CPN into quarters but Drumgath come close

Morgan Fuels Down SFC – Round 2, CPN 1-15 Drumgath 1-12

An absolute cracker in Burren saw Cumann Pheadair Naofa claim this year's first Senior Football Championship quarter-final place with a Thursday night win over a gallant Drumgath side who deservedly live to fight another day.

Drumgath midfielder Pearse McPolin gathers the ball as Warrenpoint's Ruairi McCormack closes in at St Mary's Burren Pictures: Brendan Monaghan BM02

placeholder image — Drumgath midfielder Pearse McPolin gathers the ball as Warrenpoint's Ruairi McCormack closes in at St Mary's Burren Pictures: Brendan Monaghan BM02

Eoghan Byrne was a powerhouse for CPN, while livewire Donagh McAleenan was so dogged that at one stage, despite being surrounded by a sea of taller men in maroon, he won the ball from a kick-out and on the ground refused to give it up, breaking free and getting his pass away. Sean O'Hare was majestic in the air, Niall McGovern scored two goals – one that counted – and Ryan Boyle was everywhere. But it was a real team effort from Warrenpoint, while at the other end Eoghan Travers impressed as always, while Shea Byrne, Packie Downey and Darcy Burns got their side back in the game when things seemed ominous for them.

The Blues looked to be well on their way midway through the first half when they led by a comfortable nine points 1-8 to 0-2.

But Drumgath had shown signs that another comeback, like they had against Mayobridge in the first round, was in them as they clawed back a Downey goal and a few points to give their opponents food for thought at the break, decreasing the deficit to four 1-10 to 1-6.

A combination of CPN going off the boil for a spell – as they did in their last game against Bredagh – and Drumgath regaining belief in their ability, probably aided by a half-time pep talk, the latter went full throttle in the second to get to within two close to the finish.

Drumgath scored four unanswered points after the re-start to make it a one-point game, but O'Hare got the scoreboard moving again for Warrenpoint and while Ronan Burns had a chance to level proceedings from a free outside the arc midway through the half, his effort sailed wide and the Blues held firm, winning by three 1-15 to 1-12 in the end.

For full match report and lots more championship action, see this week’s Newry Reporter in shops Wednesday September 10

SCORERS

CPN: N McGovern (1-0), F Aiken (0-3, 1tpf), D McAleenan (0-3,2f), C Morgan (0-2,1tp), S O'Hare (0-2), R McCormack (0-2), E Byrne (0-2), A Magee (0-1)

Drumgath: P Downey (1-2), E Travers (0-4, 2f), S Byrne (0-2), D Burns (0-2), R Hillen (0-1), C McComish (0-1)