Youngster, Liam Quinn who scored 1-3 for Creggan as they completed the double over Lamh Dhearg at Hannastown today
O’Neill’s Senior Football League Division One
Lámh Dhearg 1-08-2-12 Creggan Kickhams
By Kevin Herron at Hannahstown
Creggan completed a league double over Lámh Dhearg with a 1-08-2-12 win at Hannahstown this afternoon.
Kickhams had fourteen points to spare when the sides met at the start of July although it wasn’t as straight forward this time around – Liam Quinn rifled home a late first half goal to put the visitors in the ascendancy at the extended break after Sam Maguire went down off the ball.
An ambulance and air ambulance attended the scene and the game was delayed forty-minutes as referee Darren McKeown blew for half-time.
On the resumption Creggan picked up where they left off and a converted Ruairi McCann penalty appeared to seal the deal.
Paddy Cunningham kept Lámh Dhearg in contention from placed balls and despite Gerard Slane finding the net late on it was Creggan who claimed the spoils in an edgy affair that saw Creggan duo Richard Johnston and David McGuickin dismissed along with Chris Nolan from Lámh Dhearg for their part in a late skirmish.
Lámh Dhearg were quick out of the traps on a overcast afternoon at Hannahstown and took lead through after Brendan McComb turned over Oisin Kerr’s kick and picked out Declan Lynch who shot over the bar.
Lynch doubled his afternoon account after Kevin Quinn had his initial shot charged down, though Liam Quinn hit back for Creggan.
The opening quarter of the game was stop start as referee Darren McKeown struggled to maintain order due to various off the ball flare ups.
Lámh Dhearg were to suffer a blow as Kevin Quinn was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Stephen Tully.
Two minutes before the break Creggan levelled after Ruairi McCann turned the ball over for Creggan and Richard Johnston conjured up a superb score to make it 0-02-0-02.
Mark McIlvenny’s resulting kick was claimed by Odhran McLarnon who quickly fed Fintan Burke who shot the visitors into a 0-02-0-03 lead with the half-time break looming.
On the stroke of half-time Creggan hit Lámh Dhearg with a sucker punch – the hosts were angry that referee McKeown failed to spot a push on Eoghan McKeown but Creggan took advantage and a long ball picked out the run of corner-forward Liam Quinn who rifled past a helpless Mark McIlvenny to give his side a 0-02-1-03 lead.
There was concern at the end of the opening half as Creggan’s Sam Maguire went down off the ball – Maguire’s family rushed to his side as medical attention was sought in form of an ambulance and air assistance.
Referee Darren McKeown decided to bring a premature halt to proceedings and after consolation with both management teams the game would continue.
Upon proceedings resuming, Creggan increased their lead through Ruairi McCann who kicked an excellent point from range after Pearse Fitzsimons conceded a free at midfield.
Stephen Tully hit back with a shot that just about dipped over the bar but McCann would convert a further two-frees as Creggan led 0-03-1-06.
The visitors should have found the net for the second time through David McGuickin who went through one-on-one but was denied smartly by McIlvenny – a scramble ensured and McGuickin was denied by an inspirational Chris Nolan as Ciaran Flaherty eventually emerged with the ball and cleared the danger.
Liam Quinn was then denied by the large post, however ten minutes into the second-half Creggan had a super chance to find that elusive second goal when referee McKeown signalled for a penalty for a nudge by Flaherty.
Ruairi McCann took responsibility and confidently blasted to the net to give Lámh Dhearg a mountain to climb as they trailed 0-03-2-06.
Lámh Dhearg rallied however as Paddy Cunningham converted a free after Eoghan McKeown was cynically dragged to ground – the pace of McKeown caused the Creggan back line a variety of problems and led to Cunningham converting two further frees to reduce the deficit to six with little over ten minutes remaining, 0-06-2-06.
The sides traded scores through David McGuickin and Terry McCrudden – though Creggan had stepped up a gear and increased their lead through Quinn and a fourth converted point of the half by McCann.
An accurate shot from attacking wing-half back Brendan McComb sailed over the bar in between as Lámh Dhearg sought to keep the score board ticking over – but three points in succession finished Creggan’s scoring for the afternoon.
A goal chance appeared to be on for Paddy Coey who opted to take his point, Tiarnan McAteer and a converted Liam Quinn point completed the visitors scoring as they led 0-08-2-12 going into added time.
Lámh Dhearg continued to push for a consolation but were let down by the final ball into the area on a few occasions late-on – eventually Gerard Slane blasted home a consolation for the hosts to make it 1-08-2-12.
The sides would fail to finish the game with fifteen men as a late skirmish saw Chris Nolan see red – alongside Creggan duo Richard Johnston and David McGuickin though referee McKeown brought proceedings to an end shortly after as Creggan ran out convincing 1-08-2-12 winners.
Lámh Dhearg: M McIlvenny, C Nolan, A McAufield, M McGarry, G Slane (1-00), M Herron, B McComb (0-01), P Fitzsimons, D Lynch (0-02), E McKeown, C Flaherty, K Quinn, P Cunningham (0-03f), T McCrudden (0-01f), B Rice. Subs: S Tully (0-01) for K Quinn (24 mins), R Murray for B Rice (33 mins).
Creggan Kickhams: O Kerr, O McAteer, R Johnston (0-01), C McCann, S Maguire, T McCann, R McCann (1-04f), C McCann, D McCann, F Burke (0-01), P Coey (0-01), O McLarnon, T McAteer (0-01), D McGuickin (0-01), L Quinn (1-03, 0-01f).
Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)