FonaCab Ulster Minor Football Tournament (qtr final)
Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) 3-06 Erin’s Own Cargin (Antrim) 0-08
By Geordie McGuckin
‘Goals win prizes’ is a well-worn expression but often proved as factual, and it proved to be on the mark again today at the Shaw’s Road as a trio of green flags by Fermanagh kingpins Enniskillen Gaels ended the challenge of Antrim champions Erin’s Own Cargin.
Ryan Mc Donnell grabbed the first in the 24th minute to give his team a 1-03 to 0-03 interval advantage and when the impressive Conor Love added another a couple of minutes into the second period the Gaels looked on their way.
The Antrim champions, who were showing well at midfield where the impressive Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn partnership held sway but they could not find a way through a packed Enniskillen defence. Cargin kept in touch for a spell but when Enniskillen replacement Fergal Quinn took the opportunity to add a third major the die was cast.
Cargin threatened in the closing stages but although Pat Shivers came close to finding the net late in proceedings the Fermanagh champions were in control as they booked a semi-final place with a 3-06 to 0-08 victory.
Despite the recent wet weather Naomh Pol Park looked good for the third quarter final game. Enniskillen who claimed the prestigious title a couple of years back started the game as firm favourites but Cargin having impressed on their way to the Antrim title were fully expected to give this latest assignment a real lash.
Cargin started on the positive but after the Toome lads had missed a couple of opportunities to gain early advantage it was to be Enniskillen who were to first to employ the scoreboard attendant via Conor Love.
The centre forward who was on the cusp of an impressive sixty minutes was not at all hard pressed to despatch a close right sided free between the posts after Ryan McGandy had been impeded on approach with the clock at five minutes.
Cargin were more that holding their own at midfield from the outset and with Eunan Quinn and the flame-haired Odhran Molloy to the fore the Antrim champions opened their account a couple of minutes later.
James O’ Donnell ensured Enniskillen regained advantage in the 10th minute with an excellent finish from distance but the Gaels had Lady Luck smiling on them a couple of minutes later when Cargin’s Benen Kelly spotted their net-minder far off his line, but his cheekily lobbed delivery just missed the target.
Cargin drew alongside again in the 16th minute when Eunan Quinn pointed from a free but the Gaels regained the upper hand when Conor Love despatched a 30 metre free between the posts, a minute later. A well worked counter attack opened the way for centre back Ryan Mc Donnell to find the Cargin net in the 24th minute to help them to a 1-03 to 0-03 interval lead.
Cargin started the second half in a similar way as they had the first when Jack Mc Allister split the posts a minute into proceedings to cut the arrears to just two.The Gaels were quick to offer reply and less than a minute later the impressive Conor Love left several defenders trailing in his wake before planting the leather in the corner of the net.
The Toome lads did add a quick reply as a foul on the advancing Eunan Quinn allowed Pat Shivers to punish the indiscretion by sending the resultant award between the posts, and when the former took place kicking charge a couple of minutes later when Malachi Johnston was impeded the end result was the same.
A point from Enniskillen wing half forward Ross Bogue briefly halted the Cargin revival but the Erin’s Own lads were quick to resume the offensive as Benen Kelly’s dash opened the way for Pat Shivers to split the uprights once again.
Enterting the final quarter the Antrim champions had reduced the deficit to a couple of points and looked to be in with every chance, but the next few minutes would change the complexion again.
The Fermanagh lads broke upfield for James O’ Donnell and the excellent Conor Love to add back to back points, and when a stray pass opened the way for Ross Bogue to send late replacement Josh Horan in for a goal they were back in full control.
Cargin battled away gamely and Pat Shivers did come close to finding the net in the last hectic minutes, but his stab at the loose ball just went the wrong side of the posts as the Gaels 3-06 to 0-09 win set up a semi-final date with Derry champions Erin’s Own Lavey next weekend.
Enniskillen Gaels
Fergal Quinn, Caelan Corrigan, Ben Hamill, Jack Tierney, Barra O’Keefe, Ryan Mc Donnell (1-00), Shay Conway, Oliver Hughes Jordan, Conor Murphy, Ryan Mc Gandy, Conor Love (1-03), Ross Bogue (0-01), James O’ Donnell (0-02), Codi Halligan, Killian Corrigan
Subs
Josh Horan (1-00) for B Hamill
Cal Mc Anespy for Caelan Corrigan
Erin’s Own Cargin
Shea Laverty, Conan Johnston, Sean og Quinn, Cahir Donnelly, Malachi Johnston, Sean og O’ Neill, Orrin Johnston, Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-02), Jack Mc Allister, Benen Kelly, Sean Mc Auley, PJ Quinn, Pat Shivers (0-04), Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01)
Subs
Tom Shivers for PJ Quinn
Shane Gribbin for S Mc Auley
Conan Kennedy for J Mc Allister
Referee Gavin Finnegan (An Dun)
