W.C.L.Drinagh Rangers

Drinagh Rangers F.C. 2002/03

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DRINAGH ARE CROWNED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

It was billed as one of the biggest games in the history of Drinagh Football Club.Sadly it looked all over after 12 minutes as Bunratty stormed into a 2 goal lead.Drinagh were defending very deep and it could have been 3-0 on the 33rd minute when Bunratty hit the crossbar and Kevin McCarthy made a fine save from the rebound.Man of the match Gavin Daly nearly had Drinagh back in the game just before half-time as he headed a Mike Hurley corner against the crossbar.It was clear at the start of the second half that Drinagh didnt want to earn the tag of the nearly boys but with Daly and Pat White working ever so hard in the middle of the park Drinagh never gave up going forward.Mike Hurley kept making darting runs up the wing and Denis O'Driscoll and Kenneth Burke winning most ariel battles at the back Drinagh pressed more forward.On the 50th minute Daniel O'Regan won the ball in mid-field and picked out Daly on the edge of the box,Daly's quick thinking sent Mike Doolan clear on goal,Doolan unleashed a thunderbolt and it flew past the keeper and into the top corner.This drove the hugh Drinagh support wild and they roared on their team passionately for the next 40 minutes.It was game on for Drinagh who knew a draw would be enough to make them champions.On the 57th minute Darragh Connolly picked out Gavin Daly he was put one on one with the keeper but hit his shot too tamely and the keeper saved it.Then on the 61st minute a mad scramble in the box saw the ball fall to the feet of Mike Hurley who somehow fired over the bar with the keeper no where to be seen.Daly was again clear on goal on the 68th minute but again drove it wide.Mike Hurley took another perfect corner on the 73rd minute up jumped Doolan but his header was somehow cleared off the line.Drinagh were having chance after chance the pacemakers were on overdrive the fingernails were chewed to the bone.On came Liam Young and Eamonn Connolly was destiny going to shine down on their young shoulders.Straight away Connolly was in the thick of the action and he was involved in the build up to his brother's goal on the 90th minute a cross into the box Darragh Connolly rose highest and headed it past the keeper.The crowd went mad with delight but when everything calmed down they went mad with temper when they heard that Connolly's goal has been disallowed.Connolly had really been robbed of a perfect goal.Again Drinagh Came at the Bunratty defence Eamonn Connolly turned past his marker and drove a low shot on goal but the keeper made a fine save and somehow turned it around the post for a corner.Then when it all seemed lost Big Den came up from the back and floated a hopeful ball into the crowed box somehow Big Brother's little Brother Eamonn Connolly found himself staring into the eyes of the Bunratty keeper,the crowd looked on anxiously, time seemed to stop Bang Connolly drove the ball over the head of the keeper and into the roof of the net.The Drinagh support went wild there was hats,scarfs,glasses and false teeth all thrown into the air Connolly was mobbed by the players and fans it seemed lady luck was going to smile on him aswell as all of Drinagh.Amazingly there was 6 more nerve racking minutes left but the team stood tall and firm and finally the referee blew the whistle Drinagh were Champions tears of joy flowed,hugs and kisses were delivered to everyone involved in the club.Drinagh were Record Breakers played 18 league games and didnt lose any history had unfolded in Schull.It was a storyline no-one could have written to be two goals down after 12 minutes and get the all important goal 3 minutes into injury time its what dreams are made of and dreams became reality as

DRINAGH WERE CROWNED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KENNETH BURKE,JJ HURLEY,PAT WHYTE,GAVIN DALY(CAPT)DANIEL O'REGAN,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED LIAM YOUNG - DANIEL O'REGAN EAMONN CONNOLLY - ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL

DRINAGH WIN THEIR 8TH AWAY LEAGUE GAME OUT OF 8.

Drinagh headed to Togher knowing it was a must win game if they wanted to win their first ever premier league title.It was a good start by both teams but as the game settled Drinagh started to take control of the game.Then out of nothing the visitors were a goal when a free kick from half-way took a wierd bounce infront of the keeper and spun in.This was just what Drinagh needed to kick them into gear and on the half hour mark Daniel O'Regan fed the ball into Adrain O'Driscoll who drove his effort on goal only for the keeper to parrie it into the feet of the oncoming Mike Doolan who flicked home from 3 yards.On the 33rd minute Gavin Daly sent Doolan down the wing who returned the compilment to O'Driscoll but the ball took a wicked bounce on the very bumby pitch and he was unable to connect to what was going to be a certain goal with the keeper beaten at his near post.Mike Hurley was swinging in great corners and on the 39th minute he found the head of Daly but his header was cleared out to the feet of O'Regan who latched onto it and sent his shot crashing back off the post and scrambled out by the defence.Then just before half-time Kevin McCarthy took a quick goal kick and it found the head of Daly and he lobbed the advancing keeper but somehow a defender managed to sprint back and clear off the line at the last second.In the second half Drinagh pressed and pressed but somehow the ball went every way but into the back of the net Daly was in the thick of the action but he put a header off the crossbar and a quick thinking free kick saw him miss a open goal when the ball bounced up on the rocky surface.Nearly every player had a chance on goal but the vital goal couldnt be found until the 71st minute when a scramble in the box from a Hurley corner fell to the feet of Ken Burke who fired high into the net a good goal from an unlikely source.Then on the 86th minute Drinagh were awarded a penalty Mike Hurley picked up the ball but he picked his spot too high and he drove it up over the bar.Finally the Ref blew the whistle to hugh relief to players and supporters alike where their next game is away to their arch rivals Bunratty where Drinagh will hopefully be crowned

PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,JJ HURLEY,PAT WHITE,DANIEL O'REGAN,GAVIN DALY(CAPT)LIAM YOUNG,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL. SUBS USED E CONNOLLY - LIAM YOUNG.

DRINAGH ARE CARLING LEAGUE CUP CHAMPIONS.

This was Drinagh's third year in a row in this final and werent sure what to expect from a up and coming Bantry Gunners team.Drinagh as expected started as favorites but this seemed to spur on their opposition and Drinagh were made to work hard for any kind of result.Drinagh's defence started a bit shakey and Gunners made them pay with a goal after 12 minutes.This seemed to wake Drinagh up and had some good pressing with Gavin Daly driving them on in mid-field they nearly got back on level terms when on the 20th minute Mike Doolan had a shot cleared off the line and out for a corner.It was from this corner Drinagh got their much deserved goal.Mike Hurley bent in his cross all the way to the top right hand corner of the goal.On the 30th minute Daniel O'Regan set up Adrain O'Driscoll inside the area,O'Driscoll was upended unfairly and Drinagh had a clear protest for a penalty but they were denied.In the second half Drinagh ran out of ideas going forward both strikers were left with little to do while the wingers had to do more defending than they liked.Gavin Daly who had blood coming from a cut to the eye gave a towering display also JJ Hurley was having a tremendous game at left back.The vital goal which settled this game was scored in the 80th minute when the ball was curled into the area and up jumped Daly and flicked it to JJ Hurley who unleashed a powerful low drive into the corner to score the goal to give Drinagh the cup.It was Hurley's second goal in his six years with the club but he wont enjoy a sweeter goal. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,JJ HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KENNETH BURKE,MIKE HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPT)DANIEL'O'REGAN,LIAM YOUNG,ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED DAVE CURRAN-MIKE HURLEY STEVE KEARNEY - ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL.

TOWN CRUSH DRINAGH'S BEAMISH CUP DREAM.

