All County Football League Division One A

Erin’s Own Cargin 2-17 St Mary’s Aghagallon 2-12

by Geordie McGuckin

Cargin retained the Eddie Fitzsimmons Memorial Trophy for another term after they proved just too strong for a spirited challenge from Aghagallon at the Shore Road on Wednesday evening, crossing the winning line on a 2-17 to 2-12 scoreline. With nearest challengers Creggan failing to collect the points at Corrigan and St Gall’s coming a cropper up at Hannahstown the Toome men are assured of the title before next week’s trip to Lamh Dhearg completes their league programme for 2017. Aghagallon arrived in Toome smarting from their demise when they crossed swords with Cargin in the O’ Cahan cup decider a few weeks past and if the St Mary’s side looked to set the record straight they at least proved that are not as far behind the league champions as they appeared on the that evening in Portglenone.

Cargin led their neighbours from the outset but although an early point from the impressive Kieran Close and a Ciaran Bradley goal which followed in closely afterwards aided them into a 1-01 to 0-01 lead by the 5^th minute and hinted at a ‘no contest’ to follow such was not as predicted. Aghagallon hit back with an early goal of their own as full forward Ciaran Brady seized a lofted Gareth Magee delivery and when the latter stepped forward to despatch back to back free kicks firmly between the posts the visitors had nipped away to lead at the end of the opening quarter. The home side were looking less than assured in the early part but with the busy Kieran Close, who was to complete with an impressive personal tally of (1-08), ensured his team returned to the front again when a precision based approach involving Michael Mc Cann and Ciaran Bradley opened the door for the wing half forward to find the net. Cargin were to continue in the vanguard thereafter but never allowed to settle in the lead with the Aghagallon men continuing to snap at their heels. A dominant five minute period which brought four white flags for the home side, three of them from the ever accurate left boot of Kieran Close, hinted at a runaway success but the visitors were not to be knocked  out of stride as centre back Gareth Magee knocked over a couple of frees to stay in contention but the home side did have the last say of the opening half when Ciaran Bradley moved in on the left to split the posts and give Cargin a 2-08 to 1-05 lead at the short whistle.

Cargin continued in the second phase as they had concluded in the first with a Kieran Close point in the opening minute and although Aghagallon were quick to offer reply as midfielder Eunan Walsh made good progress up the left side to fire over the bar and early replacement Damien Hagen added another. The game was now real end to end fare, and although the home side looked in control they just could not shake off the challenge offered by their visitors. A superbly taken Paul Mc Cann point extended the Cargin advantage but the home side looked less than comfortable with unforced errors a prime cause of concern as off loads in the offensive were often proving just that fraction off. Aghagallon continued to push forward with ambition and looking quite comfortable at times in approach, and although the home side continued to hold the them at arm’s length they proved consistent in approach and continued to look for a return for endeavour. When Shane Russell helped himself to a trio of points in a three minute spell from the 41^st to the 44^th minute the home side’s lead was reduced to five points, 2-13 to 1-09 and the visitors were suddenly back in contention.

Cargin introduced Michael Magill for the last quarter and the replacement returning from injury soon had an impact as he signalled his arrival with a splendid point from his first touch, and after Kieran Close added another Magill followed with his second score within minutes Magill had really signalled arrival and the home side moved clear at 2-16 to 1-11 but Aghagallon were not about to lie down and let the home side take full control. The St Mary’s side kept on until the finish and after full back Ryan O’ Neill and Michael Mc Cann swapped points the visitors brought the curtain down in stylish conclusion when centre forward Caolan Farr left a few home side defenders trailing in his wake before firing the leather to the corner of the net. A super score to end the contest, but offered in consolation from the gallant Aghagallon men with the long blast following shortly thereafter as the Erin’s Own crossed the line points, and another division one title secured.

Cargin

John Mc Nabb, Donnach Mc Keever, Marty Kane, David Johnston (0-01), James Laverty, Justin Crozier, Ronan Devlin, Kevin Mc Shane (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, Kieran Close (1-08), Michael Mc Cann (0-02), Brendan Laverty, Ciaran Bradley (1-01), Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Michael Clarke (0-01).

Subs

Michael Magill (0-02) for C Bradley

Jamie Gribbin for K Close

Joe Maybin for G Mc Cann

Aghagallon

Robert Haire, Aiden Mulholland, Ryan O’ Neill (0-01), Aaron Doherty, Adam Shanks, Gareth Magee (0-05), Pat Brannigan, Oisin Lenaghan, Eunan Walsh (0-01), Shane Russell (0-03), Caolan Farr (1-00), Gerard Lenaghan, Mark Mc Kenna (0-01), Ciaran Brady (1-00), Niall Mc Shane

Subs

Darren O’ Hagan for A Shanks

Conor Mc Kavanagh for O Lenaghan

Caolan Reynolds for D O’ Hagen

 

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