Drumoghill 4-2 Curragh Athletic
9 Mar 2025
Liam O'Donnell and Kealin Bogle struck late to decide this contest after Drumoghill had look liked they would have to settle for a point from this must win encounter.
Anything less than 3 points would all but end any remaining hopes of promotion and Drumoghill began with this very much their intention.
They started well and took the lead through an excellent Liam O'Donnell strike in the 16th minute. They had chances to extend this lead but Richard Moore, Karol McGinley and Gareth Hamilton were all denied by Jason Woods in goals for Curragh.
Woods was having an inspired game and it seemed to provide a boost to those outfield when a quick fire double from John Chambers had turned the game on its head midway through the first half.
Chambers tapped past Lockhart to level the scores on 24 minutes before the striker latched onto Conor Galvins pass to exploit a mixup in the Drumoghill rearguard to put his side into the lead shortly afterwards.
Drumoghill though restored parity on the stroke of half time when Gareth Hamilton headed home a Karol McGinley free kick that was adjudged to have crossed the line, despite the best efforts of Dillon Murphy to keep it out.
It was now game on and Drumoghill were dominant throughout the second half as they chased the win that was needed. However, Robert McShane, Aaron Toner and goalkeeper Jason Wood were proving to be difficult barriers to breakdown.
As the game wore on, Curragh sensed their own opportunity to win it and had the best chance of the second half when Caolan Duffy sent Chambers through on goal, but a brilliant save from Ryan Lockhart denied him his hattrick.
As the game approached the final minutes, Drumoghill threw everything in search of the winner that was needed and their efforts were rewarded in the 90th minute when referee Ryan Carlin spotted a handball and awarded the penalty.
Liam O'Donnell made no mistake sending Woods the wrong way from the spot on 89 minutes.
Drumoghill made absolutely sure of the points when Kealin Bogle fired home after good work from Gareth Hamilton to make it more comfortable than it really was.
Credit to both sides for an entertaining encounter played in perfect Spring weather conditions.