It was a quarter final game played infront of a large crowd with the winners having a great chance of going all the way to the final.Drinagh's first major goal chance came on the 21st minute when Mike Doolan dribbled down the wing and crossed to the head of Gavin Daly who narrowly headed wide of the post.The nearest the home team came to getting a goal were form corners with Mike Hurley whipping in some great balls but Drinagh couldnt find a way past the inform keeper.Town were keeping the Drinagh defence busy but JJ & Mike Hurley were having a solid game and held it together.In the second half Town had to defend for long periods but finally the pressure paid off in the 60th minute when a pin-point Hurley corner found the head of Doolan who scored from 6 yards.Then from the tip-off the unthinkable happened when a simple ball over the top wasnt dealt by the defence the Town striker aided by a wicked bounce latched onto it and drilled it into the bottom corner from an accute angle.That knocked the stuffing out of the homesters and came close several times with Daly & Doolan with the best oppertunities from corners.It headed to extra time and Drinagh thought they had found that vital goal when from yet another Hurley corner the ball landed in the box and it fell to the feet of Doolan who's shot was cleared off the line with minutes left.It finished 1-1 and headed to penaltys.Up first was Mike Hurley Drinagh's No1 penalty taker but some how he fired high and wide.Town were up next and scored.Ex Town player Steve Kearney fired home Drinagh's penalty.Town took their second and scored.Daniel O'Regan was next in line but shot straight at the keeper.Kevin McCarthy threw Drinagh a life line when he saved Town's third kick.Up stepped the Captain Gavin Daly for Drinagh's fourth and yet again he shot straight into the keepers arms.Advantage Town and they werent going to miss as they scored their fourth goal crushing Drinagh's dreams aswell as sending the favorites crashing out the underdogs marched into the semi-final.It was Drinagh's second only defeat of the season losing the other game in penaltys aswell. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KENNETH BURKE,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,JJ HURLEY,PAT WHITE,GAVIN DALY,DANIEL O'REGAN,ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED STEVE KEARNEY - ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL.

Drinagh Rangers V Crossmahon 23-2-03

DRINAGH CLOSEING IN ON THE TITLE.

Drinagh were away to Crossmahon in their third last league game and were 1-0 up after 30 seconds when Darragh Connolly rounded the keeper and scored. Mike Doolan scored 3 minutes later in a game that had many chances. On the 73rd minute Mike Hurley swung in a corner in ran Doolan and headed past the keeper to send Drinagh home as 3-0 winners but more importantly with 3 points in the bag.

Drinagh Rangers V Ballydehob 16-2-03

DRINAGH WIN TOUGH BEAMISH CUP SECOND ROUND.

It looked so good for Drinagh when they were coasting with a 2-0 lead over Ballydehob goals from Mike Doolan and Darragh Connolly but the somehow clawed they way back into the game and levelled it at the end of 90 minutes and force extra-time. Drinagh had Gavin Daly to thank when he headed home with 3 minutes left.

Drinagh Rangers V Dunmanway Town 2-2-03

DRINAGH INTO CARLING CUP FINAL FOR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

Here they played Dunmanway Town who are going very well in Division 1 and their goalscorers on the day were a bit different with both centre half’s on the score sheet. Denis O'Driscoll scored a fine goal from the edge of the area when his effort sailed over everyone and into the top corner. Kenneth Burke scored the second in a goal mouth scramble on the 68th minute and super sub Dave Curran scored the third late on after Town had brought the game back to 2-1.Drinagh Booked another day in a final on St Patrick’s Weekend.

Drinagh Rangers V Crossmahon 19-1-03

DRINAGH GET REVENGE FOR CUP HOLDERS.

Drinagh and Crossmahon were drawn against each other in the first round of the Beamish Cup a repeat of last years final Drinagh didn’t create many clear cut chances but on the 57th minute it all changed when Pat White latched onto a clearance from the box and thumped his effort past a wall of players and into the back of the net. The referee added 11 minutes of injury time and with seconds Mahon scored and forced extra-time. After 6 minutes of ET Darragh Connolly set up Gavin Daly who placed his effort into the bottom corner to put Drinagh 2-1 ahead. Yet again Mahon didn’t let it up and scored again with 3 minutes and the game headed to penalties. In the shoot out Kevin McCarthy saved the first kick. Then Liam Young stepped up and drove his effort over the crossbar. Crossmahon drove their second one wide. Ronan O'Sullivan opened the scoring when he banged his effort past the keeper. Kevin McCarthy saved Mahons third spotter. Then Steve Kearney saw his kick crash off the post and come back out. Crossmahon levelled it at 1-1 when they scored their first of four kicks. Next up was the skipper Gavin Daly who calmly rolled his effort past the keeper 2-1 Drinagh. Yet again Kevin McCarthy was the hero in the penalties when he finger tipped Mahons last kick onto the post a game where he and JJ Hurley both excelled.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, KEN BURKE, JJ HURLEY, PAT WHITE, GAVIN DALY, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, DANIEL O'REGAN, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY SUBS USED ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL - PAT WHITE STEVE KEARNEY - DANIEL O REGAN.

Drinagh Rangers V Timoleague 5-1-03

DRINAGH OPEN GAP TO A TWO HORSE RACE.

Drinagh played Timoleague in a wind swept Drinagh and it was a great game played at a fast and furious pace. On the 37th minute Mike Hurley swung in a free kick from the half way line up rose Gavin Daly at the near post and flicked the ball to the on coming Mike Doolan who drilled it into the bottom corner. Then on the hour mark Drinagh went into a 2 goal lead when Pat White ran from defence and spread the ball across the park to Daniel O'Regan who's quick vision sent Doolan clear inside the box Doolan squared it across in front of the keeper and in came Darragh Connolly who dispatched it to the net. Timoleague scored with 9 minutes left but keeper Kevin McCarthy stood tall and denied the visitor’s takeing home anything from this game.

TEAM Kevin McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, KEN BURKE, JJ HURLEY, GAVIN DALY, DANIEL O'REGAN, PAT WHITE, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED LIAM YOUNG-JJ HURLEY STEVE KEARNEY - DANIEL O'REGAN TOMAS HAYES - ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL.

Drinagh Rangers V Kilmichael 29-12-02

DRINAGH BACK TO WINNING WAYS.

Drinagh had a good day at the office when The Hob came to visit on the last Sunday of 2002.This game was played in a total mud bath and it was the best Drinagh played for a long time and the first goal of the game wont be forgotten by Mike Hurley for a long time when Daniel O'Regan was fouled outside the box Hurley stood up to take the free-kick and bent it over the wall and keeper skimming it off the underside of the bar and into the net a goal he richly deserved for all his outstanding performances this season. On the 20th minute O'Regan spotted Darragh Connolly and landed the ball at his feet he turned his marker and fired goal wards the ball flew under the keeper along the muck and spun in off the post for a while it looked like the mud was going to deny him his goal but it went in and Drinagh were up 2-0.0n the 33rd minute the goal of the game was born a quick kick out by Kevin McCarthy down the wing to Connolly who crossed into the box to O'Regan who back headed it to the incoming Adrian O'Driscoll who dived full length and headed it into the top corner.

