Minor A Football Championship (round one)
Kickham’s Creggan 4-05 Tir na nOg Randalstown 5-12
Tir na nOg advanced to the next round of the minor football championship when they emerged ten point winners over their parish rivals, Kickham’s Creggan in Creggan tonight.
In a keenly contested local derby, the Whitehill lads had to withstand a late home side resurgence to book their place in the next phase,
The Randalstown side dominated the opening exchanges and looked in control when they held a big advantage at 4-06 to 0-02, but Creggan staged a strong finish to put a better look on the scoreline.
The impressive Eamon Og McAllister opened account for the visitors with an early point and although a Kain Walker pointed free, a few minutes later saw the home side draw level, a Shane Hinfey 8th minute goal put the Whitehill Blues in control.
Dominic McAteer added a second point for the home side in the 9th minute but that was to be their lot in the opening period as their visitors took over.
Ciaran O’ Neill (2), Paddy Dougan, and Colla McDonald raised white flags in sequence to move 1-05 to 0-02 ahead and when a slick interchange sent Conor Crossey in to add a superbly delivered 20th minute goal the Blues were in charge.
The home side battled hard in the latter stages of the opening period but with Ciaran O’ Neill and Eamon Og Mc Allister leading the charge Tir na nOg laid siege on their opponent’s goal.
Conor Crossey added a point and although the Creggan net minder Mark Mc Cann did well to deny Eamon Og McAllister when the wing half forward was placed in the clear by Ciaran O’Neill, Emmett Murray was quick to pounce on the loose ball and return to the net.
Eamon Og Mc Allister found the net himself a few minutes later after a cute Colla Mc Donald cross opened the way to ensure a healthy 4-06 to 0-02 interval lead.
Tir na nOg started the second half with an early point but the home side began to enjoy a wee bit of success and when Dominic Mc Ateer took second opportunity to send a 39th minute penalty home they were in business.
Lee Johnston was moved from mid-field to the role of poacher and this was to cause problems for the previously untroubled Tir na nOg rear guard and the big man was much involved as the home side were to raise three green flags in the last quarter, a couple despatched from the penalty spot before a late Emmett Murray goal at the other end restored order.
Both the spot kicks had been awarded for indiscretions on Lee Johnston and tucked away by Dominic McAteer.
The impressive Dominic McAteer had the last say on the scoreboard but his injury time goal was merely consolation with the Randalstown men crossing the finish line at 5-12 to 4-05.
Creggan: Mark McCann, Peter McGinley, Morgan nelson, Rory Mc Veigh, Ciaran Higgins, Odhran Hampsey, Sean Donnelly, Ethan Carey Small, Lee Johnston, Michael Murray, Diarmuid Mulholland (1-00), Ciaran Graffin, Kain Walker (0-01),Dominic Mc Ateer (3-04), Joe Mc Ateer
Subs
Rory Mc Ateer for C Graffin
Tir na nOg: Adam Reid, Shane Hinfey (1-00), Ethan Higgins, Conor Mc Camphill, Ryan Crilly, Brandon Mc Larnon, Des O’ Neil, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-02), Joyce Higgins, Conor Crossey (1-02), Emmett Murray (2-01), Eamon og Mc Allister (1-03), Colla Mc Donald (0-02), Paddy Dougan (0-01), Conor Hastings
Subs: Sean Grant (0-01) for C Hastings.
Referee P Hanna (St Joseph’s)
Minor Championship round up
In the other games played tonight Glenravel recorded a big win over Aghagallon, St. Gall’s recorded an even bigger win in Dunloy and Aldergrove had five points to spare over All Saints.
In the Minor B Championship Gaeil an tSeibhe Dhuibh recorded a five point win over Moneyglass and Glenavy defeated Clann na Gael