Antrim Football League Division One (round one)
St Enda’s 4-07 Erin’s Own Cargin 1-12
St Enda’s emerged with all of the plaudits and the opening points on the board as the 2018 Antrim and Ulster Intermediate champions held on to deny the late comeback of the county senior champions Erin’s Own Cargin on the lofty Hightown arena on Sunday afternoon.
Frank Fitzsimmons’s men had claimed victory over the Toome men in the early stages of the league last term and they did it again this time around and they were good value for the win. There may be a long way to go in the season but their form on Sunday suggests that the Hightown men may well be able to make a strong challenge for honours in the senior grade.
Although Cargin did strike first with an early John Carron point they looked decidedly out of touch for most of what followed and when a direct approach to the target from the home side yielded a 4th minute goal the Hightown men were off to a good start. Cargin did look decidedly ‘ring rusty’, in contrast a razor sharp home side who took advantage as they raced to a 1-03 to 0-01 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
Cargin struggled to gain composure and indeed to complete even simple deliveries and even when Tomas Mc Cann split the posts twice in quick succession Naomh Eanna were able to find a reply.
Another in a series of unforced error opened the door for Odhran Eastwood to hoist a 20th minute white flag, and when Peter Healey was upended on route to goal a penalty was awarded.
Michael Mc Guckin foiled the Odhran Eastwood effort from the spot, making an excellent save, but the wing half forward made amends when he pounced on a loose ball soon afterwards to send the leather to the Cargin net.
Tomas Mc Cann punished an indiscretion on himself as he broke through in the 25th minute and he hoisted a white flag but Odhran Eastwood replied soon afterwards at the other end a when the impressive Peter Healey was fouled 30 metres from the posts.
Having struggled to make impact for most of an opening period did have the last say of the half as Ciaran Bradley despatched firmly between the posts in the 30th minute which kept the Toome men in touch, though they did trail by 2-05 to 0-05 at the short whistle.
Cargin started the second half in a more positive fashion, and although another unforced error opened the way for Odhran Eastwood to add to the home side’s advantage with a 31st minute point, they were set to dominate the next phase.
Tomas Mc Cann added back to back points from frees in the 34th and 35th minutes before a well-directed Justin Crozier delivery sent the hard grafting Paul Mc Cann away on the right hand side to grab a neat point from play.
The Toome men were now looking more dangerous, and with the gap reduced to four they were back in contention. The home side were not about to stand back and admire the visitors’ work however and a couple of goals in as many minutes put them firmly back in control. Wing half back Connan Lyttle grabbed the first of them as he arrived at the end of a slick approach work to finish to the net before another wayward pass out of defence within the Cargin rear guard was intercepted and Odhran Eastwood’s cross sent Gerard Crossey in on the right to finish to the net.
The home side had gone 4-06 to 0-08 ahead and on the way to a comfortable victory but there was still a spark in Cargin yet. Michael Mc Cann took up position on the edge of the square and the long direct delivery was to cause problems for the home side as they struggled to contain.
Cargin began on the recovery mission with back to back Tomas Mc Cann points and as the Hightown residents struggled to contain Justin Crozier’s advanced run, it ended when the centre back split the posts.
Michael Mc Cann was causing problems in his new berth at the edge of the square and he had a good shout for a penalty when brought to ground inside the square after rising to collect in the 54th minute delivery from midfield. A minute later he got his revenge when he rose highest to meet a Mark Keegan delivery with his fist to send it to the net and leave only a score between the sides.
Naomh Eanna were struggling to hold on after seeing what had been a ten point advantage reduced to three and indeed it was only the intervention of full back Michael Mc Namee, which halted Paul Mc Cann’s pile driver crossing the line as the end approached.
The Hightown men, having been seen there previously calm water now beset by gathering waves were soon to head for the shore and safety as a well organised counter and a 61st minute Ruairi Scott fisted free secured the win and the points at 4-07 to 1-12…
Referee C Mc Dermott (Tir na Nog)
Teams
St Enda’s
Donal Walsh, Killian Jennings, Michael Mc Namee, Ciaran Thompson, Conan Lyttle (1-00), James Mc Auley, Padraig Hamilton, Niall Mc Keown, Ethan Gibson, Peter Healey, Ruairi Scott (0-01), Odhran Eastwood (2-05), Ciaran O’ Neill (0-01), Philly Curran, Gerard Crossey (1-00)
Subs
Conor Mc Auley for G Crossey
Cargin
MJ Mc Guckin, Donnach Mc Keever, Marty Kane, Gerard Mc Corley, Tony Scullion, Justin Crozier (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Gerard Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Shane, Ciaran Bradley (0-01), Tomas Mc Cann (0-08), John Carron (0-01), Michael Clarke, Michael Mc Cann (1-00), Paul Mc Cann (0-01)
Subs
David Johnston for T Scullion
Mark Keegan for R Gribbin
Pics by Jj Lawell