Drumaness ease past derby rivals Kilmore

Drumaness ease past derby rivals Kilmore

6 August 2025

THE football season kicked off on Saturday with an exciting local derby as Drumaness Mills entertained newly promoted Kilmore Rec.

Both sides featuring new signings during the league break, with Adam Garland joining the Mills from Castlewellan, and James Mahoney moving to Kilmore from Strangford.

The first 15 minutes of the game were needed to settle the nerves and it was Kilmore who had the first real chance for goal in the 18th minute when defender Conor Curran sent a long pass to Shay McGrattan, whose initial shot was blocked by Garland.

The rebound came back to McGrattan and his second effort was turned away by goalkeeper Aaron Carberry for a corner.

Three minutes later, Kilmore were back on the attack and Curran shot just after a move involving Rhys Flanagan and Joe Healy.

Drumaness almost took the lead when Jack Sharvin nearly pounced on a short kick-out by Kilmore keeper Laurence McGonagle.

Kilmore came close to scoring from a couple of corners, including one which Christopher Magee headed just over the Mills crossbar.

Just before the interval Drumaness almost took the lead when Tom McNeill delivered a great cross to Declan Looney, who shot into the side netting.

Drumaness dominated play early in the second half . They won a free kick on the edge of the box after a tackle on McNeill, but Callum Dougan shot high over the crossbar.

From a corner by Keegan Domican, Looney forced a great save by McGonagle, while Sharvin was unable to get on the end of a cross by McNeill in front of goal.

With 55 minutes on the clock, McNeill was left in plenty of space, but shot just wide.

The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when Looney headed home by a cross from McNeill.

It did not take long for them to double their lead when Jack Sharvin scored from the penalty spot after he brought down inside the box by Cai Gemmell. McGonagle chose the right direction, but the ball flew into the top right-hand corner of his net.

Kilmore look to respond quickly. Mahoney forced a good save from Carberry, who his time to kick out and referee blew whistle to award a free, which ultimately is a corner under the new rule.

With five minutes remaining Michael Carville went straight down the middle and shot for goal, but Gallagher was there to block the chance. Right at the death Kilmore broke upfield once again, but Curran’s cross was headed wide by Healy.

A good second half by Drumaness Mills, who had strong attacking options in Looney, Sharvin and McNeill.

Kilmore can take a lot of positives out of the game, and can expect to hold their own in the Premier Division this season.

Drumaness: A Carberry, K Domican, S Holland, G Murdock, P Brannigan, D Looney, S Gallagher, C Dougan, J Sharvin, T McNeill, A Garland. Subs: A McGrattan, R Milligan, S Kelly.

Kilmore: L McGonagle, J Mahoney, C Curran, C Magee, C Gemmell, R Clarke, J Healy, S McGrattan, C Conlon, A Burtney. Subs: J Murray, M Carvill.