ACFL Division One
Lamh Dhearg 3-16-1-07 Cargin
By Kevin Herron at Hannahstown
Lamh Dhearg blew Cargin away and in the process opened up the prospect of a titanic tussle for the first silverware of the season after running out 3-16-1-07 winners over the Toome men at Hannahstown this evening.
The game was very much in the balance after a tight first half which saw Paul McCann fire in the opening goal to give his side the lead – it was one that they held until the brink of half-time when Mark Finnegan’s goal edged the hosts 1-05-1-04 in front.
The sides were twice level inside the opening six minutes of the restart but a Declan Smith goal had Lamh Dhearg seven to the good and the Lamhs kicked on, aided by the dismissal of Cargin goalkeeper John McNabb for a second yellow-card offence.
Substitute Jack Summersgill finished of a delightful move to cap a dominant second half-hour – which threatened to boil over at times especially when Donagh McKeever and Eoin McKeown clashed off the ball; a moment of madness that resulted in a premature end to the duos evening.
Both sides approached the encounter off the back of superb wins last midweek – Cargin defeating top of the tables rivals St Galls, whilst Lamh Dhearg claimed a comfortable win at Corrigan Park.
It was Cargin who settled into the game quickest and moved 0-02 ahead thanks to fine scores from Michael Clarke and Ciaran Bradley.
Lamh Dheargs Ryan Murray solos clear of Gewrard McCann
Declan Smith converted a 45’ yard kick in response and Paddy Cunningham showed trickery and popped the ball over to level the game at 0-02 apiece after ten minutes.
Lamh Dhearg edged ahead for the first time when John McNabb’s poor kick-out was seized upon by Pearse Fitzsimons and Mark Finnegan profited with his first point of the evening.
Captain for the evening- Declan Lynch then doubled his sides lead, working a fantastic one-two with Marc Jordan and delightfully splitting the posts to make it 0-04-0-02 at the midway point in the opening half.
Kevin McShane landed a fine point to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum and the next score fell to the Toome men and gave them the lead with ten minutes to the break.
Michael McCann popped a pass into the path of Paul McCann who rounded Mark McIlvenny in the Lamh Dhearg goal. McCann looked to have over-cooked things but was able to rifle the ball to the net despite the best efforts of Paddy Larkin on the line to make it 1-03-0-04 to Cargin.
Paddy Cunningham responded for the hosts – though a converted Michael McCann free looked to have ensured that the visitors would lead by two at the break.
Marty Kane, Cargin carries the ball out of defence as Paddy Cunningham gives chase
However, there was to be a late sting in the tail at Hannahstown. Ryan Murray popped up in defence to win back possession and switched the play to Paddy Cunningham – Cunningham laid the ball off to Mark Finnegan who took advantage of a slip by Christopher Bateson and headed for the target – powerfully firing past John McNabb to give the Lamhs a 1-05-1-04 lead at the interval.
The sides traded scores upon the resumption as Cargin twice levelled through converted Michael McCann frees – though in both instances Lamh Dhearg replied immediately through Darry Bellew and Pearse Fitzsimons who curled over a delightful point.
Three successive scores gave the hosts a solid platform to drive on as Declan Lynch produced an excellent point from the left and a converted Paddy Cunningham free was followed up by a Marc Jordan point.
Two minutes shy of the midway point in the second-half the third goal of the game arrived and it fell to the Lamhs.
Michael Herron popped the ball across to Declan Smith – who couldn’t miss from in front of the target and didn’t, giving his side a 2-10-1-06 lead.
In the aftermath of the goal Cargin goalkeeper John McNabb was adjudged to have upended Michael Herron – already on a yellow-card for an earlier clash with Declan Smith- McNabb received his marching orders from referee Darren McKeown.
Seven points down and a man light the Toome men were facing an uphill battle – Michael McCann converted his third free of the half, which was to be his sides final score of the evening.
The dominant hosts pushed on for further scores and were rewarded as Eoin McKeown and Declan Lynch split the posts in quick succession.
Paddy Cunningham added a third successive point – before an off the ball tangle saw referee McKeown dismiss Donagh McKeever and namesake Eoin McKeown.
Cunningham should have secured his side’s third goal slightly earlier than it arrived – Declan Lynch was felled inside the area and McKeown awarded a penalty, but with a nine-point lead; Cunningham could afford the luxury of going for power and added a point to his sides tally to make it 2-14-1-07.
The Lamhs were able to empty their bench and give game time to young prodigy Jack Summersgill. The 18-year old made his senior debut from the bench in last week’s win at Corrigan Park and made an instant impact upon his arrival this evening, grabbing his side’s third goal.
Using their numerical advantage it looked as if Cameron Flynn was about to pull the trigger – but he unselfishly picked out Summersgill who made no mistake.
Paddy Cunningham scored the last of his six-points in the aftermath and there was still time for substitute Jack Trainor to add his name to the scoresheet and wrap up a 3-16-1-07 win.
With just three games to go three points separate the top five teams with Portglenone a further two-points behind in sixth.
Although the mouthwatering action will arrive at the end of the summer in the form of Championship – it appears as though a grandstand finish could be on the cards for the first piece of silverware.
Lamh Dhearg: M McIlvenny, C Nolan, P Larkin, R Diamomd, D Lynch (0-03), M Herron, P Mervyn, P Fitzsimons (0-01), D Smith (1-01, 0-01 45’), E McKeown (0-01), M Finnegan (1-01), D Bellew (0-01), P Cunningham (0-06, 0-02f), R Murray, M Jordan (0-01). Subs: G Slane for R Murray (35 mins); C Flynn for M Finnegan (37 mins); J Trainor (0-01) for C Nolan (46 mins); J Summersgill (1-00) for M Herron (52 mins); C Nolan for P Larkin (57 mins).
Cargin: J McNabb, D McKeever, J Crozier, C Bateson, T Scullion, M Kane, M Keegan, G McCann, K McShane (0-01), E McGrogan, M McCann (0-04f), C Bradley (0-01), M Clarke (0-01), P McCann (1-00), M Magill.
Referee: Darren McKeown St. Galls)
