A huge crowd were present on Friday evening to witness what was surely one of the best matches ever played at Ballinamullin.
Dromore and Carrickmore minors put on a thrill a minute show that ebbed and flowed with both teams enjoying periods of dominance and both teams missing late chances to claim the title.
Right from the off the quality on both sides was obvious. Carrickmore were out of the traps quickest with Ciaran Cuddy and Patrick Mc Elduff beavering busily in the opening stages to keep the Dromore defence on their toes. Cuddy bagged a goal halfway through the opening period to put his team three in front and their opponents looked rattled.
However Dromore made one or two switches and slowly warmed to the task. Points from John Mac Rory and Oran Sludden kept the blues in the game and in spite of an injury to key forward Sludden they fought back from four down as the game entered injury time to tie the game at the break following a point from Ryan Mc Cusker and a goal from the fist of Caolan Mc Carron.
The second half was even more competitive and entertaining as Emmett Mc Nabb, Ryan Mc Cusker and Odhran Rafferty carried the game to Carrickmore. With less than ten minutes remaining Dromore opened up a three point lead following a great score from Caolan Mc Carron and two fine points from the boot of Emmett Mc Nabb.
Carmen were forced to dig deep but they showed great character and determination to not only level the match but take the lead. Dromore were reduced to fourteen players after an off the ball incident and immediately Carrickmore capitalised on their extra man. Ciaran Daly finished off a fine team move to find the net with seven minutes of playing time remaining.
Momentum was very much with Carrickmore at this stage and they looked set to claim the title when Sean Donnelly scored his team’s ninth point of the game to put his team one up.
Dromore looked out on their feet but somehow they summoned up the energy to tie the game deep in injury time courtesy of a superb Mc Nabb free. However there was still time for further drama as Carrickmore full forward Conor Loughran miscalculated his attempt on goal with his side’s last chance. Dromore then had a chance of their own but fatigue prevented Nathan Mc Carron from converting a late, late opportunity and the game ended all square.
It was a fitting end to a superb game which neither side deserved to lose.
Final score : Carrickmore 2-9, Dromore 1-12.
Referee Stephen Campbell.
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