DRUMOGHILL FC were crowned champions of the Brian McCormick Sports Donegal League Premier Division tonight when they picked up the point they needed against Gweedore Celtic.
Drumoghill FC 2-2 Gweedore Celtic
The visitors were in front twice on a nervy evening at the Moss, with Tómas Diver scoring twice. However, with Philip Whyte levelling initially to make it 1-1 before half-time, Drumoghill FC claimed the title through a goal from an unlikely source, when defender Ray Quinn slammed home their second equaliser 11 minutes from time. ‘
Photo caption: The Drumoghill FC squad celebrate the point against Gweedore Celtic that sealed the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division at the Moss this evening
[adrotate group=”62″]Michael Lynch’s Drumoghill, who required just a point from their last two games of the season to win the Premier Division for the first time since 1995, could’ve done without a last day cliff-hanger at Kildrum Tigers with Milford United sniffing.
Hughie Rua Gallagher’s Gweedore Celtic side were last champions in 2011 but this season have the threat of relegation hanging over them.
However, they started brightly and Jamie Boyle’s free from the edge of the Drumoghill penalty area caused some bother early on before Paul McAuley grasped it.
[adrotate group=”55″]Gweedore Celtic went in front on 29 minutes through a fine header from Diver after a cross from Colin Ferry.
It was almost two just two minutes later when Diver tried to get on the end of the Padraig Gallagher cross and after something of a scramble the hosts survived.
Drumoghill improved towards the end of the half. Firstly, six minutes before the break, a free-kick from Benny Bonner fell the way of Liam O’Donnell, who just just wide. Then, Patrick Rafferty left two defenders for dead before narrowly missing the target.
And the Drumoghill pressure finally was made count three minutes before the break when Whyte headed home an excellent free from Bonner after goalkeeper Michael McKelvey momentarily hesitated. It was 1-1 at half-time.
Gweedore Celtic
At the start of the second half, Gweedore scored a fine second goal. Again Diver was the scorer. Jaydel Alawiye came out with the ball and played it to Diver, who exchanged passed with Declan Doherty before making it 2-1 on 50 minutes.
Drumoghill now could only throw the kitchen sink and they began to create chances. A Bonner cross was then headed wide by Christopher Malseed and Rafferty was narrowly off the mark as well.
[adrotate group=”37″]With 12 minutes left, Gweedore Celtic were really playing on the Drumoghill nerves and almost went 3-1 up when Boyle put a cross to the back post and Doherty almost got in, only to see his effort blocked.
On 79 minutes Drumoghill got the goal they craved when Malssed knocked down a Bonner free and Quinn smashed low into McKelvey’s net.
On the night it was enough for a point. But it was a title success earned over the course of a season.
Drumoghill FC: Paul McAuley; Ray Quinn, David O’Carroll, Christopher O’Donnell; Gerard McGranaghan; Liam O’Donnell (Stephen O’Donnell 77), Christopher Malseed, Philip Whyte, Benny Bonner; Patrick Rafferty (Patrick Collins 90), Richie Moore (Ethan McCready 90+5).
Gweedore Celtic: Michael McKelvey; Eugene Ferry, Shane Porter, Paul Rua McBride, Padraig Gallagher; Jaydel Alawiye, Damien O’Sullivan, Declan Doherty, Colin Ferry; Jimmy Boyle, Tómas Diver.
[adrotate group=”46″] Tags: