogan. Subs: R. Mason, G. McEvoy, A. McGrattan.

Kilmore Rec: M. McKenna, A. McGarry, M. Miskelly, M. Holland, J. Cheevers, A. Baggley, K. Lewis, J. McKinney, E. Boyle, L. Graham, E. Curran. Subs: N. McCarthy, R. McDonnell, M. Hardy.

Drumaness Mills 1

Kilmore Rec 1

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