Universal Graphics JFC Group 1 Round 2
Drumhowan 0-8 Currin 0-8
19/8/23
Two of the outside favourites to win the Junior Football Championship met in Páirc Mhic Eoin on Saturday as Drumhowan played Currin in a nervy affair.
The opening period were littered with wides as Drumhowan struggled to break down Currin’s defensive structure and Currin failed to capitalise on their limited opportunities to score on the break. It set the tone for what was to come.
Aodhan Brennan got the first score of the game for Drumhowan 6 minutes in by getting on the end of a good team move that got him into a scoring position. A minute later Currin got their first real opportunity. a penalty that full forward Tiarnan Kierans hurt himself in winning. It was subsquently saved by Drumhowan goalkeeper Enda Duffy, whose strong hand pushed the ball over the bar to level the scores. James Mc Adam put Drumhowan back in front a minute later with a simple score.
Drumhowan’s high press made it difficult for Currin to set up an attacking platform and the Scotshouse club had to work hard just to cross the half way line. Killian Mc Adam’s free kick after 17 minutes and 2 quick fire scores from James Mc Adam and Caolan Reilly saw Drumhowan lead by 4 points after 22 minutes.
After 23 minutes Ronan King finally got Currin’s first point from play off his right boot that got his side up and running before captain Enda Mc Caffrey scored a great point to make it 5 points to 3. In injury time the sides exchanged free kicks and Currin forward Conor Smyth was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge so Currin played the 2nd half with 14 men.
Drumhowan started the second half with a free from Killian Mc Adam that put them 3 in front. However, they would only score once more in the 2nd half which ultimately cost them the game.
Currin’s comeback started with a point in the 33rd minute with a point from Cian North in the 33rd minute and was followed by free kicks from Mc Quaid and Kierans to level the scores . Currin took the lead for the first time through midfielder Ciaran Mc Caffrey but failed to kick on with 15 minutes remaining.
The final point of the game came with just over 10 minutes to play, along range effort from James Mc Adam that saw Drumhowan draw level with Currin. Both sides missed chances in the closing stages and ultimately finished at eight points apiece.
Drumhowan: Enda Duffy, Darren Duffy, Niall Duffy, Ronan Duffy, Caolan Reilly 0-1, Owen Quinn, Kevin Mooney, Patrick Quinn, Ciaran Duffy, Aodhan Brennan 0-2 (1f), John Paul O’ Neill, Killian Mc Adam 0-2 (2f), James Mc Adam 0-2 Liam Mc Guirk 0-1, Daragh Mc Elearney Subs Conor Curran, Aiden Quinn, Jason Clarke.
