Drinagh Rangers F.C. 2003/04

Please E-mail in any match reports or photos you may have as often as you can.

Match Reports from 2004/05 Season Click Here

Match Reports from 2002/03 Season Click Here

HAIL THE KING’S –AS DRINAGH ARE CROWDED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. Drinagh were crowded king’s of West Cork soccer for the second year in a row as they defeated Ballydehob 3-0 and won the league by a single point from second place Crossmahon.Drinagh had a large following today and they weren’t disappointed with the soccer that was served up,right from the start they set out their stall and took the game to a gallant Ballydehob.Drinagh had four good chances in the first 10 minutes the first was Gavin Daly when he burst into the box with the ball at his feet but the keeper blocked his effort.Daniel O’Regan had the next effort but his shot was hit too tamely and the keeper made an easy save.Daly was at it again when he tried to steer in a Mike Doolan cross but it went wide of the post.Dead ball specialist Mike Hurley swung in a pinpoint free kick on the 8th minute and Doolan towered highest in the box and headed to the back of the net,this goal seemed to calm any Drinagh nerves and took the game to the hob. Adrian O’Driscoll won the ball on the wing on the 22nd minute and cut inside his marker and passed to Pat White but White rushed his shot and it blazed high and wide.Goalkeeper Kevin McCarthy who was having little to do was forced to come off with a back injury and Alan Shorten was brought on in his place.It was fitting that Shorten had a role to play in such an important game as he is one of the long serving members of the team who doesn’t get many games but never complains about his position,within minutes of the start of the second half Robert O’Regan put Daly bearing down on goal,Daly slid the ball under the advancing keeper but somehow a Ballydehob defender managed to get back and hack it off the line.If anyone wasn’t to know Daly’s game he could be mistaken for a striker as he spends much of his time in the oppositions box and he deserved a goal today but his luck wasn’t in and it showed on again on the 51st when Doolan whipped in a cross but it flashed past his outstretched head with the goal gaping. On the 55th minute Daniel O’Regan used his strength in the box as he out muscled his marker and as he turned him he was upended and was awarded a penalty. Mike Hurley was the man who was given the job to surely seal the victory,up he ran and blasted it high into the roof of the net a quality effort indeed.Drinagh’s defence was excellent and was well marshalled with Ken Burke,Denis O’Driscoll and LiamYoung on tip top form.Young Pat-Joe O’Donovan was brought on instead of Daniel O’Regan and was involved in the third goal as he somehow raced from midfield with the ball and skipped past all the tackles and cutely cut the ball back to Drinagh’s player of the year Mike Doolan who made no mistake from 6 yards to make it 3-0 and shortly after that the game was blown up early and Drinagh had done what seemed impossible by winning the Premier League for the second year running.John Buckley made the presentation to Captain Gavin Daly and the champagne corks popped as Team management Declan Deasy and Don Hurley beamed with delight they had done a tremendous job all season but all the credit goes to every player who wore the Drinagh shirt with pride and battled hard all year to make Drinagh the Champions they deserve to be,special mention must go to all the supporters who travelled in all kind of weather conditions but this year’s title is dedicated to Kevin Hurley who passed away during the season he was also a Drinagh player but most of all he was a friend to all the players.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O’DRSCOLL,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)ROBERT O’REGAN,PAT WHITE,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DANIEL O’REGAN. SUBS USED PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN – DANIEL O’REGAN ALAN SHORTEN – KEVIN McCARTHY. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC SEALS VITAL VICTORY FOR DRINAGH.

Captain Gavin Daly scored one of his most important goals for the club today as it put the destiny of the title in their own hands.Once again Mother Nature tried her best to test Drinagh to the limit as a gale force wind spoilt this important game.Drinagh played with the wind in the first half but it was hard to string passes together but Adrian O’Driscoll nearly opened the scoring when he latched onto a pass from Pat White but scooped his effort over the bar.This was a solid and good spirited performance by Drinagh even with injuries to O’Driscoll and Darragh Connolly they still maintained a very good quality brand of soccer despite the conditions, and were rewarded 10 minutes before half time when Mike Doolan gathered a pass from Eamonn Connolly and lobbed the keeper but it got held up with the wind and spun back to the inrushing Gavin Daly who thumped it low and hard into the bottom corner a good strike from the mid-field man who’s driving force means so much to the team.It was a indifferent second half as Drinagh dominated but clear cut chances weren’t that pleantyful,Eamonn Connolly had a very good chance when he won the ball at the edge of the area but his shot on goal lacked power and the chance was lost.Ballydehob didn’t ever look like scoring but they never gave up the fight.Mike Hurley swung in a corner on the 83rd minute but it fell to the feet of Pat White but he couldn’t keep it on target this game finished 1-0 to Drinagh it was an easier victory than the 1-0 score line suggests but the wind didn’t help either team to produce their true attacking capability.Next Sunday is another big day for Drinagh F.C. as they aim for back to back Premier League Titles a feat rarely done by any team in the history of the West Cork League.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)PAT WHITE,ROB O’REGAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY, SUBS USED PAT –JOE O’DONOVAN - ADRIANO’DRISCOLL EAMONN CONNOLLY – DARRAGH CONNOLLY TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY.DON HURLEY.