In the second half Drinagh didn’t take the foot off the gas and pressed for more goals and Connolly should have made it four when he was put 1-1 with the keeper but he blasted it at him. Drinagh did find a fourth goal when great work down the wing by O'Driscoll who left 3 players in his wake he delivered perfectly to the back post where Doolan pounced with a header to make it 4-0.The game died a bit for Drinagh when Ronan O'Sullivan was given his marching orders for two yellow cards Connolly was then taken off and Dave Curran brought on to give cover for O'Sullivan. Drinagh plugged away but couldn’t find any more goals but four did them just fine.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, KEN BURKE, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, LIAM YOUNG, DANIEL, O’REGAN, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, PAT WHITE, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

Drinagh Rangers V Kilmichael 26-12-02

DRINAGH FAIL TO DEFEND THEIR PREMIER CUP

. Drinagh had Kilmichael in town on St Stephen's Day and had to play on the lower pitch and it was in a terrible state. It is no excuse for the home team, which dominated most of the game but also lacked direction and drive. Darragh Connolly could have scored twice in the first half but his first effort went under the keeper and stuck in the mud and his second was chipped over the keeper only to be headed off the line by the defender. Ronan O'Sullivan made most inroads in the worst conditions and it was he who won a corner early in the second half. Mike Hurley delivered inch perfect to Mike Doolan's head who’s effort was cleared off the line it fell to the feet of O'Sullivan who's shot was blocked off the line but it fell to the feet of Adrian O'Driscoll who thumped home the first goal. As per usual Drinagh sat and defended too deep allowing Kilmichael in for a soft goal. In a pitch that wasn’t fit for 90 minutes the last thing it needed was extra-time and so it happened and in the second minute of ET Connolly made a great run to the end line cut the ball back from a tight angle the ball flew under Doolan's leg and somehow past O'Driscoll a goal that surely would have been the death nail for Kilmichael but no the hung on for penalties where they scored 4 to Drinagh's 2 not only did Drinagh lose their Premier Cup Title they also lost their 100% unbeaten record in all competitions for the season.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, KEN BURKE, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, DAVE CURRAN, JAMES O'REGAN, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, PAT WHITE, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED DANIEL O'REGAN - JAMES O'REGAN TOMAS HAYES - PAT WHITE LIAM YOUNG - MIKE HURLEY

Drinagh Rangers V Crossmahon 22-12-02

DRINAGH STAY TOP FOR CHRISTMAS.

Drinagh can thank Gavin Daly for the only goal of the game against Crossmahon when a scrambled ball in the box fell to his feet and he poked in the vital goal in the first half. Mike Hurley should have made it 2 but the Mahon keeper made a fine save from Hurley's spot kick.

Drinagh Rangers V Togher 8-12-02

LUCKY DRINAGH GET A POINT.

Drinagh were lucky to get a goal on the 88th minute and spare their blushes against Togher where the home team dominated large parts of the game. It all started well for Drinagh when the had Togher pinned in their own half for the first 20 minutes and should have taken an early lead after 9 minutes when a great run by Daniel O'Regan down the flank and whip a fierce ball into the box to the feet of Mike Doolan who miss-hit from 8 yards. Drinagh had many half chances but on the half hour mark a great ball by Ronan O'Sullivan to Darragh Connolly who saw the Keeper rushing off his line but Connolly scooped the ball over the bar from inside the area. In the second half Togher decided to take the game to Drinagh but the defence stood firm until once again a stupid mistake at the back let in another silly goal. Drinagh didn’t deserve to be down 1-0 but with all their possession it was going to be one of those games where they did every thing right but couldn’t score. On the 72nd minute Drinagh forcer a corner and a sweetly taken kick by Mike Hurley found the head of Gavin Daly who headed just wide of the post. It looked like Drinagh weren’t going to score but on the 88th minute JJ Hurley passed to Daly who passed to O'Sullivan first time and he sprinted down the wing and crossed the most perfect ball into the box where Doolan out jumped his marker and headed the ball into the roof of the net a goal Drinagh more than deserved but its their stuttering home form that’s going to prove their downfall this year.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, KEN BURKE, JJ HURLEY, MIKE HURLEY, GAVIN DALY, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, DANIEL O'REGAN, PAT WHITE, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

Drinagh Rangers V Leeside 1-12-02

DRINAGH SLIP UP YET AGAIN AT HOME.

At home Drinagh again let points slip away in simple fashion as where when they travel away they usually gather the points. Leeside were in Drinagh on a very poor day for soccer with gale force winds blowing and heavy rain falling it was the visitors that got off to the better start. Drinagh welcomed back Gavin Daly (Ankle), Daniel O'Regan (Ankle) who had missed the previous Sunday with injury and Mike Hurley and JJ Hurley who had been rested to the starting line up. When Drinagh got into the game they dominated for long periods and it was a great run down the wing by Adrian O'Driscoll who passed to Darragh Connolly who charged at the keeper Connolly chipped his and in came Daly who headed into the net it was a very well worked goal. Drinagh created a lot of chances but it was Leeside who got the next goal before half time. In the second Drinagh dominated and scored on the 50th minute when Daniel O'Regan collected the ball 30 yards out and blasted the ball on goal but it was to hot to handle for the keeper and he spilt it to the feet of O'Driscoll who had a simple tap in to put Drinagh back in the lead. During the half the weather got so bad the Referee had to call the game off for 6 minutes due to heavy rain and when the players came back out both goals were knocked with the wind. Drinagh were guilty of some glaring misses with Daly and O'Driscoll who should have put the game out of reach but Leeside kept plugging away and scored 7 minutes from time once again its Drinagh's poor home form which could cost them dearly at the end of the season where this game finished 2-2.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, KEN BURKE, JJ HURLEY, GAVIN DALY, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, PAT WHITE, DANIEL O'REGAN, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL, DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED DAVE CURRAN - MIKE HURLEY STEVE KEARNEY - PAT WHITE.

Drinagh Rangers V Togher 24-11-02

DRINAGH FIND IT TOUGH GOING IN THE CARLING LEAGUE CUP.

Drinagh were drawn at home to Togher Celtic in the next round of the Carling cup and were 2 goals up at half time and barely scrope through at full time. It was a much changed Drinagh which played against Ilen Celtic a week earlier with Captain Gavin Daly, Mike Doolan, Daniel O'Regan out injured and with the ever consistent JJ Hurley, Mike Hurley keeping the bench warm it was a day for some fringe players to impress. It was all Drinagh in the opening period with shots raining in on the Togher keeper, but on the 10th minute a clever ball by James O'Regan to Liam Curran who powerfully curled the ball around the keeper into the bottom corner to give Drinagh a much deserved lead and a much deserved goal for Curran who is ever present on the line every Sunday. On the 33rd minute Adrian O'Driscoll burst past his marker and crossed to Connolly who controlled the ball first time and toe-poked the ball through the legs of the advancing goalkeeper to put Drinagh into a 2-0 lead at half time. In the second half to Togher’s credit they took the game to Drinagh and scored two good goals but it wasn’t a good day for the Drinagh strikers with Connolly missing some good chances when he was put 1v1 with the keeper and it didn’t look like it was going to be their day when on the 83 minute O'Driscoll scooped the ball up over the bar from 4 yards. The youngster from Drimoleague did have the last laugh when a good run down the wing by Connolly took 2 players out of the box he spotted Ronan O'Sullivan who side footed it to the incoming O'Driscoll who picked his spot and blasted it into the bottom corner it was too much of a task for Togher to find a third but Drinagh held out to fight another day but Drinagh could thank Ronan O'Sullivan who excelled in mid-field for the 90 minutes.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, DAVE CURRAN, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, KENNETH BURKE, LIAM YOUNG, JAMES O'REGAN, PAT WHITE, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, LIAM CURRAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL. SUBS USED STEPHEN KEARNEY - LIAM CURRAN MIKE HURLEY - PAT WHITE

Drinagh Rangers V Bunratty 17-11-02

CONNOLLY'S SUPER STRIKE GIVES DRINAGH MAXIUM POINTS.

