Cargin off to a winning start

Homefit ACFL Div. 1

Cargin 2-14 St John’s 1-09

Cargin opened their 2020 account with a win over old adversaries St. John’s when a strong finish secured the points at an almost deserted Toome on Sunday last.

The home side finished with an eight point advantage over the Whiterock road men, but Damien Cassidy’s men had to work hard for the points and it was only in the last quarter that they pressed home their advantage.

The Toome men looked on the way to victory for most of the opening period and a well contrived Pat Shivers goal just into the second quarter ensured a five point lead despite facing a stiff breeze.

The Johnnies raised the ante in the latter stages of the opening half and with Patrick McBride leading the way the city men raised four unanswered white flags to ensure they took respite on par 0-08 to 1-05.

Cargin started the second half on a positive note and they looked in charge when they nipped away into a four point lead by the 40^th minute but back came the city boys and a well fashioned Domhnall Nugent major and a Patrick Mc Bride minor ensured parity at the end of the third quarter.

The visitors were reduced in number shortly after, as a heavy challenge on Jamie Gribbin saw mid fielder Conan Bohill shown red and with the excellent Ciaran Bradley leading the way the home side took firm charge with a Kieran Close 50^th minute goal giving them an eight point winning margin.

An opening game of the season coming in strange times and although no spectators were allowed within the ground any vantage point to be gained from outside was taken as Cargin played hosts to St John’s in an opening round of the Division One League on Sunday.

The Sun had come out to greet the occasion and the opening senior game of 2020 started in excellent conditions and Conan Bohill opened account with a 4^th minute point.

The middle man who was to catch the eye for very different reasons later in proceedings found space aplenty to raise the first white flag with Tomas Mc Cann following suit at the other end shortly after.

Nothing separated the sides in the opening quarter and it was point for point for a term as John Bohill and Ciaran Bradley swapped points and similarly did Ronan Gribbin and Conan Mc Avoy.

Kevin Mc Shane had come close to find the net in the 12^th minute with the posts denying him after the big mid fielder got on to the end of a Michael Clarke delivery.

A Tomas Mc Cann pointed free following a foul on Jamie Gribbin ensure Cargin enjoyed advantage at the first ‘water break’ and shortly after resumption Pat Shivers was to extend that lead to five.

The centre forward was sent away to split the posts in the 17^th minute and then Jamie Gribbin found the big number 11 in the clear and he finished to the bottom corner ensuring a five point advantage.

The Johnnies were quick to reply and indeed it was the West Belfast men who were to dominate the remainder of the half with Patrick McBride leading the way.

The centre forward began the revival with a 49^th minute point and after his net minder Ciaran Mc Cloy did well to make an excellent save to deny Michael Clarke he combined with Domhnall Nugent to add another.

The Johnnies really had the wind in their sails at such juncture and a trio of late scores from Conan Mc Glade (2), and Ryan Mc Nulty was enough to ensure parity at the short whistle 1-05 to 0-08.

Cargin started the second half with the Northerly wind at their backs and took advantage in the opening minutes as Ciaran Bradley, Michael McCann, David Johnston, and Tomas McCann added points apiece and they looked in control.

The Johnnies were not about to stand back and admire the handiwork of their hosts however and Patrick McBride placed Domhnall Nugent to blast to the net. McBride then punished an indiscretion on replacement Locky McCurdy to add a further point and they were back on terms at the three quarter mark and the second ‘water break’.

After resumption a heavy challenge on Jamie Gribbin saw the transgressor punished with ‘red’ and the resultant free saw Ciaran Bradley race away to send over the bar.

A good score from the number 10 was quickly followed by similar additions from Tomas McCann and John Carron and the home side were in the driving seat.

It was backs to the wall for the visitors in the latter stages and when Ciaran Close nipped in to return a rebound to the back of the net the die was cast.

The replacement quickly added another point and with Ciaran Bradley and Pat Shivers following suit Cargin breasted the winning line points secured by what was a slightly flattering 2-14 to 1-09 winning verdict…….

Referee K Doherty (Rasharkin)

Teams

Cargin

Shay Bovill, Gerard Mc Corley, Justin Crozier, James Laverty, David Johnston (0-1), Kevin O’ Boyle, Ronan Gribbin (0-01), Michael Mc Cann (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Ciaran Bradley (0-04), Pat Shivers (1-02), John Carron (0-01), Jamie Gribbin, Tomas Mc Cann (0-04), Michael Clarke

Subs

Kieran Close (1-01) for K O’ Boyle

Ryan Mc Kiernan for T Mc Cann

Sean og O’Neill for J Gribbin

St John’s

Ciaran Mc Cloy, Aaron Douglas, Conor Carson, John Bohill, Ronan Mc Cartan, Ciaran Johnston, Liam Laverty, Conor Bohill, Donal Nugent (1-00), Pearce Donnelly, Conor Bohill, Pearce Donnelly, Patrick Mc Bride (0-04), Conor Mc Avoy (0-01), Conan Mc Glade (0-02), Andy Mc Gowan, Ryan Mc Nulty (0-01)

Subs

Michael Dudley for Aaron Douglas

Damien Keogh for P Donnelly

Conor Johnston for A

69 Gowan

Locky Mc Curdy for C Mc Glade