7 STITCHES,2 RED CARDS AND A NAIL BITING FINAL 3 MINUTES.

Once again another thrilling encounter was served up again when Drinagh played Dunmanway Town and for the second time in the league the wind was a major factor.Town started with the wind in their favour but didn’t use it to their advantage as Drinagh started with a vengeance but were dealt a major blow when Rob O’Regan and Gavin Daly jumped for the same ball but Daly came out the worst as he had to be taken off with a very deep cut under his left eye and had to get 7 stitches to close the wound.Drinagh’s defence looked a lot more solid than it had in the previous weeks but it was one of Drinagh’s long serving players Mike Hurley who had to head for an early shower as he got involved in heated exchange with Town’s Micheal O’Donovan and both players saw red cards.The loss of two Drinagh players didn’t seem to unsettle them as players were shuffled around but Pat White and O’Regan held midfield tight and won most aerial battles.It was in the second half that Drinagh impressed most and it seemed that the wind died down a lot but it was a Stirling performance by Adrian O’Driscoll which inspired Drinagh in the attack as he tormented the Town defence on every attack,he should have put Drinagh into the lead when he had the best chance of the game when O’Regan slipped the ball into the box to him but O’Driscoll hit his effort low and hard past the keeper but wouldn’t go in.Yet again it was O’Driscoll who was gifted with another great chance as White won the ball on the wing and fed it to Darragh Connolly who spotted O’Driscoll standing unmarked on the penalty spot but somehow he only got a minimal touch on the ball and it trickled into the keepers hands at that point anyone who had anything to do with Drinagh were thinking its going to be one of those days and that all their luck for the season had run out.To give credit Drinagh never stopped going forward and were awarded a free kick on the 87th minute in their own half when Liam Young was fouled,Rob O’Regan took the free kick and in stormed Ken Burke who used his power and strength to rise highest and head the ball into the roof of the net it was just what the anxious supporters were looking for as they went wild on the sideline.It was hard to settle after the goal but Drinagh held firm and kept any Town attack at bay,when the referee did blow full time Drinagh had taken a vital step in retaining their Premier League Crown but still everyone must stay focused and calm as there is two games left both against Ballydehob but surely Drinagh cant let this one slip away. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)ROBERT O’REGAN,PAT WHITE,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED EAMONN CONNOLLY – GAVIN DALY PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN – EAMON CONNOLLY DONAL O’DRISCOLL – ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH IN BEAMISH CUP SHOCK.

On paper this looked like an easy win for Drinagh but team manager Declan Deasy had said on the radio the day before a game is never won on paper and how right he was as Drinagh were overcome by a hard fighting Gurrane Celtic team.It was clear from the start that it wasn’t going to be Drinagh’s day as Kenneth Burke had to come off early in the game with a back injury and Drinagh had to shuffle the team around but soon after they were a goal down as Gurrane took advantage of stale defending by the home team as they were allowed in all too easily to head home the opening goal with the keeper glued to his line.Drinagh didn’t have much to cheer about during the first half as Adrian O’Driscoll had the best chance but he couldn’t keep it the right side of the post.It was a different tale in the second 45 minutes as Drinagh upped the tempo and pushed more and more forward and it looked like Darragh Connolly was going to get the home team back in it but as he raced clear from a pass from Daly the ball took a dreadful bobble and rolled back to the keeper,but Drinagh got caught cold at the back again as Gurrane scored from the edge of the box to give them a dream 2-0 lead,shortly after that Daniel O’Regan sent Mike Doolan bearing down on goal, Doolan lobbed the advancing keeper but he palmed it into the path of Eamonn Connolly who was fouled just before he was to shoot into a empty net,Penalty said the referee and up stepped Darragh Connolly and slotted home with ease to throw Drinagh a life-line,Connolly was on the score sheet again moments later when a trademark Mike Hurley corner was floated into the box and Connolly used his quick feet to good advantage as he hammered in a second much to the relief of the supporters but attack after attack Drinagh couldn’t rattle the back of the net for the third time but it was O’Driscoll who went so close again as he gathered a pass from Pat White, he turned his marker and flashed the ball across the keeper and somehow stayed out this game headed to Extra-time but again any Drinagh pressure wouldn’t pay off with a vital goal so it headed to the dreaded penalty’s.Darragh Connolly got his hat-trick as he converted his second penalty of the game and Mike Hurley made no mistake as per-usual from the spot Gavin Daly&Kevin McCarthy drove both their kicks at the Gurrane keeper but unfortunately for Drinagh their Beamish Cup run was over as Gurrane had scored all their kicks. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DARRAGH CONNOLLY,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN,MIKE DOOLAN,DANIEL O’REGAN. SUBS USED EAMONN CONNOLLY – KEN BURKE ROBERT O’REGAN – DENIS O DRISCOLL PAT-WHITE – PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH LETTING THE TITLE SLIP AWAY.

This was such an important game for Drinagh if they won it meant they would take a huge step in retaining their Premiership crown.The weather conditions hampered any good play that was going to be on view because these two teams play good attacking soccer.It was a first half to forget for Drinagh as they battled against the wind and it was a first half to forget for Drinagh’s number one Kevin McCarthy as he gathered the ball inside the box on the 36th minute and tried to throw the ball down the wing but it got caught in the wind and fell to a Dunmanway Town player who picked his spot and lobbed the back peddling keeper and put the visitors 1-0 up.Drinagh’s only real chance on goal in the first 45 minutes was form Gavin Daly as he headed wide a Mike Hurley free kick.In the second half Drinagh had more of the possession but try as they may they couldn’t bulge the back of the Town net,Mike Doolan came close on two occasions but it was Kenneth Burke who came so close to getting the vital breakthrough when he forced the Town keeper into flying two-handed save,with time ticking away and 6 minutes left on the referees watch Mike Hurley fired another free kick into the box Adrian O’Driscoll out jumped everyone and curled the ball towards the back post but the ball bounced in front of the post but the spin of the ball took it the wrong side of the goal much to the dismay of the Drinagh players it finished 1-0 to Town who now look good for the double as for Drinagh hopefully they can find lady luck before these two teams meet in the league as the winners of that game will give a good idea who’s going to be PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,LIAM YOUNG,KEN BURKE,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,MIKE HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN) JAMES O’REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,DANIEL O’REGAN,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL. SUBS USED PAT-JOE DONOVAN – JAMES O’REGAN TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH DOUBLE-BASH LEESIDE IN THE BEAMISH CUP