Drinagh travelled to Skibbereen to play Ilen Celtic in what is know as the Main local derby. Both teams started well and Drinagh's Captain Gavin Daly Should have scored after 7 minutes when he shot under the keeper but the ball shaved the post and went wide. Drinagh pressed more and more forward and struck gold on the half-hour mark when an inch perfect ball to the feet of Mike Doolan who raced on goal the Keeper made a good save from his effort and the ball fell kindly to the feet of Ronan O'Sullivan whom thumped home the first goal of the game. Then with a minute left on the clock Jack Carroll scored for the home team to put the game at 1-1 at the interval. In the second half it was hell for leather with Drinagh and Ilen looking for the 3 points for different reasons. Mike Hurley was having another solid game at the back and with the Captain gone off injured James O Regan did very well in his place. It looked like there wasn't going to be any goals in this game with the defences looking very strong but enter Darragh Connolly who gathered the ball from a pass from O'Regan, Connolly twisted and turned past his markers then curled the ball around the keeper into the top corner to send the bench wild with excitement and even the Ilen supporters admired the quality of the strike. Drinagh could have had a third at the end when Ronan O'Sullivan who was standing on the goal line with no keeper or defender in sight somehow blazed wide the cross from Pat White again Drinagh had gathered 3 points on their travels and Drinagh FC would like to wish James Reen a speedy recovery in a injury he picked up during the game.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O DRISCOLL, KEN BURKE, JJ HURLEY, ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL, RONAN O'SULLIVAN, GAVIN DALY, DANIEL O'REGAN, MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED JAMES O'REGAN - GAVIN DALY PAT WHITE - ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL.

Riverside V Drinagh Rangers 10-11-02

DRINAGH ESCAPE WITH THE 3 POINTS.

Drinagh had to travel to Enniskeane to play Riverside in their next game in the league and every time these two teams meet there is always going to be goals,goals,goals and today was no exception. As per usual Drinagh got off to a lively start and could have the ball in the net after 5 minutes when a cross from Pat White was scooped over the bar by Darragh Connolly from 4 yards. Daniel O Regan was on form again today and it was his great vision which spotted the run of Connolly who side footed the ball first time past the diving keeper to give Drinagh a well deserved lead. Mike and JJ Hurley were commanding in defence and Ken Burke was also solid against his former club but it was a silly mix-up at the back that left the home team back into the game. Pat White was running his socks off in the wings and on the 40th minute he darted down the wing crossed into the box to the incoming Mike Doolan who placed his effort into the bottom corner to put the visitors back into the lead-In the second half it was end to end stuff with both teams up and down the field trying to score again but as usual the never say die motto of Riverside they managed to score again to put the game at 2-2 with 20 minutes left on the clock. Connolly, Doolan, Daly and O'Regan all came close to scoring but with a big panel of players and the usual supporters on the line roaring on to get another goal and it came on the 86th minute. Mike Hurley bent his free kick into the box Connolly was the first to react and stuck out his leg to flick the ball into the bottom corner and to give Drinagh the 3 points they came looking for. It is never an easy game against Riverside but today Drinagh were very happy that Lady luck was on their side.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,JJ HURLEY,GAVIN DALY,DANIEL O'REGAN,RONAN O'SULLIVAN,PAT WHITE,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL-PAT WHITE LIAM YOUNG-DANIEL O REGAN.

Drinagh Rangers V Bunratty 28-10-02

DRINAGH'S TIGERS PUTS THE BUN ON THE RUN Bunratty were the visitors to Canon Crowley Park on Bank Holiday Monday,it was also Halloween week and Drinagh did some early trick r treating themselves by tricking Bunratty for 3goals and treating themselves to opening a 3point lead on top of the Premier table. Darragh Connolly nearly scored early on when he collected a pass from Gavin Daly and shot just over the bar. Daniel O'Regan was up to his old tricks on the wing,he was using his strength and winning some great balls and setting the strikers up with defence splitting balls all day. It was only fitting that O'Regan was to open the scoring when Connolly fired a ball across the goal mouth and in ran O'Regan who out muscled his marker and thumped home his first goal of the game. Connolly was electric and created another opening 3minutes later when he outpaced the Bunratty defence and swung in a cross to the head of Mike Doolan who headed wide from 8yards out. Gavin Daly was having another rock solid display in mid-field and he set Connolly up for the second goal when Connolly raced onto Daly's pass, cut inside the defender and sent the keeper the wrong way to put the score at 2-0. The only mistake Drinagh's defence made through the 90minutes was to give away a penalty. The back four were outstanding with Mike Hurley giving a five star display. It was only right that the penalty was saved by Kevin McCarthy who punched clear the spot-kick. In the second half Drinagh needed to continue the pressure and did so very well as where Ronan O'Sullivan and Pat White worked ever so hard. On the 55th minute Gavin Daly took a snap shot from outside the area and it was somehow hacked off the line. Kenneth Burke was having a solid display at the back and it was his vision that set up the third goal as he cleared the ball from the defence. The ball dropped inside the Bunratty half, Connolly ran onto it and with great accuracy lobbed it over the advancing keeper. Bunratty had a few chances to get back into the game but didn't take them and with 15 minutes left Drinagh added fresh legs to keep the game flowing. Pat White should have made it 4 but placed the ball the wrong side of the post with only the keeper to beat. Finally after 90 minutes the ref blew the full-time and Drinagh had taken the scalp of Bunratty, a day that will be remembered for the great spirit of the players and their desire and hunger to win.

TEAM: KEVIN MCCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,JJ HURLEY,KENNETH BURKE,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,PAT WHITE,GAVIN DALY,RONAN O'SULLIVAN,DANIEL O'REGAN,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED:DAVE CURRAN - DANIEL O'REGAN, LIAM YOUNG - PAT WHITE, ADRIAN DRISCOLL - MIKE HURLEY.

THE STORY SO FAR.

Drinaghs first game of the season was at home to Gurrane Celtic in the Carling league cup Mike Doolan scored 4,Adrain O Driscoll,Ronan O Sullivan,Eamonn Connolly,Dave Curran all scored (1).

Drinaghs first league game was at home to Ilen Celtic where it finished 0-0.

The following sunday it was away to Leeside where Steve Kearney scored a rocket from the edge of the area and also got an OG to give the visitors a well deserved 2-0 victory.

Next in line was the visit of Riverside to Drinagh here Mike Hurley scored (2) one from a penalty and Darragh connolly (1) but Riverside scored directly from a corner with the last kick of the game to put the final score at 3-3.

The following sunday it was on the road again away to Kilmichael a splendid William O Donovan header on the stroke of half-time was enough to give Drinagh a 1-0 victory.

Again Drinagh were on their travels when they were away to Ballydehob where Adrain O Driscoll scored his fastest goal ever with 12 seconds up on the clock but the home team scored just after half-time from a penalty but with 3 minutes Mike Doolan scored a headed goal from a Mike Hurley corner to give Drinagh a 2-1 victory.

Leeds came to Drinagh for the Munster Junior Cup but Leeds scored after 5 minutes but Gavin Daly powered home a header on the 7th minute.Leeds scored again in the second half but Darragh Connolly brought the game level with 2 minutes left and forced extra-time but Drinagh had no luck on the day where Leeds scored a soft goal to give them a 3-2 victory.

Timoleague V Drinagh Rangers 20-10-02

DRINAGH SAIL AWAY WITH 3 POINTS.

