With newborn lambs in the fields and the first day of the senior league campaign over Spring has officially arrived. The seniors ran out winners in the opening day of the football campaign, beating Craigbane in an explosive encounter.

Five points from the boot of Ciaran Mullan, a goal from Danny O’Connor and a brace of points from Jonathan Irwin, Pierce McNickle, Ryan Mullan and Martin Mullan secured the victory by a margin of 5 points. The halftime score could have been even more flattering for the seniors had they taken all their chances. Pierce McNickle at the start of the half and Jonathan Irwin at the end blasted the ball over the bar when the net was calling.

Drumsurn and Craigbane both played attractive fast flowing football that was reflected in the high score line. Some silly mistakes by both teams cost them dearly and as the tension mounted it was reflected on the pitch by a large number of, off the ball incidents.

All in all a good day at the office was had by the seniors and if they continue in this vein things will look promising for the rest of the season.

There were big performances all over Billy Doran Park today. Cahir Mullan and cousin Martin were in outstanding form. Michael Coll took the battle to Craigbane and paid dearly, receiving a facial injury that saw him substituted 10 minutes from time. The full back line of Barry and Shane Moore, coupled with Dane Mullan were solid in their defending. Paul Butcher and Michael Archibald broke frequently from defence and with great effect. Damian Canning dominated the midfield battle in the first half. All six forwards were in fantastic form and each contributed to the score line. The pre-season training has stood them in good stead. Marty Plump even looks fast

The return encounter between these two teams in mid June will be one “not to miss”!

Playing with the wind in the first half the seniors got out of the blocks quickly with Pierce McNickle pointing with just two minutes gone. Another courtesy of Paul Butcher followed two minutes later. Craigbane scored their first point of the game on five minutes and straight from the kick out Ryan Mullan put two points between the teams. Brothers Martin and Ciaran Mullan then put a further two points on the scoreboard, (Martin’s from play, Ciaran’s from a forty-yard free kick).

Craigbane added a 2nd with ten minutes gone, but had Cahir Mullan not dive into the tackle this point could have been prevented. The St. Matthew’s forward line was quick and very alert. Pierce McNickle forced the Craigbane defence to concede a sideline ball in their own half and Ciaran Mullan put it over the bar from his hands. Straight from the kick out Drumsurn won a free kick that was taken quickly by Paul Butcher, finding Pierce McNickle who converted from twenty yards out. Cahir Mullan ran the show from defence and missed a good opportunity to put six points between the teams with only fifteen minutes on the clock.

For the next six minutes Craigbane put the Drumsurn defence under some immense pressure and were rewarded with two points, one from play and one from a free kick. Only for some fantastic defending by Shane Moore, Craigbane could have scored even more in this period.

Martin Mullan scored his second point of the match with twenty-two minutes gone. This was followed by two missed chances. Danny O’Connor failed to convert a twenty-one yard free kick and Ciaran Mullan failed to convert from further out. With one minute of the half remaining Danny made up for his earlier mistake by finding the net from a shot that came off the crossbar. With thirty minutes on the clock Craigbane scored their final point of the half, again from a 21 yard free. Jonathan Irwin brought the half to a close when he converted a point that had goal potential.

Half Time: Drumsurn 1-9 Craigbane 0-5

The first twenty minutes of the second half saw Drumsurn struggle to dominate in midfield. In this period Craigbane scored (0-6) in reply to Drumsurn’s (0-3). Damian Canning, Cahir Mullan and Ryan Mullan were all booked in this period.

Ryan Mullan scored his 2nd point of the game on thirty-five minutes. Danny O’Connor converted on thirty-seven minutes. The ball was won in defence by Michael Archibald and transferred to Ryan Mullan who was pulled down with an arm around the neck.

Craigbane scored the next four points, courtesy of some silly mistakes from Drumsurn. The gap now down to four points between the teams.

With ten minutes remaining on the clock Michael Coll was taken off with a serious facial injury and replaced by Christopher Harbinson. Barry Moore was substituted and the defence bolstered up by the introduction of Colm Feeny. Ciaran Mullan relieved some of the pressure by converting two consecutive points. One from play the other from a twenty-one yard free, won courtesy of Pierce McNickle.

With three minutes to go Craigbane converted another close range free. This was cancelled out from the boot of Ciaran Mullan on thirty minutes. Craigbane had the last say in this game converting yet another close range free before Paddy McErlain brought proceedings to a close.

This was a good start to the 2009 league campaign and hopefully sets the tone for the rest of the season. Some improvement is required but can be ironed out as the season progresses. Keep up the good work lads!!

We wish Micky Coll a speedy recovery and hope his injury isn’t too serious. The next game is away to Desertmartin on Easter Monday, all support would be much appreciated.

Drumsurn scorers
Stephen Harbinson, Barry Moore, Shane Moor, Dane Mullan, Cahir Mullan, Paul Butcher (0-1), Michael Archibald, Michael Coll, Damian Canning, Ryan Mullan (0-2), Ciaran Mullan (0-5), Jonathan Irwin (0-2), Martin Mullan (0-2), Pierce McNickle (0-2), Danny O’Connor (1-1)

Subs
Christopher Harbinson for Michael Coll (50 mins), Colm Feeny for Barry Moore (55mins).