A game of two halves

The seniors secured a valuable league victory on Sunday at home to fellow table strugglers Faughanvale. They ran out winners on a score line of 2-09 to 0-14. This was a game of two completely different halves for the seniors. In the first they were dominant and rampant putting Faughanvale to the sword in every position on the park. In the second they looked nervous and vulnerable and were out-scored ten points to two and just about held on to the victory. Inconsistent refereeing decisions didn’t help the cause but players win matches and over the sixty minutes the seniors were good value for the victory.

The return of Micky Coll in midfield, Craig Chewing up front and Stephen Harbinson between the posts added much needed strength to the team. Stephen made a wonderful point blank save in the first half to deny the visitors a first half goal.

The defence, especially the full back line trio of Dane Mullan, Christopher Harbinson, Michéal Archibald were outstanding. The one-touch flowing football out of defence and aggressive tackling was a throw back to the start of the season. Dane Mullan even had time to popup on the forward line to kick a point.

Paul Butcher, Ciaran Ferris and Mark McLaughlin worked with the midfield pairing of Micky Coll and Pierce McNickle to ensure Faughanvale felt the full vigour of their attacks in the first half.

Up front Ciaran Mullan dominated, scoring 1-5. His goal was scored straight from the first half throw in that Micky Coll had won. The ball was pumped straight up field finding Eamonn Ferris who touched it down to the on running Ciaran Mullan who fired it into the back of the net.

In the ninth minute Dean O’Neill found the back of the net to increase the lead to six points. He could have scored a second with ten minutes of the match remaining but his close range effort was successfully blocked. Danny O’Connor clocked up two point one in each half, both from close range free kicks.

Faughanvale replaced their midfielders for the start of the second half, which worked in their favour as they dominated in this area. The visitors scored ten points, six from frees conceded and four from play (two gifted to them, courtesy of defensive mistakes). Drumsurn only scored two points in the second half, a point from Ciaran Mullan at the start of the half and one midway through from Danny O’Connor.

This was a must win match for both clubs and the result will play an important part in the relegation battle. On the final whistle the relief from both Drumsurn players and spectators was clear.

Well done lads, we are back in there fighting for our 3rd division status. Keep your feet on the ground.

Drumsurn
Stephen Harbinson; Dane Mullan (0-01), Christopher Harbinson, Michéal Archibald; Ciaran Ferris, Paul Butcher, Mark McLaughlin; Pierce McNickle, Micky Coll (0-01); Craig Chewing, Dean O’Neill (1-00), Barry Moore; Danny O’Connor (0-02), Ciaran Mullan (1-05), Eamonn Ferris