Drinagh travelled to Timoleague looking for 3 points and got what they went looking for it was a day fit for ducks and boats a game played in desperate conditions.Drinaghs defence played a key part in this victory where the had to defend into a galeforce wind but for a small man JJ Hurley stood tall and firm at the back as he didnt put a foot wrong all day and excelled in such torrid conditions.Darragh Connolly,Mike Doolan and Pat White all came close in the first half but had to wait until the 50th minute when Mike Hurley thumped a ball into the box it hit a Timoleague defender and flew into the net a goal Drinagh more than deserved.Then on the 53rd minute Connolly set up the Captain Gavin Daly who let rip a belter and flew in past the keeper from 30 yards to put the scoer at 2-0.Daniel O Regan was fireing in some great long range efforts but couldnt find the back of the net.In a game that Drinagh were by far the better team they were more than happy to hear the refs whistle and take 3 points and also to have the warm showers.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KENNETH BURKE,DENIS O DRISCOLL,JJ HURLEY,GAVIN DALY,RONAN O SULLIVAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,PAT WHITE, MIKE DOOLAN ,DANIEL O REGAN. SUBS USED DAVE CURRAN-PAT WHITE LIAM YOUNG-DANIEL O REGAN.

Match Report 1/10/2002

Drinagh started the season at home to Gurrane Celtic in the Carling League Cup.It was an easy victory where Mike Doolan scored 4,Adrain O Driscoll,Ronan O Sullivan,Eamonn Connolly,Dave Curran all scored 1 goal each.

The next game was at home to Ilen Celtic where it finished 0-0.

The following sunday it was a trip away to Leeside where a Steve Kearney rocket and an OG helped Drinagh to a 2-0 victory.

Next up was the visit of Riverside to Canon Crowley Park where a thrilling 3-3 draw was served up with the visitors scoreing from a corner with the last kick of the game.The marksmen for Drinagh on the day were Mike Hurley 2 (1)pen and Darragh Connolly 1.

Drinagh had to travel to Kilmichael the next sunday and a sweetly headed goal from William O Donovan on the stroke of half time was enough for them to steal a 1-0 victory.

Last Sunday it was away again to Ballydehob where Adrain O Driscoll scored his fastest ever goal after 12 seconds but the home team got level with a penalty 5 minutes into the second half but Mike Doolan scored 3 minutes from time to put Drinagh top of the table.

Drinagh Rangers F.C. 2001/02

DRINAGH WIN PREMIER LEAGUE CUP TITLE

Drinagh 2, Bunratty 1

Skibbereen’s excellent new development provided the ideal setting for this Saturday evening Premier Cup final. At the end, Drinagh had created a bit of history by winning this trophy for the very first time but things could have worked out differently had a dramatic last minute Bunratty goal been allowed to stand. With normal time almost up, Bunratty defender Denis Murphy worked his way into a scoring position only to be denied by Alan Shorten in the Drinagh goal.

The ball fell kindly for Bunratty, however, and substitute Kevin Cotter looked set to be the Bunratty hero when he bundled the rebound to the net. Tony Crowley, the referee’s assistant, had no hesitation in raising his flag to signal that Cotter had handled the ball, Maradonna style, and a free out resulted with Bunratty offering little argument against what was a courageous and correct decision.

If the game ended in a welter of excitement, it had also started in explosive fashion with the losers taking a second minute lead. The wind was taken out of Drinagh’s sails for a while after Óisín O’Driscoll, in his first game in adult ranks, collected a Denis Murphy freekick before netting. His shot took a deflection en route past Alan Shorten who stood in between the Drinagh posts for ’flu victim, Kevin McCarthy.

This goal sustained a largely mix’um gather’um Bunratty outfit for a while as their cocktail of young and not so young players took the game to Drinagh. Their back-four rivalled that of Arsenal in terms of age, yet managed to hold their own with the O’Donovan brothers, T J and Gerdie, excelling on the flanks. The volatile and combative duo of Denis Murphy and Paul O’Brien manned the central pivotal positions for a Bunratty outfit that showed numerous changes from the team that beat Drinagh to clinch the premier league title in the last league game of the season.

Brian O’Reilly steadied the midfield sector for a while until a rash challenge earned him a red card early in the closing half. By then, the youthful trio of O’Driscoll, Kelleher and O’Mahony had found their feet in a contest where Dan McSweeney, in a variety of roles, and Colm Cleary also competed well. Cleary drove a 10th minute freekick just over as Bunratty strove to increase their advantage in a contest where Robert O’Regan, the Drinagh midfielder, was lucky to escape censure after a late tackle on Eóin Kelleher.

Slowly, the winners, with J.J Hurley and Michael Hurley ever willing to advance up the flanks, got more involved but found the Bunratty defence a hard nut to crack. John Goggin held firm in goal as he denied Adrian O’Driscoll before Drinagh got on terms in the 27th minute.

Stephen Kearney drove a freekick firmly past a poorly constructed Bunratty wall and left John Goggin with stinging fingers as his drive went in off the hands of a despairing Bunratty ’keeper. Drinagh kept up the pressure as Michael Doolan drove just over and Darragh Connolly released Adrian O’Driscoll who finished weakly before a late surge approaching the break yielded scoring opportunities for Bunratty.

First, Colm Cleary wasted a freekick before testing Alan Shorten and in the closing seconds a terrific move involving, Joe O’Mahony, Eóin Kelleher and Colm Cleary ended with Stephen Kearney getting across to deny Cleary with a tremendous tackle. Kearney continued to be an influential figure in Drinagh’s second half display where the non stop running of J.J Hurley and David Curran offered the winners’ extra options. With Michael Hurley also firing in some well directed missiles from the right and central defender, Denis O’Driscoll, staying at home to mind the house, Drinagh forced the pace, particularly after the 52nd minute dismissal of Brian O’Reilly.

Down to ten men, and a lot of football still to be played, Bunratty were forced to pull Dan McSweeney back to midfield and have Colm Cleary play a lone striker’s role. It proved too much for them as Darragh Connolly, along with Robert O’Regan got more involved in a winners midfield sector, strengthened by the addition of halftime substitute, Gavin Daly.

John Goggin was to find his work rate increasing dramatically as he saved from Adrian O’Driscoll and Gavin Daly before a well struck Darragh Connolly effort rebounded off the Bunratty crossbar. At the other end, an isolated Bunratty raid saw Kelleher work a corner and eventually Cleary forced a fine save from Shorten.

The flow was mainly in the other direction, however, as Darragh Connolly almost got in at the back post and Doolan fired over before the winning Drinagh goal arrived, twelve minutes from time. Curran and Connolly fashioned out the opening and Doolan, ever a man for the half chance, made no mistake from close range to put the winners ahead for the first time but they were to live dangerously in the closing seconds before an historic triumph was recorded.

Drinagh: A Shorten, M Hurley D O’Driscoll, S Kearney, J.J.Hurley, R O’Regan, D Curran, P White, M Doolan, A O’Driscoll. Subs, G Daly, D O’Regan. Bunratty: J Goggin, T J O’Donovan, G O’Donovan, D Murphy, P O’Brien, O O’Driscoll, B O’Reilly, J O’Mahony, E Kelleher, C Cleary, D McSweeney. Subs, K Cotter, T O’Reilly. Referee, Anthony McDermott.