Daniel (BASHER)O’Regan was on target twice today in the second round of this highly entertaining and much heated match. Drinagh got the dream start as they were 1-0 up minutes into the game when Darragh Connolly curled the ball into the box to Adrian O’Driscoll who thumped it first time across the goal in raced O’Regan who slid in and got vital touch ahead of the defender. The big powerful striker could have had a second on the 18th minute when Mike Doolan collected a Liam Young pass on the half-way line and raced towards the corner of the box and crossed to the incoming O’Regan who dived to head home but it whizzed past his head with only the keeper to beat. Leeside hit the crossbar once from the half-way line and the second from the edge of the box but did manage to score shortly before half-time. In the second half Drinagh were a lot more adventurous going forward with the likes of Pat-Joe O’Donovan getting more of the ball down the wing but it was Adrian O’Driscoll on the left wing that did the damage when he flicked the ball past his marker and whipped in a pin-point cross to the edge of the area where O’Regan flew through the air and powered home an superb second it had to be one of his all time best goals. Leeside never gave up the fight and could or should have got a second but Drinagh sent on fresh legs during the game and this seem to inject new ideas going forward as they won many corners and it was one of the subs Eamonn Connolly who curled the ball to the back, Doolan rose highest but headed against the side netting. Darragh Connolly worked hard in the centre of the park and was forced off with cramp but O’Donovan showed great prospects with his tireless running and the Drinagh back four playing better than they did for a while, but it was O’Regan who stole the show and booked Drinagh a date in the 3rd round against Gurrane Celtic.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DARRAGH CONNOLLY,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN,MIKE DOOLAN,DANIEL O’REGAN. SUBS-USED EAMON CONNOLLY – ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL ROB O’REGAN – DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

CROSSMAHON FINALLY ENDS DRINAGH’S 31 LEAGUE GAMES UNBEATEN RUN.

It had to happen some day and today was the day their amazing 31 league games unbeaten record was ended,with losing last week in the Premier Cup Drinagh had to grind out some sort of a result against Crossmahon if they wanted to retain the Premier League title. Both teams started well but it was Drinagh who came closest to opening the scoring when on the 11th minute Eamonn Connolly whipped a free-kick into the box and it crashed off the post and rebounded onto the chest of Darragh Connolly but he couldn’t keep it on target as it zipped past the post from a yard out at times during the game that bit of luck deserted Drinagh. Crossmahon did break the deadlock when they scored with a volley into the top corner and that was how it stayed up to half-time. Drinagh were a different team in the second half as they piled on the pressure Darragh Connolly showed some neat footwork when he lost his marker on the hour mark and spotted Gavin Daly free in the box, Daly miskicked but it fell to the incoming Mike Doolan who blasted the ball off the top of the crossbar and wide. Connolly was again involved in the build up to the best chance of the game when he crossed low into the box to Doolan but he squandered the chance with only the keeper to beat. Crossmahon doubled their lead with 72 minutes on the clock when the Drinagh defence were nowhere to be seen and scored all too easily. The Drinagh selectors were tearing their hair out trying to figure out how they were 2-0 down when they were playing so well so they switched things around and brought on fresh legs and for the last 15 minutes laid siege to the Crossmahon goal and with 8 minutes left Adrian O’Driscoll thumped a low ball into the box but it deflected to Mike Hurley who picked his spot and drilled it into the bottom corner. Drinagh won 4 corners in the last 5 minutes such as the pressure they were applying to the Mahon goal but Gavin Daly couldn’t keep their best chance on target. It finished 2-1 to Crossmahon who inflicted a rare two week in a row defeat on Drinagh and it was in the 2001-2002 season that Drinagh had last lost two in a row and it was to Crossmahon in the Beamish Cup Final.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O’REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED PAT WHITE – EAMONN CONNOLLY PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN – LIAM YOUNG. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY - DON HURLEY

DRINAGH BEATEN BY 5 STAR TOWN.

This was the first round of the Premier Cup a competition Drinagh had won 2 seasons ago.It was fixed to played in Dunmanway but was moved to Drinagh due to weather conditions,last year Town dumped the hosts out of the Beamish Cup and were at it again in Drinagh a pitch they seems to like in Cup games.Drinagh started brightly but not bright enough as Town were clinical in the attack they were 1-0 up after 16 minutes but Gavin Daly nearly had the score level on the 20th minute when he gathered a Mike Doolan pass but the keeper pulled off a one handed save to deny the Drinagh skipper.Whatever was in the air at this match it somehow put the Drinagh defence to sleep as Town were able to carve them open with ease and bang in 3 more goals before half-time to make the score 4-0 at half-time.In the second half Drinagh did try to mount some sort of a challenge but it wasn’t going to be Adrian O’Driscoll’s day as he was denied 3 times the first time when a Mike Hurley corner caused a scramble in the box it fell to O’Driscoll who turned and hammered the ball but it smashed off the keepers legs,Hurley was again involved in the build up to the next Drinagh chance as he let fly a shot from the half-way line and it hit the crossbar and it landed to O’Driscoll inside the 6 yard box but yet again the keeper denied him with a outstretched leg.Drinagh were trying in vain to break the deadlock but no matter what they tried they still couldn’t get back into the game and as they were slightly dominating, Town split the Drinagh defence as if it didn’t exist and slotted home a 5th.Doolan sent O’Driscoll clear again but he shot straight at the keeper and forced a corner but Drinagh couldn’t get on the scoresheet,it finished 5-0 to Town,who inflicted a heavy defeat on a Drinagh side that need to go back to the drawing board and ask some serious questions about the standard of poor defending on view today.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,LIAM YOUNG,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,MIKE HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DANIEL O’REGAN,PAT WHITE,JAMES O’REGAN,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL. SUBS USED DONAL O’DRISCOLL - LIAM YOUNG ALAN SHORTEN - DANIEL O’REGAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

RANGERS BEAT CELTIC IN THE BEAMISH CUP.

