First Waterbreak Dromintee 0-04 Crossmaglen 0-02

Half-time Dromintee 0-04 - 0-05 Crossmaglen

Full-time Dromintee 0-06 1-06 Crossmaglen

This was a terrific wholehearted effort by a wonderful group of girls who sweated blood & sweat this evening in a pulsating championship contest. The contest went right to the wire and Dromintee can hold their heads up high. When these girls wake up in the morning sore and bruised they will realise how close they came to getting to a championship semi final. Having to field without the central forward spine of the team with Holly Morgan out due to a serious head injury last week and also having to field without the impressive Sarah Graham Dromintee had an inexperienced forward line who came up against a resolute and no nonsense Crossmaglen back six. While Crossmaglen will rue lots of missed chances Dromintee too can also rue a number of missed frees and second half goal opportunities and if either of the aforementioned players had been available maybe the result could have gone Dromintee’s way.

The entire defence played valiantly & their defending was resolute & their efforts forced Crossmaglen to shoot under pressure while at midfield Aoibh O’Neill was majestic and covered the ground with her strong running and constant foraging. Up front Grainne O’ Rourke continues to impress with her link play and tireless work for the team while Rose Boden tried hard to take the forward threat to Crossmaglen. Every girl should feel proud of their efforts this evening & it is clear that Dromintee have narrowed the gap and are not far away from making a significant breakthrough.

Team on night: Emma Murtagh; Ciara Walker: Cliodhna Mc Coy; Katie Conlon; Laura Campbell: Sarah Conlon: Blinne O’Neill capt.: Aoibh O’Neill; Ellen Kissward: Grainne O’Rourke; Rose Boden; Nicola Campbell; Anna Lindsay: Niamh Mc Cormack; Lizzy Daly; Subs Sky Muldoon for Lizzy Daly; Lizzy Daly (sub goalkeeper)for Niamh Mc Cormack : Katie O’Rourke & Tiarnagh Shannon, Aoife Murphy + Aoibhe Hoey.

Eleven of the team are still eligible next year & thus there are grounds of optimism & they can put the championship defeat behind them when they play the same team in the league next Monday evening at the Dromintee venue.