Thornton Roofing O’ Cahan Cup (final)
Kickham’s Creggan 2-16 St Mary’s Ahoghill 1-08
Creggan produced a strong second half performance to overcome the challenge of St. Mary’s Ahoghill and retain the O’Cahan Cup at Portglenone on Wednesday night.
.The Clooney men matched them all the way in the first half and an early PJ O’ Connell goal ensured they were still on par at the end of the opening period, 1-04 to 0-07 but as the second half progressed Creggan were to assume control.
A 33rd minute goal from Conor McCann saw the Kickham’s take control and by the end of the third quarter they had nipped into a six point lead.
The gallant St Mary’s fought hard but Creggan were dominating the central zone with the impressive Conor Og McCann pushing forward at every opportunity and when late replacement Mark Dougan added a second major with his first touch in the 53rd minute it was as good as over.
Ahoghill battled right to conclusion and the Clooney men raised a couple of whites via late replacements, Diarmuid Graham, and Joe Downey but such arrived as consolation with Creggan crossing the winning line at 2-16 to 1-08.
Having been forced to call an early halt to the final of the O’ Cahan cup competition a couple of week’s previous when a St Mary’s player suffered a serious head injury, Kickham’s Creggan and Ahoghill lined out again under the Portglenone floodlights to decide the destination of the South West division’s premier competition.
Creggan had custody of the silverware since last term and they started in defence of the title on the positive with a couple of early Ruairi Mc Cann points and a 5th minute Conor McCann free to see them earn an early three point advantage.
Ahoghill took time to get their bearings but the Clooney men were on the board in the 6th minute when the ever dependable Donal Graham raised white and then Neil O’ Connell and Danny O’ Neill combined to open the way for PJ O’ Connell to add a goal a few minutes later.
Creggan responded and Conor Small hit three points in succession by the 16th minute and they looked to be taking control as they moved 0-07 to 1-01 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Ahoghill were struggling to make impact but began to gain a foot hold in the second quarter with Stephen O’ Connell, and Sean McMahon dominating in defence.
Danny O’ Neills delivery and link up with the pace laden PJ O’ Connell saw the wing half forward split the posts in the 18th minute and when Donal Graham punished a foul on Patrick Graham by despatching the resultant free between the posts, only a point separated the sides and the Cloney side were in command.
Creggan seemed to have lost the grip on proceedings and Ahoghill were asking questions and on level terms in the 27th minute as James Magee rose to punch a Patrick Graham delivery over the bar to leave it 1-04 to 0-07 at the break.
All to play for as the second half commenced, and if the Kickham’s men had struggled to get it together in the latter stages of the first thirty minutes they started the second with a bang.
Conor Small, who had been a persistent thorn in the side of the Ahoghill rear guard in the opening period had the ball between the posts within a minute of the restart and when corner back Conor Og Mc Cann came stylishly forward to open the way for the full forward to add a 33rd minute goal, Creggan were on the march.
A pointed PJ O’ Connell free and a Donal Graham point from play hinted at better to come from the Cloney men but Creggan were quick to regain control.
Conor Small added a 39th minute point, David Mc Guckin followed with another and when Ruairi Mc Cann added a brace the O’ Cahan cup holder had moved into a 1-12 to 1-06 lead.
Ahoghill had lost their way as Creggan continued to dominate and the Kickham’s pressed home their advantage as the irrepressible Conor Small came to collect from Conor Mc Cann to fire between the posts.
Late replacement Matthew Rogers made it 1-15 to 1-06 as the holders continued to turn the screw and there was no way back for a tiring St. Mary’s side.
Creggan emptied their bench and Mark Dougan announced his arrival with a 55th minute goal after good work by fellow replacement Odhran Mc Cann.
Tiernan Mc Ateer got in on the act with a point and as proceedings progressed to conclusion it was Ahoghill who had the last say as replacements Diarmuid Graham and Joe Downey added points apiece.
These were very much consolation scores at this stage with Creggan crossing the winning line as 2-16 to 1-08 winners to retain the O’ Cahan Cup.
South West secretary, Colum Walsh presented the O’Cahan Cup to Creggan captain Conor McCann and announced that over £700-00 had been collected and the proceeds would go to Cancer Focus NI & Friends of the Cancer Centre in memory of Portglenone’s Paul McKeever.
Creggan: Oisin Kerr, Aidan Maguire, Ricki Johnston, Conor og Mc Cann, Sam Maguire, Thomas Mc Cann, Oistin Mc Ateer, Dermot Mc Cann, Conor mor Mc Cann, Aidan Mc Keown, Martin Johnston, Fiontan Burke, David Mc Guckin (0-01), Conor Small (1-07), Ruairi Mc Cann (0-05)
Subs
Matthew Rogers (0-02) for A Mc Keown
Tiernan Mc Ateer (0-01) for F Burke
Mark Dougan for O Mc Ateer
Kevin Rice for S Maguire
Odhran Mc Cann for D Mc Guckin
Dominic Mc Ateer for D Mc Cann
Ahoghill: Frankie Neeson, Bernard Graham, Stephen O’ Connell, Gerard Graham, Eamon Brady, Sean Mc Mahon, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Neil O’ Connell, Tom Mc Glone, PJ O’ Connell (1-02), Eoin Graham, Danny O’ Neill, Donal Graham (0-03), James Magee (0-01), Patrick Graham
Subs
Diarmuid Graham (0-01) for G Graham
Joe Downey (0-01) for J Magee
Chris Mc Glone for E Brady
Aodhan Graham for T Mc Glone
Referee Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)
South West Secretary, Colum Walsh presents the O’Cahan Cup to Creggan captain, Conor McCann