Drinagh Rangers were drawn away to Ilen Celtic in the Beamish Cup,and with Skibbereen having the best playing surface in West Cork this local derby was always going to be an eventful game.This game was played in very windy conditions and Drinagh had the wind in their favour in the first half.Both teams battled hard to dominate possession but with the wind at Drinagh’s back they were camped in Ilen’s half for long periods.Daniel O’Regan nearly got on the score sheet when he raced into the box to head a Mike Doolan cross over the bar.During the first 45 minutes of play having the wind in their favour sometimes did not help Drinagh as players found it hard to string the final pass together, but were rewarded with a bit of luck on the 34th minute as dead ball specialist Mike Hurley placed the ball on the half-way line and drive the ball all the way to the back of the net with a little assistance from the wind.It was a different game in the second half with Ilen enjoying the windy conditions but the Drinagh back four of Mike Hurley,Denis O’Driscoll,Ken Burke and Liam Young battled hard to keep Drinagh’s lead intact.James O’Regan spotted the run of Adrian O’Driscoll who raced past two defenders and was upended just outside the box by the last Ilen defender who counted himself lucky to stay on the field,it was these runs by O’Driscoll who caused their defence problems at times and he nearly got Drinagh’s second when Doolan again crossed into the box but couldn’t connect with his outstretched leg.Gavin Daly worked hard up and down the field and on the 83rd minute he played a one-two with Liam Young who crossed high into the box again Daniel O’Regan towered highest but again headed just over the crossbar.Drinagh who had battled hard throughout the game and got a well deserved second when Adrian O’Driscoll collected the ball from a Pat White pass and ran to the end-line and curled the ball across the goal to the head of Doolan who headed into the top corner it was the cushion that Drinagh needed because the goal was scored on the 88th minute and with Drinagh’s defence looking solid Ilen hadn’t time to get back into the game.It finished 2-0 to Drinagh who are looking to add the Beamish Cup to the trophy room this year and they got a welcome boost during the week when left back JJ Hurley finally got the cast off his leg and will be hoping to be back to full fitness soon.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O’REGAN,DANIEL O’REGAN,PAT WHITE,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL. SUBS USED DANIEL O’REGAN - DONAL O ‘DRISCOLL. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY, DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH GO 31 LEAGUE GAMES UNBEATEN WITH A 4-2 WIN.

The Drinagh bus rolled out of town and made the long journey to Sullane,and came away with a harder than expected 4-2 win.The visitors settled the quickest and were a goal up on the 11th minute when James O’Regan lobbed the ball over the top for Mike Doolan to race onto and curl the ball around the advancing keeper.Captain Gavin Daly could have made it 2 moments later when he jumped unchallenged in the box to head over a Mike Hurley corner.Drinagh did make it two after 23 minutes when Adrian O’Driscoll was fouled outside the box,up stepped Eamonn Connolly and fired a rocket of a free kick high into the roof of the net.Daly could have made it 3 on the half hour mark when he latched onto a pass from Connolly but couldn’t keep his effort on target.Eamonn Connolly was taken off shortly into the second half and O’Driscoll was moved up front and he had the ball in the back of the net with practically his first touch when he gathered the ball inside the half way line and dribbled his way passed the tackles and drilled his shot past the keeper from an acute angle.Then Drinagh pressed the self destruct button when they let Sullane back into the game,Drinagh who had the strongest defence in all 3 divisions coming into this game were pegged backed to 3-2 when Sullane scored two brilliant free kicks,it was no more than they deserved as when they were 3 down they never gave up the fight.Gavin Daly wasn’t having the greatest day in front of goal when he was sent clear again but put his effort the wrong side of the post.Pat White was brought on in mid-field and made a great run down the wing and crossed into the box where Daniel O’Regan connected with an outstretched boot to hammer home the fourth and put a bit of daylight between the two teams again.Doolan and Daly were guilty on the 89 minute of missing an easy 5th when O’Driscoll fired in a cross from the right wing Doolan miskicked and it fell to Daly but yet again fired high over the bar Daly deserved a goal but like the rest of his team mates he knew the 3 points were more important.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,LIAM YOUNG,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O’REGAN,DANIEL O’REGAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED PAT WHITE – EAMONN CONNOLLY DONAL O’DRISCOLL - LIAM YOUNG PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN - DANIEL O’REGAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY

CUP HOLDERS BOW OUT OF THE CARLING CUP.

Drinagh were in the final of this tournament with the past 3 years, and it is hard to Believe that they lost this game when they created so many scoring chances but With strikers like Eamonn Connolly,Darragh Connolly and Adrian O’Driscoll all missing it surely would have finished differently.Daniel O’Regan was the man to get the strikers roll and nearly opened Drinagh’s account within minutes when he flashed a header over the bar from a Mike Doolan cross.Then on the 11th minute the visitors were ahead when O’Regan crossed low into the box to Gavin Daly who miskicked but Doolan latched onto the loose ball and tapped home. As per usual Drinagh sat back and let Riverside into the game and they were soon level when they scored straight from a free kick. It was in the second half that all the action happened and Drinagh should have scored on the 53rd minute when Doolan crossed from the end-line to the feet of Liam Young who rushed his shot and blasted high over the bar with only the keeper to beat from 8 yards.James O’Regan put a ball through for Gavin Daly on the 60th minute who was put one on one with the keeper but smacked it off his legs,yet again the keeper came to the rescue moments later when Pat White put Daniel O’Regan bearing down on goal but shot straight at the keeper and force a corner,and from this Mike Hurley corner Drinagh should have scored twice when it fell to Daly but it was hacked off the line then it fell to Daniel O’Regan who thumped it from 5 yards but somehow the keeper blocked it and booted away.Ken Burke was next to miss when O’Regan spotted him free in the box but Burke snatched at it and curled high and wide with the goal gaping.James O’Regan who worked so hard in mid-field missed what looked like a certain goal in the last minute of full time when Doolan curled the ball to the back post,O’Regan slid in and somehow the ball squirted under his leg but if he had got a touch it surely would have been a goal as he was on the goal line.It headed to extra –time and penaltys but for the second time this season in cup competitions Drinagh would fail from the spot as Kevin McCarthy and Mike Hurley were the only 2 to find the back of the net.