DRINAGH TO DEFEND THEIR CARLING LEAGUE CUP TITLE IN FINAL

Drinagh are into another final but had to go into extra-time for the third week in a row. Drinagh had many good players on form today with JJ and Mike Hurley solid at the back and Pat White making great runs from mid-field but it was Mike Doolan and Adrian O'Driscoll upfront who ran the Clon team ragged all day. O'Driscoll could have had two goals in ten minutes if luck had been on his side. On the 23rd minute Doolan sent Connolly clear in the box only for the keeper to make a great save from the young winger. On the 28th minute a great run by Pat White from mid-field,passed to Doolan who turned on goal and fired across the keeper and into the bottom corner from 18 yards out to give the home team a well deserved lead. James O'Regan lobbed the ball over the defence on the 34th minute to O'Driscoll who thundered his shot on goal only for it to graze the post. O'Driscoll deserved a goal for all the great work he was doing.

In the second half Drinagh took the pedal off the gas but this was to give Clon more possesion. Connolly was having a quiet game on the wing and was moved upfront and nearly had a goal straight away when Doolan raced down the wing and swung in a ball to his feet,who forced the keeper into a great save. But on the 79th minute Clon scored and extra-time was on the cards again.

Connolly won a corner in the first minute of extra-time and Kearney swung it in, Doolan rose highest and headed wide where it looked easier to score but on the 98th minute James O'Regan set Connolly free who sprinted past his marker and curled the ball beautifuly past the keeper to score a fine goal. In the second period of extra-time O'Driscoll burst from mid-field, skipped past two tackles but forced the keeper into yet another save. Then in the last minute it was Curran who made the run only for the keeper to make yet another good save and forced the corner, Kearney swung it in and Doolan rose again but his header went barely wide at the post. The ref blew full-time but with the likes of Colman Daly,Gavin Daly,Robert O'Regan,Daniel O'Regan,Adain O'Brien,Liam Young,and Kenneth Burke all missing, Drinagh called on their young squad to get them to the Carling League Cup Final.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,STEVE KEARNEY,JJ HURLEY,MIKE HURLEY,DAVE CURRAN,JAMES O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN.

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DECLAN DEASY, CONNIE CURRAN.

DRINAGH HEAD WEST AND GUN-DOWN DURRUS IN SHOOT OUT.

It was the second week in a row that Drinagh played 110 minutes but at the end it headed to penalty's which they were victorious. Drinagh started poorly but head and bodies weren't all to well from the wedding the night before. Adrian O'Driscoll looked lively upfront and it was his good running that forced a corner on 23 minutes. Steve Kearney swung in the corner to the unmarked Mike Doolan who headed home only for his goal to be disallowed for a foul on the keeper, but to be fair it was a bad mistake from the referee not to allow it to stand. On 25 minutes Durrus took the lead and a lead they deserved.

In the second half Durrus had the ball in the net after 50seconds. After the tip-off it was 2-0 to Durrus and a big,big cup upset was on the cards. Rob O'Regan came into mid-field and gave more bite there as he set Darragh Connolly into the box after 78minutes, Connolly was upended inside the box and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Mike Hurley came up from defence and tucked home the spot kick into the right hand corner.

It was all Drinagh for the last ten minutes as Durrus kept Drinagh's strike force at bay. The referee was checking his watch and there was only seconds left when Connolly slipped the ball to Doolan who flicked the ball past his marker, he looked up and curled the ball into the top right hand corner from the edge of the box,a terrific goal celebrated by selectors and supporters alike.

The game then headed to extra-time and then penalty's.

First up was Durrus who missed, then up stepped Steve Kearney who scored into the left hand corner. Then came Durrus who scored their next, then came Mike Hurley who scored his second penalty of the day into the right hand corner. Durrus scored a second putting Kevin McCarthy the wrong way. Up next was Dave Razor Curran who belted it to the back of the net. Durrus took their fourth and missed and the pressure was on Darragh Connolly who as cool as ice picked his spot and thumped it into the top left hand corner to send Drinagh into the semi-finals to meet Clonakilty with a scoreline of 2-2 after extra-time, 4-2 after penalty's and 6-4 at the very end of time.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,STEVE KEARNDY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL,MIKE HURLEY,JJ HURLEY,DANIEL O'REGAN,DAVE CURRAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,PAT WHITE,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL. SUBS USED: JAMES O'REGAN-DANIEL O'REGAN. ROB O'REGAN-DAVE CURRAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT: DECLAN DEASY, DON HURLEY, CONNIE CURRAN.

DRINAGH BOUNCE BACK IN STYLE

Drinagh had a tricky away match against Leeside in the quarter final of the Premier Cup last Sunday and to make their task worse they were missing five team players. Drinagh started well and young Adrian O'Driscoll looked lively up front from the start. It was O'Driscoll who looked like giving Drinagh the lead after twenty minutes when a low drive from inside the area narrowly missed the post. It was on twenty-eight minutes when Leeside scored,when yet again Drinagh was caught on the set piece,a downfall in their game all season. Leeside popped in and scored and easy opener. In the second half it could have gone any way with O'Driscoll,Darragh Connolly,Mike Doolan,Pat White all close to scoring but it was a shot by White which deflected off a Leeside player and landed in the net to put the game at 1-1. It went to extra time and it was a tale of two halves, Leeside had most of the possesion in the first period but with Steve Kearney excellent in defence and Daniel O'Regan very busy in mid-field things looked good for the visitors. It was in the second period of extra time Drinagh clicked into gear. Straight from the tip-off O'Driscoll set Doolan clear,who shot past the keeper from the edge of the box to put the score at 2-1. After 105 minutes Darragh Connolly made it 3-1 when O'Regan's pass came to him,Connolly spun past his marker and clipped the ball over the keeper and sent Drinagh into the semi's. It was yet another day that the fringe players had a huge roal to play.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,STEVE KEARNEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,LIAM YOUNG,PAT WHITE,DANIEL O'REGAN,DAVE CURRAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL. TEAM MANAGEMENT: DON HURLEY,DECLAN DEASY,CONNIE CURRAN.

DRINAGH FALL AT THE LAST HURDLE

It all ended in tears in Canon Crowley Park last Sunday as Drinagh were pipped for the title by a very lucky Bunratty side. It came down to the last game of the season and a winner takes all tag with it. Drinagh dominated from the start and should have been a goal up after ten minutes as Mike Doolan set Darragh Connolly free inside the box,Connolly tried the shot from an acute angle where a pass to the feet of Doolan standing unmarked on the penalty spot would surely have carved out the first goal. Moments later Gavin Daly set Connolly on route to goal and again he squandered a good chance where a pass would have been the better option. At this stage Drinagh were in full control and Daly went close with a header on 21 minutes.Daniel O'Regan and Daly worked very hard in mid-field and Denis O'Driscoll was keeping any threat on goal at bay. It was against the run of play that Bunratty scored when a long throw was met by the flick of a Bunratty boot but the Drinagh keeper Kevin McCarthy couldn't hold the wet ball and it squirted over the line. Then on 43minutes Drinagh were level when Rob O'Regan drove a freekick from mid-field,the Bunratty keeper spilled it to the feet of Connolly who hammered home to give Drinagh a goal they deserved.

In the second half Drinagh battled and battled so hard but couldn't carve out many openings. Connolly was a bootlace away from his second as he slid in but couldn't connect to a cross from Pat White on the 58 minute. Doolan had a 25 yard drive narrowly miss the post after the hour mark. Drinagh suffered a huge blow when out of nothing Bunratty scored what was to be the winner,when a shot from the edge of the box was misjudged by the keeper and a silly bounce was to doom Drinagh into the runners-up spot. Gavin Daly nearly got Drinagh level at the death but his scrambled shot was blocked on the line but it wasn't to be Drinagh's day and in front of a large crowd,it was an excellent game of soccer to watch but Drinagh will have to wait another year to achieve their dreams.

