Thomas Devlin Car Sales Under-14 League (Final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 6-07 St Mary’s Aghagallon 1-10
A hat-trick by the impressive Conhuir Johnston powered Cargin under-14s to the U14 League title as they overcame the determined challenge of Aghagallon at Kirkwood Park on Sunday.
The Toome lads had to dig deep to get the better St Mary’s in the decider and only led by two points at the break but with the impressive Conhuir Johnston leading the offensive in style they had matters well in hand at conclusion.
Aghagallon signalled firm intentions right from the off when Sean Gowdy raised a white flag less than a minute into proceedings. The full forward was to prove a constant thorn in the side of the Cargin defence throughout but his opening score found a stern response from the Toome lads.
A well contrived approach involving Callum Gribbin and Conhuir Johnston opened the way for Daniel McCann to find the net and Ryan O’ Neill followed with a point shortly after.
Cargin looked firmly in control in the opening phase and when a Hugh O’ Donnell clearance found Conhuir Johnston he added a second goal for the Toome side.
Cahir O’ Boyle added a point and Cargin looked in control at 2-02 to 0-01 at the half way juncture of the twenty minute period.
Aghagallon having struggled in the opening quarter came to life in the second and went on to dominate the closing ten minutes of the first half. Callum Mulholland’s responded with an 11th minute point and Sean Gowdy followed with a couple more within a couple of minutes.
Cahir O’Boyle broke the sequence when he made reply for Cargin with a 16th minute point but St Mary’s were soon back on the offensive and late scores from Sean Gowdy and Garret Reavey reduced the Cargin advantage to just a couple of points at 2-03 to 0-07 with the short blast imminent.
Cargin responded as Callum Gribbin and Cahir O’ Boyle linked to send Conhuir O’ Boyle in to despatch to the net but in the event it was to be Aghagallon who were to end the first half scoring. Chris Hannon concluded a fine left sided approach to make quick reply with a goal to reduce the Cargin advantage again, 3-03 to 1-07 at the break.
It was all to play for as the second half got under way but Cargin were quick into their stride and after Ben McLarnon opened account with a point the irrepressible Conhuir Johnston placed Ryan O’ Neill to add a goal.
The flame haired wing half forward followed his major strike with a point and although Sean Gowdy replied with an Aghagallon point the momentum was now very much with the Erin’s Own lads and Conhuir Johnston raced away to complete his hat trick with a superb strike to extend their advantage to eight points.
Aghagallon tried to respond but good approach and deliveries on target were denied by Cargin net-minder Brogan McNally who pulled off a couple of excellent saves.
The Aghagallon keeper, Joseph Mc Donald also displayed his credentials at the other end as he made a more than smart intervention to push a Conhuir Johnston rasper up and over the bar.
Aghagallon persisted in their efforts as the clock ticked onwards and were rewarded with a couple of points by Garret Reavey and sean Gowdy but the last say on proceedings belonged to the Toome lads as Diarmuid Quinn’s last minute strike ensured a podium place and the under-14 league title for the boys from Toome.
Cargin: Brogan Mc Nally, Brian Darragh, Hugh O’ Donnell, Patrick Machnik, Jack Harney, Ciaran Mc Peake, Callum Gribbin, Charlie Mc Cann, Kian Scullion, Ben Mc Larnon (0-01), Cahir O’ Boyle (0-02), Ryan O’ Neill (1-02), Daniel Mc Cann (1-00), Conhuir Johnston (3-02), Diarmuid Quinn (1-00)
Subs
Jack O’ Neill for D Mc Cann
Carl Mc Cann for R O’ Neill
Aghagallon: Joseph Mc Donald, Matthew Braham, Eoin Magennis, Daniel Crawford, John Mc Cormick, Eoghan Magill, Aaron Kerr, Sam Thomas, Caolan Maher, Chris Hannon (1-00), Garret Reavey (0-03), Callum Mulholland (0-01), Keelan Gardener, Sean Gowdy (0-06), Owen Mallon
Subs
Ryan Mulholland for K Gardener
Nathan Gowdy for O Mallon
Referee B Hotskiss (Glenavy)
South West secretary, Columb Walsh presents the South West Football League cup to Erin’s Own captain, Charlie Mc Cann
Team captains, Charlie McCann Cargin) and Sam Thomas Aghagallon with match referee Barry Hotskiss (Glenavy)