Drinagh would like to wish all clubs and visitors to the DRINAGH F.C. page A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,DONAL O’DRISCOLL,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O’REGAN,PAT WHITE,LIAM YOUNG,MIKE DOOLAN,DANIEL O’REGAN. SUBS USED PAT-JOE O’DONOVAN – DONAL O’DRISCOLL TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DING-DONG DRINAGH ON A HIGH AS THEY REMAIN THE CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1. Drinagh are top of the table this Christmas thanks to a 4-0 victory over local neighbours Togher Celtic,but with the heavy rain that fell hours before kick off it made the pitch slippery and soft and didn’t help the flow of the game at times. Both teams started well but it was on the 17th minute before Drinagh had a clear chance on goal, it started when Mike Doolan crossed from the wing to the head of the incoming Gavin Daly who rattled his effort against the crossbar but the ball fell kindly to the feet of O’Driscoll who fired it past the keeper.O’Driscoll was involved in the second goal when he gathered the ball from a pass from Donal O’Driscoll and drilled a low hard shot on goal only for the keeper to parrie it into the path of Eamonn Connolly who picked his spot low into the bottom corner.It remained 2-0 to the home team going in at half time but in the second half Togher took the game to Drinagh but with the likes of Donal O’Driscoll who is excelling at right back making runs from defence and creating many chances he was involved in the build up to the 3rd goal when he passed to Connolly who cut in from the left and swung in an inch perfect ball for Doolan to latch onto and slide home the well worked goal.Gavin Daly should have made it 4 moments later when Pat White lobbed the ball over the defence for Daly to spin and shoot but shoot straight at the keeper with the goal at his mercey.Daniel O’Regan could also have got his second in a week but couldn’t keep his effort on target but it was Adrian O’Driscoll who was going to steal the show as he scored his second of the day and also getting 2 in the same fixture a few months earlier.Kevin McCarthy’s kick out was controlled by Doolan who slipped the ball through to O’Driscoll to pounce and curl home Drinagh’s fourth, and yet he was nearly on for the hat-trick when Doolan turned provider yet again when he picked his spot but fired across the goalmouth and wide.That is how it finished 4-0 to

Drinagh who would like to wish all clubs and visitors to the DRINAGH F.C. page a HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,KEN BURKE,DENIS O’DRISCOLL,DONAL O’DRISCOLL,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O’REGAN,ADRIAN O’DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH LEFT WANDERING AFTER 27 GOAL THRILLER.

If anyone had to pay an entrance fee to watch this one it would have been money well spent. Cobh Wanderers were in Drinagh in the 3rd round of the Munster Junior Cup and were one up within the first 12 minutes, but Daniel O'Regan had the home team back in it minutes later when he volleyed home a Mike Hurley free kick from 6 yards. Darragh Connolly twisted and turned his marker inside out on the wing and curled the ball to the back post to the head of Mike Doolan who set up Eamonn Connolly to slot home into a empty net. It stayed 2-1 well into the second half and with Adrian O'Driscoll tormenting the Cobh wingers Drinagh were creating a few good chances none better than when Liam Young set Eamonn Connolly clear on goal,Connolly spotted the advancing keeper and chipped the ball over him but his effort went wide of the mark but straight from the kick out Cobh were given a lifeline when the bounce of the ball hit the hand of Daniel O'Regan and they were awarded a penalty and they didn’t miss to put the game at 2-2 with 27 minutes left on the clock. Drinagh took their foot off the gas and allowed Cobh in for another goal 3 minutes later. Mike Hurley was on hand again on the 71st minute when he floated in another free kick into the box and it fell to the feet of Eamonn Connolly who poked in his second of the game and it stayed 3-3 at the end of full time and so it headed to extra-time. In the first period of extra time both teams were a bit fearful of going too far forward but it was the second half of extra time that things livened up Adrian O'Driscoll could have got the winner when Gavin Daly crossed to him but he couldn’t keep his shot on target after beating his marker. Alan Shorten was brought on up front and nearly was on the score sheet when he headed a Doolan cross towards goal but the keeper clawed it out and it was powerfully headed back in by Daly only to see it shade the wrong side of the post. That was the last piece of action and it was Lottery time as it headed to penalty’s. Ten players took one and scored they were Kevin McCarthy,Gavin Daly,Liam Young,Mike Hurley,James O'Regan,Eamonn Connolly,Pat-Joe O'Donovan,,Adrian O'Driscoll,Alan Shorten,Mike Doolan.Cobh scored the 11th and it was up to Denis O'Driscoll to keep the show going but unluckily for him he kicked straight into the keepers hands Cobh headed into the next round as Drinagh bowed out but the likes of Kevin McCarthy,Gavin Daly,Denis & Adrian O'Driscoll and Darragh Connolly who ran himself into the ground and had to be taken off with double cramp these players did not deserve to be on the losing side.

TEAM: KEVIN McCARTHY,DONAL O'DRISCOLL,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,JAMES O'REGAN,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DANIEL O'REGAN,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED LIAM YOUNG,PAT-JOE O'DONOVAN,ALAN SHORTEN

TEAM MANAGEMENT: DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY

CONNOLLY SMILING IN SCHULL AS HE STEALS THE SHOW AGAIN.

