Goal-den touch puts Drumraney NS in seventh heaven

Drumraney NS 7-12 Moyvore NS 4-15 (AET)

By Gerry Buckley

The word ‘pulsating’ doesn’t even come close when trying to summarise the wonderful opening game from the five-match programme in TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday of last week, when Drumraney NS edged out Moyvore NS after extra-time.

Scores came thick and fast from the first whistle. Moyvore NS, who also filled the runner-up spot last year, started the better and they led by 1-4 (Mason Ruddy Murphy’s third-minute goal, and four points from Fionn McLoughlin, including two frees) to 0-1 (a Shane Convey free) midway through the first moiety.

However, Drumraney took control in the second quarter and they outscored their opponents by 3-5 to 0-1, to lead by 3-6 to 1-5 at the interval. The winners’ three goals were scored by Kate Convey (two) and Shane Convey (one), while their white flags were shared by the same two players, Shane (two, including a free), Kate (two from play), and also Rory Callaghan (one), with Jon Creagh Dillon on target for Moyvore.

The yo-yo nature of the gripping contest continued on the change of ends. Two more points from Shane Convey (the first from a free to open second half scoring) brought his side’s tally to 3-8, but 1-6 from the losers (Ruddy Murphy 1-3, McLoughlin two points - one each from play and a free, and a Creagh Dillon free) had them on 2-11, and thereby on level terms at the end of the third quarter.

There was still no separating the sides ten minutes later, with both of them scoring an additional 2-3. Drumraney’s scores came via Callaghan (1-0), Conor Buckley (1-1), and Shane Convey (two frees), while Moyvore’s came courtesy of McLoughlin (2-1), and Creagh Dillon (0-2). At the end of 40 memorable minutes, the scoreboard read: Drumraney NS 5-11 Moyvore NS 4-14.

Tired but brave players continued to give their all for their respective schools in five minutes each-way extra-time. However, Drumraney’s victory was all but secured in the first period by a brace of goals from Buckley and a point from the boot of Callaghan. The gallant losers’ only response was a converted ‘35’ by McLoughlin. There was no further scoring in the second period.

After the match, Derek Butler, the chairperson of Cumann na mBunscol na hIarmhí, presented the trophy to the winning captains, Conall Galvin, Callan Reddin and Samuel Downes.

Player of the match: Kate Convey (Drumraney NS). Her energy all over the pitch was infectious and she chipped in with a tally of 2-2 from open play for good measure.

Scorers – Drumraney NS: C Buckley 3-1, S Convey 1-7 (0-5f), K Convey 2-2, R Callaghan 1-2. Moyvore NS: F McLoughlin 2-8 (0-3f, 0-1‘35’), M Ruddy Murphy 2-3, J Creagh Dillon 0-4 (1f).

Drumraney NS panel: Lorcán Leech, Zoe Convey, Jack Kelly, Dillon Murtagh, William Cunningham, Layla Fahey, Conor Buckley, Shane Convey, Lúcás Molloy, Kate Convey, Callan Reddin, Bradley Savage, Conall Gavin, Emily McDonnell, Rory Callaghan, Samuel Downes.

Moyvore NS panel: Róisín Rooney, Elih Kelly Coyne, Jon Creagh Dillon, Luke Kiernan, Fionn McLoughlin, Aoife Stephenson, Mason Ruddy Murphy, Nova Kelly Coyne, Frankie Fleming, Owen Finn.

Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).

*See this week's print edition for a special 20-page supplement on the Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol finals.