Minor Football Championship Final
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Brigid’s
Corrigan Park Sunday 6th Oct (1.15pm)
Cargin will meet St Brigid’s in the final of the minor football championship at Corrigan Pk on Sunday afternoon hoping to provide the first leg of a unique double with their seniors who line out against Lamh Dhearg in the senior final at the same venue a couple of hours thereafter.
Cargin did complete the ‘double’ way back in 2000 when the under-18s gained victory over St Gall’s in the decider with the seniors following up when they accounted for St Paul’s in what was a controversial final a week later.
The way ahead and to plot a course into history looks a stern task for the Toome lads but the under-18s will be striving to keep the dream alive when action gets under way at 1.15 pm at Corrigan.
St Brigid’s will start as firm favourites having impressed in their 3-09 to 0-07 semi-final win over a fancied Aldergrove. The South Belfast side under the watchful eyes of former Derry star Joe Brolly, Gareth Bradley and John Mc Kenna failed to impress in their league campaign but they have come good in the championship.
Questions were being asked in their quarter final win at Glenravel,who had impressed in their first round victory over Aghagallon and the Glens men had notched up 1-06 before their visitors made a mark and seemed on the way to the semis.
In the event the South Belfast lads never lost sight of the winning post and regaining composure which was missing in the early stages they produced an eye opening comeback which saw them cross the line at 1-13 to 2-09.
Aldergrove provided what looked like a severe test for the city boys in their semi -final but with Eoin Brown, Rueben Carelton, Thomas O’ Doherty, Conor Slevin and the hugely impressive Paul Bradley who helped himself to a personal haul of 1-04 in form they always looked in control.
Cargin, like their opponents didn’t impress in the league, finishing a couple of points behind St Brigid’s but under the guidance of Brian and Paddy McCann and Darren Craig the Toome lads have impressed in the championship.
They did more than well to gain a quarter final verdict over Sarsfield’s returning from the ‘Bear Pit’ with a four point win to set up a last four meeting with old rivals St Gall’s.
The Milltown men, following a 3-13 to 0-00 win over St Paul’s in their quarter final started as favourites but Cargin, with Sean og Quinn, Sean O’ Neill, Odhran Molloy Eunan Quinn Jack Mc Allister, Paudie Mc Laughlin and the hugely impressive Pat Shivers leading the way advanced to the decider finishing 1-10 to 0-10 ahead.
St Gall’s staged a strong finish but a last quarter Sean O’ Neill goal proved the difference.
St Brigid’s will start as favourites but this one may well be keenly contested from outset to conclusion and could go either way.
Cargin will be in search of their fourth minor title having proved successful in 1975, 1991, and 2000 whilst St Brigid’s who have come close on occasions, beaten finalists in 2016 will hope to open their account.
