All County Minor Football League – Division 1
Kickham’s Creggan 6-15 Tir na nOg 0-09
Creggan Kickham’s carry on ahead of the pack leading the ratings in the minor league when they proved too strong for a gallant Tir na nOg side at their Staffordstown road arena on Tuesday evening.
The home side breasted the winning line with a sizeable advantage but despite the margin in the defeat endured by the Randalstown boys the Whitehill residents gave of their best, and took the game to their hosts at times remaining focused right to the long whistle.
The Tir na nOg boys arrived as big outsiders but they did not look overawed in the early exchanges and in fact they nipped away into a two point lead in the early stages as a trio of white flags raised by the impressive Aaron Mc Neilly, and another from Daniel Hastings offered hope.
The home side started briskly with Tiernan Mc Ateer and Liam Mc Cann collecting early points but as the Randalstown boys dominated the next phase to earn that two point advantage, but such was not to last for long.
Creggan did strike at the heart of their gallant visitors when big full forward Lee Johnston collected a Liam Mc Cann lofted delivery to place Eunan Mc Ateer in for a 16th minute goal and the Kickham’s lads were on their way.
The Home side took the positive route as they dominated and Tiernan Mc Ateer grabbed back to back points and a precision based Keelin Mc Cann delivery to Lee Johnston opened the way for the big man to send to the back of the net.
Tir na nOg regained composure when Tomas Potter split the posts but as the end of the opening period neared the home side gave further employment to the scoreboard attendant.
Jamie Mc Cann, Dominic Mc Ateer and Liam Mc Cann raised white flags apiece and when the latter added a goal the Creggan boys reigned supreme.
Tiernan Mc Ateer was in for a 30th minute point to extend advantage with the visitors having the last say as the ever accurate Aaron Mc Neilly sent over the bar.
Creggan went into the break with a healthy 3-09 to 0-06 advantage and looked in complete charge.
The home side started the second period in a hurry and points from Keelin Mc Cann, Dominic Mc Ateer and Cormac Mc Cann extended advantage and when the skill laden Mc Ateer added a goal the die was well cast.
Creggan had moved to a 4-12 to 0-06 lead and barring major accident were on their merry way to another brace of points.
Tir na nOg never looked like crying enough at any stage in the game but the Randalstown lads always looked to be swimming against the tide.
The Whitehill boys had their moments however and a long solo run and a fine Declan Mallon 42nd minute point was one such example but although the home side entered an erratic phase and five bye balls were recorded in sequence order was soon restored as Cormac and Jamie Mc Cann recorded points apiece.
The visitors added another score as centre forward Aaron Mc Neilly sent over a super 43rd minute point but back to the offensive went the Creggan boys as Liam Mc Cann drove through the middle to add a 54th minute goal with Jamie Mc Cann following suit a minute later.
The deal was done and the home side were on the way to another win but after Eunan Mc Ateer split the posts again the last say was to go to the gallant visitors as central defender Dara Feagan went forward to grab a late point just prior to the final whistle which saw the Creggan boys complete with a 6-15 to 0-09 advantage.
Creggan: Joe Sweeney, Eathan Carey-Small, Dermot Carey, Eoin Mc Auley, Killian Burke, Jamie Mc Cann (1-02), Morgan Walsh, Keelin Mc Cann (0-01), Liam Mc Cann (2-02), Eunan Mc Ateer (1-02), Tiernan Mc Ateer (0-04), Cormac Mc Cann (0-03), Lee Johnston (1-00), Brian Mc Ateer, Dominic Mc Ateer (1-02). Subs: Diarmuid Mulholland for L Johnston, Joe Mc Ateer for E Carey-Small
Tir na Nog: Ricardo Conciero, Oliver Mc Atamney, Cormac Devlin, Aaron Reid, Luke Carey, Dara Feagan (0-01), Luke Maguire, Declan Mallon (0-01), Jack O’ Mahoney (0-01), Aaron Mc Neilly (0-06), Ewan Murray, Mark Porter, Thomas Potter (0-01). Subs: Ciaran Potter for E Murray, Nathan Mc Kee for O Mc Atamney
Referee Paul Burns (St Gall’s)