TEAM: KEVIN MCCARTHY,KENNETH BURKE,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,ROB O'REGAN,DANIEL O'REGAN,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY,STEPHEN KEARNEY, PAT WHITE, DARRAGH CONNOLLY, MIKE DOOLAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT: DON HURLEY,DECLAN DEASY,CONNIE CURRAN.

DALY FIRES DRINAGH INTO BEAMISH CUP FINAL

Drinagh were hosts to the Beamish Cup semi-finals and what a cracker was served up in the first game. Dunmanway Town had nothing to lose and for long periods of the game had pinned Drinagh back. Town settled first and could have gone a goal up in a minute of seconds. They did manage to score mid-way through the first half when the Drinagh keeper dropped the ball into his own net to give the visitors a well deserved lead. Steve Kearney nearly gave the home team something to shout about on 38minutes,when Pat White crossed to Kearney who blazed wide from the edge of the area.

Drinagh were finding it hard to put and scoring chances together in the first half against the wind but in the second half Drinagh stepped up a gear and were soon level when Daniel O'Regan spotted the run of Darragh Connolly who raced past his marker and chipped the ball into the bottom corner to put the score at 1-1. This gave the game the bite it needed. Drinagh could have had a second moments later when Mike Doolan flicked to Daniel O'Regan who's shot fired just over the bar from 35yards out. On the 70th minute Town were awarded a penalty for handball in the box. The big man in the Drinagh goal,Kevin McCarthy,made a brillant save but the rebound fell to the penalty kick taker but he somehow fired wide with the goal to aim at. On the 88th minute Drinagh got a corner,Kearney swung it in and up jumped O'Regan who flicked it on to the feet of Gavin Daly who thumped home the winning goal to the huge shouts of support from a big crowd as players and supporters jumped for joy. Daly's goal sealed victory for Drinagh who now meet Crossmahon in the Beamish Cup Final.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,LIAM YOUNG,KENNETH BURKE,ROB O'REGAN,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,GAVIN DALY,DANIEL O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,STEPHEN KEARNEY,MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH IN 7th HEAVEN AS DOOLAN SCORES WONDER GOAL

Drinagh played Clonakilty in the quarter final of the Beamish Cup and ran out easy winners by 7 goals to 1. Gavin Daly could have scored after ten minutes when he failed to keep his header on target from a Darragh Connolly cross. Drinagh did break the deadlock a minute later when Rob O'Regan's goal-bound effort was knocked away by the keeper into the path of Mike Doolan who lobbed it over the keeper to put the reds 1-0 ahead. Doolan should have scored a second minutes later when a Rob O'Regan freekick sailed over the defence but Doolan couldn't connect with just the keeper to beat. Then on 17 minutes the Clonakilty keeper raced out of the box and cleared the ball up field but unfortunately for him it fell to Doolan who was on the half-way line,Doolan looked up spotted the keeper off his line and fired his effort all the way to the back of the net;a goal which goes down in the history books as one of the finest goals ever seen in Canon Crowley Park.

Straight from the kick-off Connolly won the ball and twisted and turned past three defenders and laid the ball off to Doolan who raced into the box only for the keeper to make a good save to keep the score at 2-1 but it was all about to change very fast as Denis O'Driscoll spotted the run of Gavin Daly. Daly darted towards goal but as the keeper came out to narrow the angle Daly cooly bent his effort into the bottom corner. In the second half Drinagh went for the kill and it was on the 50th minute when Drinagh had a fourth goal when Doolan headed home an O'Regan corner to score his third of the game. On the 54th minute Connolly nearly got on the score sheet when he curled his effort on goal but the keeper made a good save to give Drinagh a corner.

It was from this corner that Drinagh wrapped up the game as O'Regan's corner was headed out. It fell to his brother Dan who volleyed the ball first time into the back of the net from the edge of the box. At the back Denis O'Driscoll and Rob O'Regan were so relaxed and dominant and showed great quality in what they had to do and captain JJ Hurley was excellent also. On the 79th minute Stephen Kearney made a surging run from mid-field, he swung in a cross to Dave Curran who made no mistake from eight yards out. Curran had only been on the pitch ten minutes as he and James O'Regan came on as subs and O'Regan got on the scoreboard. On the 84th minute as he won the ball on the wing he cut past 2defenders and drove the ball low into the bottom corner to make it 7-1. Connolly nearly got the eight minutes from the end but it wasn't to be his day but it was a day for everyone involved in the club as they march on to the semi-finals in a few weeks.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY, ADAIN O'BRIEN, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, ROB O'REGAN, JJ HURLEY, KENNETH BURKE, DAN O'REGAN, GAVIN DALY, STEPHEN KEARNEY, DARRAGH CONNOLLY, MIKE DOOLAN. SUBS USED: MIKE HURLEY-ADAIN O'BRIEN, DAVE CURRAN-MIKE DOOLAN, JAMES O'REGAN-GAVIN DALY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DON HURLEY, DECLAN DEASY, CONNIE CURRAN.

DALY AND DOOLAN SINK THE HOB

Drinagh drew with Ballydehob in the second round of the Beamish Cup. It was top of the Premier League and top of the First Division encounter and it was full of thrills and spills. Darragh Connolly came close for the visitors when Mike Doolan chipped the ball over the defence, Connolly ran onto the pass and narrowly shot wide after 6 minutes. Drinagh had alot of the ball in the first 45 minutes but didn't have many scoring chances. Liam Young was making some great runs on the left side of mid-field and it was his running that won a corner on the 63rd minute. Steve Kearney took it and it was met by the head of Gavin Daly who powered home the opening goal.

On the 65th minute Doolan flicked the ball to Connolly who raced into the box and rounded the keeper, then chipped the ball over two defenders running back but somehow the ball hit the post and stopped on the line. The 72nd minute Drinagh won a corner and it was taken by Steve Kearney. It landed at the feet of Daly who spun past his maker, Daly crossed it in to the head of Doolan who made no mistake from 6 yards out and to put the visitors 2-0 ahead.

Drinagh made no mistakes at the back with Denis o'Driscol and Rob O'Regan dominant as well as excellent at the centre of defence. Daniel O'Regan and Gavin Daly worked ever so hard in midfield. Darragh Connolly and sub Adrian O'Driscoll came close to getting their names on the score sheet but it finished 2-0 to Drinagh who now advance to the last eight of the Beamish Cup.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, ROB O'REGAN, JJ HURLEY, ADAIN O'BRIEN, GAVIN DALY, DANIEL O'REGAN, STEVE KEARNEY, LIAM YOUNG,MIKE DOOLAN, DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

SUBS USED: DAVE CURRAN - ADAIN O'BRIEN JAMES O'REGAN - DANIEL O' REGAN ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL - MIKE DOOLAN

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DECLAN DEASY, DON HURLEY, CONNIE CURRAN.

DRINAGH ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND

DRINAGH HAD A TRICKY BEAMISH CUP FIRST ROUND TIE AGAINST BANTRY GUNNERS ON SUNDAY LAST. DRINAGH HAD TO FIELD A MUCH WEAKER SIDE THAN USUAL BUT THE RESERVE PLAYERS MORE THAN AQUITTED THEMSELVES ON THE DAY.

BOTH TEAMS STARTED WELL WITH ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL COMING CLOSEST FOR THE VISITORS WITHIN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES ONLY FOR HIS EFFORT TO SHAVE THE POST. THEN ON THE 26TH MINUTE A DANIEL O'REGAN SHOT WAS BLOCKED BY THE HAND OF A BANTRY GUNNERS DEFENDER AND DRINAGH WERE AWARDED A PENALTY. UP STEPPED STEPHEN KEARNEY AND FIRED DRINAGH INTO A 1-0 LEAD.

