Monday, 6 November 2017 at 02:38 AM Galvin Early
Owen Roes' senior team hoped to cap their return to Pairc an Ghleanna after 3 months with a home victory but were denied by a spirited Drumragh Sarsfields.
The home side had a four point buffer at the break, and a two point lead in injury time. However they needed a late Andy Devine free to take something from the game.
The away team signaled their intent early on with a three point to no score lead, but Ronan Parker intercepted and pointed a Drumragh clearance and then two Devine dead ball scores tied things up.
Drumragh nosed back ahead on 11 minutes, but another Devine free and further scores by Sean Dooher and Brendan Boggs, following good work by Gerard McShane took the Leckpatrick side into the lead. Drumragh pointed either side of a Stephen Harper free before the games first goal.
Conall McCormick's booming effort fell shy but Seamus Dooher flicked to the net. Good interplay by Sean Dooher, and Parker gave Ryan McAleer the chance to strike over with Parker getting a second score of the half late on.
Nonetheless Drumragh hinted at their battling spirit with two late scores to leave them just adrift at the break.
Within 7 minutes of the restart Owen Roes' healthy four point lead was blew away as the away team swarmed forward with four points in a row. Indeed on 42 minutes Drumragh nudged in front with another placed kick.
However back came Owen Roes, and Ryan McAleer's surging run was ended by a foot block in the scoring zone. Harper stepped up and made no error from the spot.
When sub Charles O'Doherty raised a white flag five minute later it looked like the O'Neills had weathered the storm. Nonetheless there was a twist or two remaining.
Drumragh pulled one back on 53 minutes and the home side were indebted to a Ryan McShane save a few seconds later. Truth be told, it looked like the home side would see out the last few minutes without alarm, but a quickly taken free was whizzed across the box and slammed to the net for a lead goal.
The game still had time to run, and deep in stoppage time Andy Devine held his nerve to caress over a tricky free to take a share of the spoils.
Ryan McShane, Kevin O'Neill, Stephen Kelly, Conor Doherty, Sean Dooher (0-1), Gerard Devine, Conall McCormick, Gerard McShane, Brendan Boggs (0-1), Ryan McAleer (0-1), Andy Devine (0-4), Seamus Dooher (1-0), Ronan Parker (0-2), Michael Dooher, Stephen Harper (1-1). Subs: Charles O'Doherty (0-1) for O'Neill (33 mins), Eamon McBride for McCormick (42 mins), Ryan Devine for Seamus Dooher (42 mins), Seamus Dooher for Parker (44 mins), Marty O'Neill for Andy Devine (59 mins), Andy Devine for Sean Dooher (61 mins).