Eamonn Connolly loves the game against Bunratty because he always brings his shooting boots and always answers Drinagh's call against the old enemy.This game kicked off with players missing due to work and suspension and 2 players suffering with flu but played so it was a game selectors had to dig deep into the squad. As usual Bunratty dominated the first 10 minutes but it didnt take long before Drinagh drew level on possession. It was the Connolly brothers that seemed to be up for the game from the start it was these 2 players who combined after 20 minutes with Darragh curling the ball from the wing to the feet of Eamonn who sailed his effort over the bar from 7 yards.Yet again these 2 players were involved moments later when Darragh turned past his marker and whipped the ball into the box to Eamonn who slotted his shot into the bottom corner. It was his second goal in Town Park in 2003 his first a goal he will never forget. It was a game dominated by solid defending by both teams which created few chances on goal but Gavin Daly came closest from a Mike Hurley corner on the 70th minute.It was a game where it would be hard to pick a man of the match as most players worked hard in their positions and when the Referee blew full time Drinagh had collected 3 points in Schull for the first time in 15 years.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,JAMES O'REGAN,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,DONAL O'DRISCOLL,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DANIEL O'REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,ADARIAN O'DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED PAT-JOE O'DONOVAN - JAMES O'REGAN

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

STONES,GOALS AND 3 POINTS

It looked for a long time before this game got underway that it wasnt going to be played and by the time kick off was to take place both teams and selectors were picking stones off one of the most dangerous surfaces seen in years,but when the ref got the ball rolling Drinagh were to play one of their best games of the season against one of the hardest teams to beat at home Leeside.Darragh Connolly looked very lively in the opening half and after 6 minutes outpaced his marker on the wing and whipped in a cross to Adrian O'Driscolls's outstretched leg but couldnt keep his effort the right side of the post.Connolly again gave the Leeside defence more headaches minutes later when he again spotted the runner into the box in Mike Doolan but he blazed over the bar from 5 yards.The old saying often says third time lucky and that was true from Connolly when he again left his marker for dead and put in another inch perfect ball to O'Driscoll who made no mistake as he calmly slotted home Drinagh's goal.Although Drinagh dominated it took another 15 minutes before they scored and it was Ken Burke who curled the ball from one box to the other but Doolan was first to react and slotted it under the advancing keeper.In the second half it was more of the same for the visitors who wanted more goals and were soon on the scoresheet again when Daniel O'Regan thumped the ball to Doolan who gathered it outside the box rounded the keeper and slotted it into the empty net.Gavin Daly should have made it four when O'Regan whipped the ball across to Connolly who fired a cracker on goal but the blocked effort by the keeper fell to Daly but somehow shot high and wide.Drinagh's fourth goal was a well worked goal as it started at the back with Liam Young spreading it to Daly who the gave it to O'Regan who first time laid it off to Doolan who curled the ball into the feet of Connolly who blasted his effort past the stranded keeper from 7 yards.Leeside did get 1 back with the very last kick of the game, with alot of stones picked off the pitch before the game hopefully they will be the stepping stones for Drinagh to retain their Premier League Crown. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,DONAL O'DRISCOLL,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)PAT WHITE,JAMES O'REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL SUBS-USED DANIEL O'REGAN - JAMES O'REGAN LIAM YOUNG - DONAL O DRISCOLL EAMONN CONNOLLY - PAT WHITE TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY

10 MAN DRINAGH BEAT A VERY CROSS-MAHON.

Tempers flared at times during this closely fought game which saw Pat White seeing red half-way through the second half but 10 man Drinagh held on and held their nerve in the penalty shootout to advance to the next round of the Munster Junior Cup.Crossmahon were 1 up after Quarter of a hour but Drinagh were back level thanks to Mike Doolan on the half-hour mark.It was a route 1 goal when keeper Kevin McCarthy pumped a high ball into the box to the head of Adrian O'Driscoll who out jumped his marker and it fell to the feet of Doolan who slotted home.Both teams tried invain for the next 80 minutes to break the deadlock but extra time couldnt find a goal so it went to the dreaded penalty kicks.Darragh Connolly was up first and tucked it into the corner,Crossmahon scored their first aswell so it was Adrian O'Driscoll's turn and he picked the same spot as Connolly but Kevin McCarthy saved Crossmahon's second.Mike Hurley was next in line and thumped his effort past the keeper but Crossmahon scored again.Denis 0'Driscoll took the long walk and the long run up but he shot into the keepers hands.Crossmahon slid home their fourth.Captain Gavin Daly cooly slotted home Drinagh's final spot kick but Crossmahon followed Daly into the same corner and it finished 4-4 after 5 kicks,so it headed to sudded death Ken Burke was brave enough to head to the white spot and pick his spot in the top corner but yet again Crossmahon scored again by outfoxing McCarthy in goal,MAC wanted to get revenge so he picked up the ball and headed to the spot kick he took 2 steps and drove the ball high past the keeper,but the Crossmahon keeper wanted to do the same so he placed the ball on the spot only his shot came crashing back off the post and Drinagh had finally won after 7 kicks penaltys are a lottery but today Drinagh had the lucky ticket. TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,DONAL O'DRISCOLL,DANIEL O'REGAN,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)PAT WHITE,JAMES O'REGAN,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRIAN O'DRISCOLL. SUBS USED DARRAGH CONNOLLY - DANIEL O'REGAN PAT-JOE O DONOVAN - JAMES O'REGAN TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY - DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH DEFEAT KILMICHAEL IN MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP.

Drinagh's captain and vice captain provided the goals in todays clash with Kilmichael with Gavin Daly getting the only goal of the first half and Mike Doolan getting two in the second half.This was a stop start game by the home team but both teams could have gone in 3-3 at half time.On the 12th minute Mike Hurley's corner was headed out to the feet of Daly who shot over the bar with the keeper stranded,but he got on the scoresheet after 20 minutes when Drinagh work a very good move when Kevin McCarthy passed to Pat White who squared it to James O'Regan he turned past his marker and from the edge of the box crossed to the head of Daly who made no mistake from 5 yards.Daly could have scored again moments later when he spotted the keeper off his line but he managed to get a fingertip to stop Daly's lob.Kilmichael should have scored 3 minutes before half-time but Denis O'Driscoll made a wonderful tackle on the Kilmichael striker when he was just about to shoot into an empty net.In the start of the second half Drinagh had to thank JJ Hurley and Ken Burke between them the managed to clear the ball off the line before it rolled into the net.Later in the game JJ Hurley was stretchered off with a fractured leg when he was involved in a bad tackle.On the 54th minute another Mike Hurley corner was floated into the box where there was a mighty goalmouth scramble but Doolan managed to poke it home.Pat White won the ball in midfield on the 77th minute and flicked to Adrain O'Driscoll who skipped past the tackles and bent his effort just wide of the post.Eamonn Conolly was brought on to add more power to the strikeforce and with his first touch put Doolan clear but he lobbed the keeper and the ball hit the top of the crossbar and went over.White and O'Driscoll were involved in the second goal when the combined a one-two with each other and the latter found Doolan in space and he thumped the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area to ensure the game finished 3-0 to Drinagh but the victory was soured by the injury to JJ Hurley but we all wish him a speedy recovery because he is such an important player on and off the field.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,JJ HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)DANIEL O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,JAMES O'REGAN,MIKE DOOLAN,ADRAIN O,DRISCOLL. SUBS USED EAMONN CONNOLLY - DANIEL O'REGAN DONAL O'DONOVAN - JJ HURLEY LIAM YOUNG - JAMES O'REGAN. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DOOLAN DOES THE TRICK FOR DRINAGH.

