𝗨𝟭𝟮: 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝟰

This win closes the gap at the top of the table to a single point and Drumoghill now know that if they win their final game at Cappry Rovers, that it will be enough to clinch the title given that most teams have now completed their schedules.

The fact that today's visitors arrived with a chance of winning the league themselves only highlighted the importance of a win for both teams in this crucial game, so it was no surprise that the game started with both teams keeping things tight.

Drumoghill, playing with the benefit of a strong wind in the first half, did get forward but struggled to create any chances of note until the 10th minute when Joe McGonigle somehow found a bit of space to steer the ball beyond Sam Curran and break the deadlock.

Two minutes later, Joe struck again when he wriggled his way inside the penalty area to find the net and put Drumoghill into a commanding position.

The visitors though recovered from the early setbacks and started to get players forward, and chances started to appear. Drumoghill needed Finn O'Donnell to be at his best to keep them out.

However, the pressure eventually told and Raphoe pulled one back when Noah Duddy was quickest to react just before half time.

Drumoghill knew the second half could be a very difficult assignment having to play against the elements, as well as a strong team, but the message was just to focus, use the ball well and keep playing to our strengths.

Pace in attack is one of these strengths and Drumoghill used this perfectly early in the second half to get control of the game back.

Cillian Martin, Bethany Goudie and James O'Donnell combined well to send McGonigle clear and he forced a brilliant save from the keeper that led to the corner that led to Drumoghill making it 3-1 on 37 minutes.
Danny Doherty swung the corner to the back post and there was McGonigle to nudge it home with the outside of his right foot and complete his hat-trick.

Drumoghill needed to defend for much of the second half with Jack Meehan, Bobby Russell, Caleb Coyle, Rhys Hastings and Sarah Holmes resolute throughout, showing a determination to make sure that Raphoe could find no way back.

Drumoghill made the game safe with 5 minutes to go when Joe raced clear from a Harry Browne pass to fire the ball into the net and spark scenes of delight for his team-mates. They finally knew it was job done for today.

With just one game to go there's one final task to complete, and we await the rescheduling of our backlog game with Cappry to find out when that will be.

Well done both teams and thanks to Paddy Gildea for officiating.