BANTRY STEPPED UP THE PACE AND ON THE 37TH MINUTE SCORED TO MAKE THE GAME 1-1 GOING IN AT HALF-TIME.

IN THE SECOND HALF DRINAGH DOMINATED FOR THE 45 MINUTES. DANIEL O'REGAN MADE A BURST FROM MID-FIELD ON 49TH MINUTE AND PASSED TO O'DRISCOLL WHO FIRED HIS EFFORT ON GOAL ONLY FOR THE KEEPER TO PUT THE BALL OVER THE BAR. ON 60 MINUTES DAVE CURRAN PUT DOOLAN THROUGH IN THE BOX AND AGAIN THE KEEPER CAME TO BANTRY'S RESCUE WHEN HE MAKE A SPLENDID SAVE. WITH DENIS O'DRISCOLL AND KENNETH BURKE SO SOLID IN DEFENCE DRINAGH NEVER LOOKED LIKE CONCIEVING A SECOND GOAL. DRINAGH WON A FREEKICK ON THE EDGE OF THE BOX ON THE 72ND MINUTE. STEPHEN KEARNEY CURLED HIS EFFORT AROUND THE WALL BUT THE KEEPER SPILLED THE SAVE INTO THE PATH OF MIKE DOOLAN WHO FIRED IN DRINAGH'S SECOND.

DRINAGH SHOWED GREAT FIGHTING SPIRIT ALL THROUGH OUT THE 90 MINUTES WITH EACH PLAYEER OUTSTANDING ON THE DAY. IT FINISHED 2-1 TO DRINAGH WHO ADVANCED TO THE NEXT ROUND.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY, KENNETH BURKE, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, JJ HURLEY, ADAIN O'BRIEN, DANIEL O'REGAN, DAVID CURRAN, STEPHEN KEARNEY, LIAM YOUNG, ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN. SUBS USED: JAMES O'REGAN - DANIEL O'REGAN.

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DON HURLEY, DECLAN DEASY, CONNIE CURRAN.

Togher challenge fading after draw with Drinagh

Drinagh 0, Togher Celtic 0

Rival captains seen with referee Anthony McDonnell, centre prior to the premier division league clash at Drinagh. Drinagh captain J.J. Hurley is at left and right is the Togher Celtic captain Kevin Hurley.

There was little pre Christmas cheer in this top of the premier league table encounter at Drinagh. Going into this game the home side was leading the pack and fighting off the challenge of Togher in particular but at the end of the festive season it was Bunratty who were to emerge as the most likely to prevent Drinagh from winning this particular league title. However, at the start of this encounter, Togher Celtic were in a position where, if they won their games in hand, they would draw level with Drinagh. The point garnered in this game might yet prove invaluable in Drinagh’s bid to replace Timoleague as champions as they have four games remaining in their campaign and if they can take maximum rewards from all four they cannot fail. At times in this morning encounter, they played as champions elect should do but it was obvious that their firepower was severely diminished by the injury carried by Michael Doolan. The Drinagh front-runner was well off the pace as he struggled to shake off the effects of a knee injury. This didn’t prevent him from carrying out his defensive duties at times but when it came to outpacing the Togher defence Doolan struggled. When Darragh Connolly moved up to join him, Drinagh came more into a game where Micheál O’Regan was first to test Kevin McCarthy in the homesters goal. McCarthy advanced courageously to deny the Togher striker in the 13th minute and thereafter excelled between the posts behind his back four where Kenneth Burke emerged to give a five star performance. However their combined forces wasn’t enough on their own as they had to enlist the aid of Stephen Kearney and Michael Doolan to affect goal-line clearances in a period of second quarter Togher dominance. With Pat Lucey directing matters from midfield, the visitors applied the pressure until Daniel O’Regan moved out and Darragh Connolly switched to attack in a swop that enabled the home side to get more involved. Connolly drove just over and was then denied by a timely Kevin Hurley tackle as Drinagh finished the first half strongly. Stephen Kearney shot just wide in the last piece of action to a half in which the aerial battle between Gavin Daly and John Hayden proved fascinating. With Seán Holland reading the game as an experienced sweeper should and Kevin Hurley once again standing out as a class act in defence, Togher, restarted with efforts from Seán Holland and Johnny ‘Bonny’ Collins giving Drinagh cause for concern in the early stages of the closing half. The introduction of substitute, Paul Deane, should have given Togher even greater impetuous but the Drinagh defence coped admirably as Ronan O’Sullivan settled alongside the impeccable Burke. Aidan O’Brien also impressed as he swept forward from the left flank while Robert O’Regan toiled honestly in midfield. A rare defensive error from Togher allowed Darragh Connolly run onto a 72nd minute Kevin McCarthy clearance but the Drinagh attacker tried a lob that was plucked from its flight by Daniel McCarthy. The Togher ’keeper performed steadily all through a game in which a great Michael Doolan run almost set Connolly up entering the closing stages. Then Daniel O’Regan brought a good save from Daniel McCarthy before a Stephen Kearney corner was cleared off the line by Eric McSweeney. It was as near as the leaders were to come to collecting maximum rewards but the point taken stunted Togher’s challenge and left Drinagh’s destiny in their own hands.

Drinagh: K McCarthy, J J Hurley, R O’Sullivan, K Burke, A O’Brien, G Daly, R O’Regan, D Connolly, S Kearney, D O’Regan, M Doolan. Togher Celtic: D McCarthy, E McSweeney, P Kelleher, S Holland, K Hurley, P Lucey, J "Bonny" Collins, F Lyons, J Collins, M O’Regan, J Hayden. Subs, P Deane, B Lawton. Referee, Anthony McDonnell.

DALYS DOUBLE IS JUST THE TONIC FOR DRINAGH

When Kilmichael come to town its a day to sort the men from the boys and that is what happened as Gavin Daly stood head and shoulders above everyone he covered every blade of grass and managed to score two vital goals in the process.It all started well for the home team as the were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute up stepped Stephen Kearney but the keeper made a good save to keep the score at 0-0.Daniel O Regan was on fire up front causeing trouble for the defenders every time he got the ball it was his flick to Kearney who raced into the box and squared it to the feet of Daly who smashed home the first goal.Daly could have scored his second moments later only to see his effort shave the post from an accute angle.

In the second half O Regan and Darragh Connolly were superb.It was Connollys quick thinking that sent Kearney down the wing who looked up and spotted the run of Daly who powered home his header from 8 yards out to put the score at 2-0.On the 70th minute Kilmichael were awarded a penalty and scored to make it a very interesting last 20 minutes.Both teams were up and down the pitch trying to get a vital goal and the visitors nearly struck gold with the last kick of the game only for keeper Kevin McCarthy to make a world class save from point blank range to fingertip the ball over the bar.It finished 2-1 to Drinagh a day Mike Hurley,Denis O Driscoll were solid in defence Daniel O Regan,was very energetic up front but it was Gavin Daly who stole the show he was the engine of the team for the whole 90 minutes.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,JJ HURLEY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O DRISCOLL,AIDAIN O BRIEN,GAVIN DALY,ROB O REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,STEPHEN KEARNEY,DANIEL O REGAN,ADRAIN O DRISCOLL.

SUBS USED LIAM YOUNG - JJ HURLEY DAVE CURRAN - ADRAIN O DRISCOLL KENNETH BURKE - AIDAIN O BRIEN

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY,CONNIE CURRAN

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