Mike Doolan scored a hat-trick and Darragh Connolly got the other as Drinagh looked for their first home win of the season in the league.It started well for the home team as Drinagh dominated from the start.The first goal of the game came just after 10 minutes when Daniel o'Regan treaded the ball through to Doolan who scored from an accute angle.Then on the 22nd minute Goalkeeper Kevin McCarthy passed to the feet of Denis O'Driscoll on the half way line O'Driscoll thumped the ball across into the box where Doolan outjumped the Sullane defence and headed powerfully into the top corner.The game died a little after the goal but in the second half Drinagh clicked into gear again.Daniel O'Regan who had an outstanding game on the wing nearly got on the scoresheet after 50 minutes when he connected a slide pass from Connolly but his effort just shaved the crossbar.James O'Regan won the ball in midfield on the 58th minute and put the ball over the defence where Doolan raced onto his pass and rounded the keeper and scored his hat-trick.Mike Hurley won a corner on the 62nd minute and he took it himself but it was cleared by the Sullane defence but it fell to Pat White who fired through a crowded penalty area but he was very unlucky to see the ball flash wide of the post.McCarthys quick thinking after 69 minutes set up Connolly who raced towards goal he lobbed the keeper but yet again it went wide.James O'Regan played a one two with Pat White on the 72 minute O'Regan charged at the Sullane defence but was fouled just outside the area,he picked himself up and curled the ball around the wall and the keeper caught it then let it slip through his hands but just managed to collect it again before it crossed the line.Daniel O'Regan won the ball on the wing on the 80th minute and crossed first time into Darragh Connolly who managed to shake off his marker and slot home his first of the game.It finished 4-0 to Drinagh where they have gone 23 league games unbeaten.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,JJ HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,KEN BURKE,MIKE HURLEY,DANIEL O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,JAMES O'REGAN,ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL,MIKE DOOLAN(CAPTAIN)DARRAGH CONNOLLY. SUBS USED EAMONN CONNOLLY - ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL DONAL O'DRISCOLL - JJ HURLEY TIMMY O'BRIEN - DENIS O'DRISCOLL. TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH MARCH ON AS DOOLAN HITS A CLUB RECORD.

Mike Doolan entered the Drinagh history books today as he became the clubs all time leading goalscorer with his 204th goal.A record held proudly before by Declan Deasy who had hit 203 in his colourful career.It was Doolan who got the first goal of the game away to Ilen Celtic.Darragh Connolly played a delightful ball through the defence Doolan pounced and curled the ball around the advancing keeper.Within 3 minutes of the second half these two players combined for the second goal as Doolan spotted Connollys run he skipped past two players and cooly rolled the ball past the keeper.On the hour mark a silly mix up in defence let Ilen in for a goal.All was restored on the 72nd minute when Daniel O'Regan won a corner Mike Hurley drilled the ball into the box and it was Drinagh's captain Gavin Daly who got the vital touch to score the 3rd.Both teams could have scored more but when time seemed to be nearly up Connolly raced to the sideline gathered the ball turned his man and sped to the box where he was upended he picked himself up and thumped home the 4th his second of the game.Just as the Referee was to blow full time Drinagh's defence got caught napping when Ilen were let in for a soft second goal.It finished 4-2 to Drinagh which meant it was another good day on the road as they collected 3 more points.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,JJ HURLEY,TIMMY O'BRIEN,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,MIKE HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,EAMONN CONNOLLY,MIKE DOOLAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY. DANIEL O'REGAN - JAMES O'REGAN ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL - EAMONN CONNOLLY KENNETH BURKE - TIMMY O'BRIEN.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DON HURLEY.

SUPER-SUB O'DRISCOLL GIVES TOGHER DOUBLE TROUBLE.

Drinagh headed to Dunmanway for their first away game of the season to play Togher.Drinagh started well and had the ball for long periods of the game but had to wait until the half-hour mark before Pat White treaded the ball through to the feet of Mike Doolan who shot low across the keeper and into the net.Drinagh nearly doubled their advantage 5 minutes after that when Gavin Daly headed just over from a Mike Hurley corner.Hurley swung in another corner 3 minutes into the second half and it fell kindly to the feet of Eamonn Connolly who made no mistake from 2 yards.It was hard to believe but by the 65th minute the game would be level when firstly Togher won a very harsh penalty where the keeper came up and scored and 3 minutes later were let in all to easy to score their second.Daniel O'Regan and Adrain O'Driscoll were brought on to spice up the attack and spice it up they did.O'Driscoll's first piece of action was to win the ball in mid-field and cross a first time ball into the box where Doolan did a over head kick only to see his fine effort tipped over the bar by the ever impressive Togher keeper.Daniel O'Regan won a corner on the 81st minute and Hurley yet again swung in a perfect cross in ran O'Driscoll and powerfully headed into the top corner of the goal.Within 5 minutes he was on the scoresheet again when a short kickout by the Togher keeper landed to his feet 6 yards inside the Togher half he looked up spotted his chance and lobbed the backtracking keeper all the way to the back of the net a truely magical goal.Togher couldnt find a way back after that so it finished Drinagh 4 Togher 2 and Drinagh can thank their little boy wonder for all 3 points.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,TIMMY O'BRIEN,JJ HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O'REGAN,PAT WHITE,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED DANIEL O'REGAN - DARRAGH CONNOLLY ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL - EAMONN CONNOLLY

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

"BIG MAC" STOPS BUNRATTY'S HUNGER FOR GOALS.

