All County Minor Football League Division 1
Kickham’s Creggan 0-09 Tir na Nog Randalstown 3-12
High Flying Tir na Nog retained top spot in the ratings and continued their unbeaten run in the All County Minor Football League Division 1 when they took the short trip out to the residence of their parish rivals, Kickham’s Creggan on a fine Tuesday evening and returned to Whitehill with the points secured.
The Creggan lads having only lost once this season started with a couple of early points through Dominic McAteer but it wasn’t to last and back to back goals in the opening quarter saw the ‘Blues’ nip into a 2-0 to 0-3 lead.
Tir na Nog were in charge but despite mid field dominance enjoyed, and chances aplenty created, they were not to trouble the scoreboard attendant for the remainder of the period.
The home side took advantage, as their wasteful visitors lost their way in attack, and with the middle men gaining in confidence and full forward Dom Mc Ateer causing problems to the Tir na Nog rearguard, they closed the gap on the Randalstown men to 2-03 to 0-05 at the break.
The Kickham’s lads started in the second half still very much in contention but it was to be the Whitehill Blues who were to hit the pristine sod on the positive and when Josh Higgins added a third goal in the 34th minute, to follow a brace of earlier points, they were in control.
Tir na Nog were to dominate the remainder of the game with the impressive Ciaran O’ Neill leading the way, and although the home side were to have their moments the Randalstown lads crossed the winning line, twelve points to the good. 3-12 to 0-09.
Tir na Nog started on the positive and an early point from the high fielding Eamon og Mc Allister in the 3rd minute edged them ahead.
The home side responded with back to back points from full forward Dom Mc Ateer to take the lead. The lead was to be short lived as Eamon og Mc Allister and Ciaran O’ Neill opened the way for corner man Culla Mc Donnell to finish to the back of the net in the 10th minute for Tir na nÓg
The visitors were in charge and when Culla Mc Donnell and Conor Hastings added points apiece and a smart Conor Crossey interception opened the way for Emmett Murray to add a second goal they had moved 3-03 to 0-02 ahead and looked in control.
However the Whitehill boys lost their way somewhat and the home side regained their composure with Leigh Johnston starting to win some ball at midfield while their visitors conspired to miss opportunities and often choosing wrong options in the offensive.
Dom Mc Ateer added a 20 the minute point to the home side’s total and when Cian Walker, who had replaced Joe Mc Ateer a few minutes earlier, announced his arrival with a point the former added another and by the break they had closed the gap to just four.
The Randalstown side possibly with a few choice words from their management team ringing in their ears started the second half in a better place and an early point from mid-field general Ciaran O’ Neill was to signal better things to come.
Emmett Murray added another point in the 33rd minute and when the pace laden centre forward turned provider shortly after his neat lay-off opened the way for a special Josh Higgins goal.
Three goals to the good Tir na Nog were in charge again and although Creggan net-minder Joe Dudley stood tall to deny Eamon og Mc Allister in the 39th minute he was unable to prevent Culla Mc Donnell and Ciaran O’ Neill splitting his posts shortly afterwards.
Cian Walker did step forward to add a further point to the Creggan total in the 42nd minute but when the ever impressive Ciaran O’ Neill strode forward to raise back to back white flags in reply, and Eamon og Mc Allister followed suit the visitors had moved 3-09 to 0-06 ahead as the last quarter commenced.
Creggan backs were firmly against the wall and they looked to their keeper again as another Ciaran O’ Neill inspired approach opened the way for replacement Oliver Mc Atamney who was denied by another excellent save from the home side’s custodian.
Further points from Eamon og Mc Allister further secured the Tir na nÓg advantage and even though Declan Mulholland did grab a couple of late scores for the home side it was a case of too little, too late as the winners secured a 3-12 to 0-09 win.
Creggan
Joe Dudley, Dylan Hinfey, Aaron Hughes, Jack Moore, Oran Hampsey, Ethan Carey Small, Sean Donnellan, Morgan Nelson (0-01), Lee Johnston, Joe Mc Ateer, Sean Duffin, Michael Murray, Declan Mulholland (0-04), Dominic Mc Ateer (0-02), Rory Mc Veigh
Subs
Cian Walker (0-02) for J Mc Ateer (black card)
Peter Mc Cluskey for S Donnellan
Tir na Nog
Adam Reid, Shane Hinfey, Brandon Mc Larnon, Cormac Mc Camphill, Ryan Crilly, Ethan Higgins, Cormac Devlin, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-04), Josh Higgins (1-00), Conor Crossey, Emmett Murray (1-01), Eamon og Mc Allister (0-03), Culla Mc Donnell (1-02), Paddy Dougan (0-01), Conor Hastings (0-01)
Subs
Danny O’ Neill for C Hastings
Oliver Mc Atamney for C Mc Camphill
Ricardo Carpidio for C Devlin
Referee Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)
