CCS 5-5
Rosses CS 3-11
O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny
The rain stayed away for the duration of the game. However, its non-stop presece over the weekend left a notable mark on the pitch and left conditions difficult for both teams. The bright yellow rig of the CCS lads was unrecognisable after the game which was a clear indicator of the battle complete.
The first half was very nip and tuck with CCS getting the first two points of the game through Conor McNally and Rocco McDaid, before the Dungloe side settled. They then came back, getting 1-1 to take the lead. However, a point from Josh Walsh followed by 2 McNally goals put CCS 2-3 v 2-1 up. A Rosses point finished out the half leaving the minimum between the sides at half time.
The 2nd half started well for CCS and Niall O'Donnell got through to put over a good point from distance. The next 10 minutes turned scrappy with Rosses pressing well and converted a few easy free opportunities. The momentum was with the Dungloe men but the tide turned again for CCS when Cian Lafferty hit the net, followed a minute later by another McNally goal which left the score at 4-4 v 2-6. Dungloe didn't drop the heads and weren't for giving up. They went straight down the pitch and buried the ball in the back of the net to bring it back to the minimum again.
With nothing between the teams and 10 minutes left, a long ball sent into the Rosses box lead to a scrap for the ball, which fell kindly for Ben McColgan who guided the ball into the corner of the net for our 5th goal of the game. Another few frees and well taken points brought Rosses level again - nothing could separate the sides. With less than 2 minutes to go it was McDaid yet again who stepped up to put the ball over the bar to put CCS a point up; a score that looked like the winner...but as shown throughout the game, Rosses weren't done and drove downfield, right through on goal, before a last ditch tackle took ball and man. The ref awarded the free and with the final kick of the game Dungloe levelled the match for the final time.
In what was a great test for both teams, a draw was probably a fair result. It now leaves us waiting on the result between Ballyshannon and Stranorlar to see how we progress in Ulster, with more big tests ahead.