Drinagh's goalkeeper Kevin McCarthy seems to be one of the most improved players at the club at the moment.He performed heroics in goal when Bunratty came to town time after time he denied some great attacks by the visitors and he turned out one of his best performances in a Drinagh jersey to date.Drinagh's best chance of the day came when Eamonn Connolly crossed the ball into the box and it took a deflection off a Bunratty defender and spun past the post.Everytime these two teams meet its always a hard fought batttle but when the Referee blew full time both teams were happy with a point each.

TEAM KEVIN McCARTHY,MIKE HURLEY,DENIS O'DRISCOLL,TIMMY O'BRIEN,JJ HURLEY,GAVIN DALY(CAPTAIN)JAMES O'REGAN,DARRAGH CONNOLLY,PAT WHITE,MIKE DOOLAN,EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED DONAL O'DRISCOLL - JJ HURLEY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY,DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH FAIL TO IMPRESS YET AGAIN AT HOME.

Last season Drinagh were crowned Champions but it was their home form that was the most worrying part of their game. This Season Leeside were the first up in the league. Drinagh got the first goal of the game when the captain led by example when he latched onto a cross by Mike Doolan and fired an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. Nearly straight from the tip-off a mistake in midfield let Leeside through on goal and they made no mistake to put it 1-1 at half time. Drinagh looked to have found the winning goal with 18 minutes left on the clock when a Mike Hurley corner was met by the head of James O'Regan who made no mistake from 6 yards. Yet again Drinagh were caught napping when straight from the tip-off Leeside charged the Drinagh goal and scored their second to make sure the game finished 2-2.

TEAM KEVIN McCarthy, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, TIMMY O'BRIEN, JJ HURLEY, GAVIN DALY (CAPTAIN), JAMES O'REGAN, PAT WHITE, DARRAGH CONNOLLY, MIKE DOOLAN, EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED ADRAIN O'DRISCOLL - PAT WHITE, MICHEAL O'DRISCOLL - DARRAGH CONNOLLY, DANIEL O'REGAN - JAMES O 'REGAN.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY, DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH HIT PIKE FOR 8.

After last weeks hard game it was another journey into the unknown with Pike Rovers the new kids on the block came to Canon Crowley Park. Drinagh fielded what looked like on paper a much weakened team with Gavin Daly, Daniel O'Regan, Ken Burke, Pat White, Adrian O'Driscoll, Kevin McCarthy and Liam Young all missing from action. Mike Doolan scored 3 Darragh Connolly got 2 and Eamonn Connolly, Robert O'Regan and Thomas Hayes getting a goal each. This 8-0 victory puts Drinagh into the next round of the Carling Cup, a cup they have been in the final the last 3 years in a row.

TEAM ALAN SHORTEN, MIKE HURLEY, DENIS O'DRISCOLL, TIM O'BRIEN, JJ HURLEY, DARRAGH CONNOLLY, DAVE CURRAN, JAMES O'REGAN, MICHEAL O'DRISCOLL, MIKE DOOLAN, EAMONN CONNOLLY. SUBS USED LIAM CURRAN - MIKE HURLEY, ROB O'REGAN - EAMONN CONNOLLY TOMAS HAYES - DARRAGH CONNOLLY.

TEAM MANAGEMENT DECLAN DEASY, DON HURLEY.

DRINAGH DEFEND CARLING CUP WITH HARD EARNED VICTORY.

Ardfield were the team Drinagh drew in the first round of the Carling Cup and they really took the game to the defending Champions. Mike Doolan headed home the first goal of the game from a Eamonn Connolly cross but Drinagh sat back and Ardfield stepped up the pace and scored with 20 minutes to go. The game was going from end to end at this stage but Daniel O'Regan made a run from midfield and squared it to Doolan who fired in his second with 8 minutes left. Drinagh held on and lived to fight another day.

DRINAGH LIFT FIRST EVER MICHAEL CRONIN MEMORIAL CUP.

This game was played in perfect conditions in Lyre with the Premier League Champions Taking on the Beamish Cup Winners. Eamonn Connolly had the ball in the net after 10 minutes he was the last player to score last season for Drinagh as his goal earned the draw that they needed to lift the League Title. Mike Doolan had a goal disallowed and Gavin Daly saw a cracking shot come back off the crossbar before Pat White stormed into the box to head powerfully to the back of the net from a Mike Hurley corner. White made the third as he found Dave Curran in the box who slotted home the third to give Drinagh a 3-0 victory. Michael Cronin was a man who hade a great passion for the game of soccer. He was hugely respected as a manager of Crossmahon F.C. and as a Board Member of the West Cork Soccer League but most of all he was a friend to every club, he was what we call "A GENTLEMAN"

DRINAGH FINISH PRE-SEASON GAMES AND GATHER MORE SILVERWARE.

Drinagh's first pre-season game took them to Durrus to play in the Carnival Soccer Tournament in which they played the hosts in the final. It finished 1-1 at full time Mike Doolan getting the only Drinagh goal of the game. The game headed straight to penalties Kevin McCarthy, Dave Curran and Daniel O'Regan all converting but it was a unlikely hero in Ritchie Collins rolling back the years and saving two Durrus spot kicks to ensure Drinagh lifted the cup in style.

e-mail your Drinagh Rangers match report here or to drinaghfc@iol.ie

Copyright © 2003 All rights reserved