O’Neill’s All County Football League Division One
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-18 St Mary’s Aghagallon 0-04
Cargin appear to have got it together again after a couple of back to back reversals on the league trail and the Toome men impressed when they proved too strong for the visiting Aghagallon in perfect conditions on a pristine sod at their Toome base on Friday evening.
The Erin’s Own men started in the opening period against the breeze but it was not to prove a hindrance and by the end of the opening period it was more than apparent that the elements were to prove of little consequence as they held an 0-08 to 0-02 lead.
Aghagallon struggled to make impact and having missed a couple of early chances to open their account confidence was low and employment of the scoreboard attendant was infrequent as points by Eunan Walsh and Gareth Magee were to prove their lot.
Cargin continued in the second portion wind assisted and when Michael Mc Cann opened the way for his brother Tomas to find the net in the 35th minute the home side had moved into a 1-11 to 0-02 lead and the size of the winning margin was the only thing in question.
The Toome men continued to push forward in the second half and such was the dominance Damien Cassidy took the opportunity clear his bench. The Toome men continued their domination with the St Mary’s men restricted in opportunity as a well marshalled Cargin rear guard stood firm in defiance.
Gareth Magee did raise a 42nd white flag in the Aghagallon cause with an excellent last minute Oisin Lenaghan score completing their total as Cargin breasted the winning line at 1-18 to 0-04.
Having endured a big defeat to Creggan in the O’ Cahan cup semi in a mid-week St Mary’s Aghagallon arrived at Toome on Friday evening seeking the restoration of confidence as they were to cross swords with Cargin.
The home side had returned to winning ways after a couple of earlier reversals in the league and in the event they were to underline current wellbeing right from the outset.
Aghagallon had the assistance of a brisk northerly wind in the opening portion but it was to be the home side who were to leave the start blocks the better with early points from Ciaran Bradley and Tomas Mc Cann raising white flags apiece in the early minutes.
The Aghagallon men looked low in confidence in the early phase and such was evident as several chances were spurned to open account and Cargin had nipped away to a 0-04 to 0-00 lead by the 10th minute.
Jamie Gribbin slipped inside to receive from Tomas Mc Cann and add a 6th minute point with the latter despatching a 30 metre free on the same direction a few minutes thereafter.
The Aghagallon net minder Gavin O’Neill was forced into action in the 14th minute to make an excellent save as another slick approach which turned defence into attack in a twinkling and featured the talented Michael Clarke on approach as he sent Jamie Gribbin in to test the keeper at the expense of a ‘45’.
Aghagallon did open account in the 17th minute as Gareth Magee sent a 40 metre free over the bar to finally get the visitors off the mark, and when Eunan Walsh followed suit a couple of minutes later they appeared to be finding their feet.
The travelling support possibly had cause for optimism at this juncture but when Ciaran Bradley came forward to add another stylish Cargin point and his fellow wing man David Johnston added another, the ‘Green machine’ were back in charge.
Another impressive approach opened the way for Michael Mc Cann to have the last say with a 29th minute point and see Cargin take respite with an 0-08 to 0-02 lead despite having faced the elements.
Cargin’s Tomas McCann in action during his team’s win over Aghagallon. Pic by Damian McKee
Cargin started the second portion as they finished the first, and when Kevin Mc Shane, Jamie Gribbin, and Ciaran Bradley raised white flags apiece and Tomas Mc Cann bagged a 35th minute goal the die was cast.
The flying winger was on hand to finish to the net after Enda Mc Grogan had won possession on the left hand side and crossed to Michael Mc Cann who opened the way for his sibling to find the target and at 1-11 to 0-02 the end was in sight.
Cargin were dominant in most areas and although the Aghagallon men did cause John Mc Nabb to clear his lines on a couple of occasions the Toome men were well organised and direct on the counter.
Ciaran Bradley who impressed with his new assignment on the half back line added 39th minute point and Michael McCann, who was always central to approach, added another.
The visitors opened their second period account with a Gareth Magee 44th minute score but Cargin hit back with points from Jamie Gribbin and Tomas Mc Cann (2)
With the issue well resolved the home side emptied their bench in the latter stages taking opportunity to give game time to several replacements as Tomas Mc Cann and Jamie Gribbin followed with further points.
Aghagallon’s mid fielder Oisin Lenaghan had the last say when he despatched a long range effort between the posts, but the 29th minute effort came as scant consolation with the well organised home side stepping over the winning line points secured, and full value for a 1-18 to 0-04 win.
CARGIN: John Mc Nabb, Gerard Mc Corley, Martin Kane, Michael Clarke, Ciaran Bradley (0-04), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston (0-01), John Carron, Kevin Mc Shane (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan, Michael Mc Cann (0-02), Paul Mc Cann, Tomas Mc Cann (1-06), Jamie Gribbin (0-04), Michael Magill
Subs
Brendan Laverty for D Johnston
Joe Maybin for E Mc Grogan
Jamie Kennedy for M Clarke
Oran Mc Auley for J Gribbin
AGHAGALLON: Kevin O’ Neill, Aiden Mulholland, Dan Donnelly, Mark Mc Kenna, Michael Mc Stravick, Jack Lenaghan, Pat Brannigan, Des Marshall, Oisin Lenaghan (0-01), Eunan Walsh (0-01), Gareth Magee (0-02),Ciaran Brady, Dara Mc Alernon, Ruairi Mc Cann, Ruairi Loughran
Referee Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)
Pics by Damian McKee – Picture Magic Studios