ACF League Division One (A)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-16 Casement’s Portglenone 1-14
A brace of goals by Cargin corner forward Oran Mc Auley saw his side come from behind their visitors Casement’s and in the event paved the way for a win for the Toome men in a keenly contested contest on Wednesday evening.
Casement’s having gained the points on their last away trip arrived in Toome in a positive mood and in the event ensured the home side would have to keep a firm shoulder to the wheel before crossing the line points secured.
Casement’s had started obviously meaning business although the home side had created an opening to find the first score as centre back Justin Crozier strode through the middle directly from the throw in, only to see his effort whizz past the post when a goal looked possible.
The opening score fell to the visitors when Michael Hagen sent a 30 meter free between the posts and Paddy Kelly’s fine effort from an acute left sided angle doubled the tally.
Cargin drew level by the 7th minute as Tomas McCann punished an indiscretion on the incoming Tony Scullion by firing over the bar and a Jamie Kennedy clearance opened the way for Justin Crozier to follow suit but back to back points from Niall McKeever saw the Portglenone men restore their two point advantage.
The O’ Cahan Park side most certainly meant business on a ground in which they had struggled to make impact in the past and Dermot McAleese shrugged aside a couple of challenges to open the way for the big mid fielder to fire over the bar and when the latter punched a Paddy Kelly cross on the same route they had gone 0-04 to 0-02 ahead and looking good.
Jamie Gribbin’s delivery sent Kieran Close away for a fine point in the 12th minute and when Michael McCann was impeded his sibling Tomas gained retribution with a point from the placed effort.
The Toome men were back alongside again but not for long as Paddy Kelly gathered out on the left side to fire over and when the corner man delivered into the danger area a couple of minutes later to cause confusion, Conal Delargy was on hand to take the gift on offer as he slid the broken leather gleefully into an empty net.
The Bannsider’s had opened up a four point advantage and indeed looked good value for the lead.
Cargin were not to linger for long in arrears however and the next few minutes would see the impressive Oran McAuley take center stage.
The corner forward who was on the cusp of an excellent hour’s endeavor was on hand to steer a Paul McCann cross to the back of the net in the 19th minute after Tomas Mc Cann had steered a close free over the bar to level matters at 1-05 apiece.
The visitors regained the lead a couple of minutes later as Michael Hagen fired over the bar but the Toome lads were quick to return fire again and good combination play by Tony Scullion, Jamie Gribbin and Tomas McCann set up Oran McAuley to fire to the net for his second goal of the evening.
Conal Delargy replied with an excellent 26th minute score to reduce the Cargin advantage before a Jamie Gribbin lay off opened the way for Oran McAuley to collect a 29th minute point but the visitors had the last say as an injury time Conal Delargy point ensured the home side were just a point ahead at the short blast 2-06 to 1-08.
Cargin started the second half with back to back points from Kieran Close who was making a welcome return to the green and white, and the in-form Mc Auley.
The home side had opened up a three point lead and looked good but Casement’s responded with Coary McLaughlin and Ciaran Mc Kenna leading the charge as they took control for a spell to move into a 1-13 to 2-09 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Cargin looked in trouble in the gathering gloom but Damien Cassidy’s charges stood firm and with Justin Crozier, Michael Mc Cann and the hard tackling Gerard McCann leading the way they replied with a Tomas McCann brace to go ahead once more.
Portglenone battled to repel the incessant tide of green and white but to no avail and when full back Shane Delargy entered the referee’s note pad for a second occasion they were reduced in number as Tomas Mc Cann steered the resultant free over the bar.
The home side had moved three points ahead and although a 53rd minute long range Michael Kelly point reduced the deficit Cargin responded with three unanswered points from Tomas McCann, Oran McAuley, and Michael McCann to ensure victory.
Cargin were very much in charge as the last few minutes progressed in the gathering gloom, and a Paul McCann goal in the 59th minute which was followed by an Oran McAuley point, gave the Toome men a slightly flattering 3-16 to 1-14 winning scoreline.
Cargin: John McNabb, James Laverty, Gerard McCann, Jamie Kennedy, Tony Scullion, Justin Crozier (0-01), Michael Clarke, Kevin McShane, Michael McCann (0-01), Paul McCann (1-00), Tomas McCann (0-07), Ciaran Bradley, Kieran Close (0-02), Jamie Gribbin, Oran McAuley (2-04)
Subs
Gerard Mc Corley for M Clarke
David Johnston for C Bradley
Brendan Laverty for K Close
Casement’s: Brian McManus, Jonny Convery, Shane Delargy, Ryan McGuigan, Ronan Delargy, Ciaran McKenna, Michael Kelly (0-01), Coary McLaughlin, Niall McKeever (0-02), Dermot McAleese (0-01), Michael Hagen (0-03), Caolan Tierney, Gerard McAleese (0-02), Conal Delargy (1-02), Paddy Kelly (0-02)
Referee D McKeown (St Gall’s)