DRINAGH RANGERS 4

DRINAGH RANGERS B 1

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

DRINAGH Rangers emerged with all three points from a club derby against Drinagh B to mark the first-ever West Cork League Premier Division fixture played on the new Canon Crowley Park astroturf pitch.

An historic occasion for the progressive WCL club saw its two Premier Division representatives deliver an entertaining match amid dreadful conditions.

That was only half the story however, as Canon Crowley Park’s brand-new astroturf pitch looked immaculate under floodlights on Monday evening. This newly-developed facility represents a huge addition to Drinagh and surrounding areas. It will serve Drinagh Rangers’ adult men’s and women’s teams, along with a growing academy of underage footballing talent, well in the coming years.

As for the match itself, Rangers’ fifth victory in six league games elevated the winners three points clear of Clonakilty Soccer Club and Lyre Rovers at the summit of the Premier Division standings.

The previous day, reigning champions Clonakilty’s 3-3 draw away to Dunmanway Town increased the pressure on Rangers to maintain their title push. On the night, a brace of Tom McQueen penalties plus Barry (H) O’Driscoll’s double was enough to see off Drinagh B.

Drinagh Rangers' Cillian Fitzpatrick tries to close down Drinagh Rangers B's Damien Femandes.

Awful weather conditions – a gale wind and unrelenting rain – were present for much of the evening. Thankfully, a perfect playing surface allowed a fast-paced game to develop.

Drinagh A enjoyed the greater possession with Robbie McQueen whistling an effort wide and a Mark Grace header narrowly missing. In response, Drinagh B used the counter-attack to good effect with the Fernandes brothers, Daniel and Damien, repeatedly stretching their opposing back four.

A goal looked likely and the first strike on the new Canon Crowley Park pitch arrived after 18 minutes. It was fitting that one of the club’s longest serving campaigners and all-time leading scorer wrote his name into the history books. Barry O’Driscoll (H) timed his near post run to perfection and turned Robbie McQueen’s low cross into the net to push Drinagh A in front.

Drinagh B responded positively with Eoghan Daly forcing a marvellous save from Paddy McCarthy.

Chances increased towards the end of the half with Padraic Hegarty and Michael Hennigan each denied by Shane Kingston. But failing to build on their lead, Drinagh A conceded an equaliser just past the half hour. Ryan Daly’s deep cross came back off an upright where Daniel Fernandes reacted quickest and slammed home the rebound.

Drinagh Rangers' Michael Hennigan on a charge against Drinagh Rangers B's Evan Fitzpatrick.

Opportunities were wasted at either end, including a Drinagh B goal ruled out for offside, before the half ended with the score tied one apiece.

Drinagh didn’t have to wait long to retake the lead. Barry O’Driscoll (H) was brought down in the penalty area three minutes after the restart. Tom McQueen made no mistake from 12 yards.

Shane Kingston kept Drinagh B in the game courtesy of a string of excellent stops, the young goalkeeper denying Mark Grace and Barry O’Driscoll (H) in successive attacks.

But Drinagh B couldn’t break down their opponents’ back four prior to a third and match-clinching goal after 75 minutes. An unfortunate handball saw referee Colin Clancy point to the penalty spot for a second time. Tom McQueen repeated his earlier feat, giving Shane Kingston no chance, to make it 3-1.

The cushion of that two-goal lead saw Drinagh retain possession until Robbie McQueen crossed for Barry O’Driscoll (H) to head home his second goal of the evening.

It ended 4-1 on an historic night as Canon Crowley Park’s new facility hosted its first competitive match.

Drinagh Rangers: Paddy McCarthy, Donal O’Donovan, Steven Crowley, Robbie McQueen, Tom McQueen, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Michael Hennigan, Padraic Hegarty, Barry O’Driscoll (H), Mark Grace, Harry Carey.

Subs: Daniel McCarthy, Padraig Cronin, Eoin Hurley, Gearoid White.

Drinagh Rangers B: Shane Kingston, Darragh Coakley, Denis O’Driscoll, Finian Deasy, Conor Bradfield, Eoghan Daly, Liam Daly, Ryan Daly, Eamonn Fitzpatrick, Daniel Fernandes, Damien Fernandes.

Subs: Anthony O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Donovan, Conor McCarthy, Caolan O’Driscoll, Gavin McCarthy, Kenny Kingston, Jack O’Sullivan.

Referee: Colin Clancy.