All County Football League Division One (round 11)
Kickham’s Creggan 1-17 St Brigid’s 2-09
Defending Division One league champions Kickham’s Creggan finished the first phase of the 2019 league on the positive when they recorded a five point win over the visiting St Brigid’s at Staffordstown Road on Friday evening.
Kevin Madden’s charges had a bad start to this year’s campaign but have recorded six wins on the trot to remain in contention to retain the Eddie Fitzsimmons Memorial trophy.
St Brigid’s visited Creggan in search of their fourth victory of the campaign and indeed the South Belfast men took an early lead but that was short lived as a 10th minute goal from Conor Small saw Kickham’s earn advantage which they were to maintain throughout.
St Brigid’s were shading the issue at midfield and stayed in contention for much of the opening period but despite good approach play their finishing let them down.
Peter Lundy had opened the scoring with a first minute point and the visitors were only denied a major score less than a minute later when Jack Dowling’s shot hit the base of the post when a goal looked on.
Creggan replied and a subtle Martin Johnston delivery saw Conor Small finishing stylishly into the bottom corner.
The home side were gaining in impetus as the opening period made progress and although St Brigid’s managed to get their noses ahead for a time with back to back white points from Peter Lundy, and Ronan McGrady it was Creggan who dominated the remainder of the half.
With Ruairi McCann and Conor Small outstanding, Creggan took a firm hold, out-scoring their host seven to one in the latter stages as they took a 1-08 to 0-07 lead into the break.
St Brigid’s started the second half with a point from Ronan McGrady in the opening minute but Creggan responded as Ruairi McCann took control and looked to be home and dry when they led 1-14 to 0-09 clear with 12 minutes remaining.
Ronan McGrady despatched a 40 metre free between the posts before Conor Small raised a 40th minute white flag from away out on the right hand side.
The Kickham’s were taking control however and further scores from Dom McAteer, Conor Small, Ruairi Mc Cann and Tiernan Mc Ateer underlined their dominance and victory seemed assured.
St |Brigid’s responded however with goals from Ronan Mc Grady and late replacement Shane Boyle in the space of a couple of minutes to see them close the gap to just a single score and ask questions of the previously dominant Creggan men.
Mc Grady got on the end of a good move to despatch to the corner of the net in the 54th minute and tyhen the Creggan net-minder Murtagh McCaigue stood tall to deny Jack Dowling but Shane Boyle collected the rebound to send to the net to the delight of the visiting support.
The South Belfast side were within striking distance only three points in arrears and asking questions of their hosts.
Creggan were not to make any further concessions however as they resumed control and a couple of late points from the sure footed Conor Small ensured they breasted the line points secured at 1-17 to 2-09.
Referee Jarlath O’ Donnell (Con Magees)
Teams
Creggan
Murtagh Mc Caigue, Eunan Mc Ateer, Thomas Mc Cann, Aiden Maguire, Sam Maguire, Martin Johnston, Ruairi Mc Cann (0-06), Oran Mc Cann, Dermot Mc Cann, Paddy Cooey (0-01), Tiernan Mc Ateer (0-01), Fintan Burke, Dominic Mc Ateer (0-03), Conor Small (1-06), David Mc Guckin
Subs
Jamie Mc Cann for A Maguire
Oran Mc Larnon for D Mc Ateer
Aiden Mc Keown for P Cooey
St Brigid’s
Kevin Mc Greevey, Finn Mc Kernan, Niall Mc Donald, Bernard Mc Loughlin, Sean Mc Kenna, Cathal Conway, John Morgan, Michael Cummings, Eddie Mc Keever, Peter Lundy (0-02), James Smith (0-02), David Mc Garvey, Ronan Mc Grady (1-03), Jack Dowling (0-02), Rory Brolly
Subs
Daire Mc Garvey for S Mc Kenna
Shane Boyle (1-00) for D Mc Garvey
Daniel Magee for P Lundy
