O’Neill’s All County Minor Football League Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 5-18 Kickham’s Creggan 2-08
Cargin having seen the ranks replenished of late as their injury woes lessened somewhat and such has had impact as after losing out by the minimum in their previous assignment when they crossed swords with the table topping Aghagallon they followed up with a comprehensive victory in this one against near neighbours as Creggan on Tuesday evening.
They were quickly out of the start blocks and with Ronan Gribbin bagging a couple of early goals, and Paudie Mc Laughlin adding another they had a healthy 3-02 total before their visitors found the target.
The flame haired Gribbin had found the net less than a minute into proceedings after Pat Shivers had won the opening throw in and finding Shay Bovill to off load to the advancing wing half forward to plant the ball to the net.
Eunan Quinn who was set to impress in the central zone added with a point in the 2nd minute and after Creggan’s Morgan Nelson sent just wide of the target at the other end when in search of a goal and Lee Johnston’s lofted delivery was just wide of the target the elegant Paudie Mc Laughlin left several trailing in wake to add a third goal before Shay Bovill added a point.
The home side were really buzzing in the opening phase and with result on the board as a Eunan Quinn interception in the central zone opened the way for Ronan Gribbin to race away on the left to grab an 8th minute goal and Cargin were at 3-02 to 0-00.
Creggan badly needed a score to ensure they settled to the task on hand and after Joe Mc Ateer came close to finding the net as his blasted volley past the wrong side of the posts Dominic Mc Ateer grabbed a couple of points as he hoisted a couple of back to back white flags.
Cargin were forced into double change to personnel as early as the 10th minute as the high fielding Pat Shivers was forced out of the game after picking up a leg injury and defender Malachai Johnston was also forced to call in a day with a similar complaint.
Benen Kelly and Patrick Bothwell were sent in to replace the stricken duo and the latter was to make early impact as it was his lay off which opened the way for Christopher Bateson to move in on goal and when the latter was impeded in the striking action a penalty was the immediate conclusion.
Shay Bovill assumed spot kick duty and with positive return as he tucked the leather into the corner of net and ensured a 4-02 to 0-02 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.
The home side despite having been forced into early change were continuing to dominate and as the ever accurate Shay Bovill added a couple more points and Paudie Mc Laughlin and Sean Og O’Neill followed suit with scores apiece they were 4-06 to 0-02.
Creggan regained composure in the latter minutes of the opening period as Joe Mc Ateer grabbed a couple of points and Dominic Mc Ateer added another but with the home side’s Paudie Mc Laughlin raising another white flag and Shay Bovill following with a brace the Toome lads enjoyed a comfortable 4-09 to 0-05 advantage at the break.
The home side started the second period with an early score as Paudie Mc Laughlin had the ball over the bar in the opening minute and they looked comfortable.
Creggan were down but as events were to unfold the Kickham’s lads were not to be counted out as they grabbed a hold of the baton and took the game back to their previously dominant hosts.
The visitors were to dominate the next phase and as events were to unfold they were to fire a warning shot over the bows of the home as the lively Dermot Mulholland grabbed back to back goals.
The wing half forward had left several green shirted defenders trailing in his wake to make inroads before firing to the back of the net in the 32nd minute and when he punched a point, and when Dominic Mc Ateer registered a minute later Creggan looked fully on the recovery trail.
The home side were most certainly shaken out of the lethargy of their previously occupied ‘comfort zone’ as their visitors laid siege with points from Sean Donnelly, Morgan Nelson and Dominic Mc Ateer adding fuel to the Creggan recovery mission.
The home side really required a return to the positive and with the ever excellent Christopher Bateson and Eunan Quinn leading the return they regained to offensive and after Ronan Gribbin, PJ Quinn and Shay Bovill raised white flags apiece they seemed back on course, and when the skill laded Paudie Mc Laughlin followed with a 50th minute goal they were back on course.
The Toome lads had weathered the ‘mini storm’ and were to dominate the remainder wit Benen Kelly stroking a 53rd minute ‘45’ between the posts and Shay Bovill, PJ Quinn, and Paudie Mc Laughlin following suit they were to cross the winning line points secured with a 5-18 to 2-08 winning advantage.
Cargin
Peter J Mc Aleese, Malachai Johnston, Ruairi Mc Cann, Oran Molloy, Sean Mc Auley, Mark Keegan, Conor Kelly, Pat Shivers, Eunan Quinn (0-01), Christopher Bateson, Sean Og O’ Neill (0-01), Ronan Gribbin (2-01), PJ Quinn (0-02), Shay Bovill (1-08), Paudie Mc Laughlin (1-04)
Subs
Benen Kelly (0-01) for P Shivers
Pat Bothwell for M Johnston
Creggan
Conn Mc Gee, Michael Young, Aaron Herbinson, Rory Mc Veigh, Oran Hampsey, Dylan Hinfey, Peter Mc Ginley, Lee Johnston, Sean Donnelly (0-01), Joe Mc Ateer (0-02), Eunan Mc Ateer, Dermot Mulholland (2-00), Morgan Nelson (0-01), Dominic Mc Ateer (0-04).
Referee J O’ Donnell (Con Magees)