All County U16 Football League division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-15 St Brigid’s 1-08
Following a slow start to the season Cargin have gained momentum of late and continued on the winning trail when they proved too strong for the visiting St Brigid’s on Thursday evening.
The South Belfast side threatened in the early stages but their threat soon fizzled out as Cargin took control to lead 1-10 to 0-04 at half time.
St, Brigid’s made the early running and a couple of points by Fiontan Cleary and Donal Barclay saw them away in style but the Toome side were quick to draw abreast and a 7th minute Eunan Quinn goal saw them gain advantage.
Back to back points from Caomhinn Kennedy and Odhran Molloy had leveled matters and when Charlie McCann released Tom Shivers the corner man placed the incoming Eunan Quinn to finish to the net.
The home side were now in control with Charlie McCann and Odhran Molloy on top at mid-field and they had nipped into a 1-06 to 0-02 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
Eunan Quinn who was on the cusp of an impressive performance had raised three white flags in sequence with Cahir O’ Boyle adding another.
St Brigid’s rallied again as James Brennan raised a 17th minute white with full forward Fiontan McGourley following suit a minute later but the home side were soon back on the offensive.
Erin’s Own responded through a Shane Gribbin point and added another through Eunan Quinn to punish a foul on Tom Shivers.
The home side controlled the closing stages of the half and a Tom Shivers point followed by another from Eunan Quinn established an interval advantage of 1-10 to 0-04.
The visitors were quickly away at the start of the second half as early points from Niall Murtagh and the ever impressive James Brennan signalled positive intent.
Indeed it took an excellent save from Cargin net minder Shea Laverty to deny Fiontan Cleary from close range in the 35th minute following a smart approach in which James Brennan was central.
Cargin were quick to respond to this let off and Cahir O’ Boyle, Odhran Molloy, and Dylan Gallagher combined to set up Tom Shivers who finished to the back of the net.
James Brennan replied with a point but the Toome lads were now in control and a further trio of points from Conan Kennedy and Eunan Quinn saw they reside in the calm waters of security and a more than healthy 2-12 to 0-07 advantage going into the last quarter.
Tom Shivers and Conor Brown swapped points as the game progressed towards an inevitable conclusion before Eunan Quinn’s 50 metre free ended in the net.
The last score fell to the visitors as James Brennan raced clear to finish to the net but this was merely consolation as Cargin crossed the finish line to complete three league wins on the trot at 3-15 to 1-08.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Hugh O’ Donnell, Cahair Donnelly, Diarmuid Mc Peake, Conan Kennedy (0-01), Conan Johnston, Craig Thornton, Charlie Mc Cann, Odhran Molloy (0-01), Caomhinn Kennedy (0-01), Shane Gribbin (0-01), Cahir O’ Boyle, Dylan Gallagher, Eunan Quinn (2-09), Tom Shivers (1-02)
Subs
Benen Kelly for C Mc Cann
St Brigid’s: Ronan McKeown, Donal Hanna, Dean Morgan, Shane Kilmartin, Jamie Conway, Mark Canavan, Niall Finnegan, Donal Barclay (0-1), James Brennan (1-03), Niall Murtagh (0-01), Cathal Maguire, Conor Brown (0-01), Niall Duffy, Fiontan McGourley (0-01), Fiontan Cleary (0-01)
Referee V Boyle (Cuchullain’s)
