Creagh Concrete Minor B Football Championship – Group 2
Kickhams Creggan GAC: 2-10 Con Magees Glenravel: 2-14
Report by Niall Kelly
The men from the tenth glen emerged victorious against a determined Creggan side in what was a locking of horns between the early forerunners of this group. It was nip and tuck in the opening exchanges between these two talented teams but the visitors soon made their intentions clear in the early exchanges with Rian Lennon proving to be a handful for the Creggan defence. Scores from Lennon and Ryan McQuillan helped establish a 0-05 to 0-01 lead as the teams broke up for their water break on the 15th minute.
Whatever magic formula Creggan had in their water, it seemed to be working as they stormed out after the break with Sean Duffin leading the charge and soon enough they were within a point of Glenravel. Lennon and McQuillan were again on hand to give the Con Magees some respite with two crucial points before the break to leave the scoreline 0-06 to 0-07 at the half time interval.
Creggan continued their resurgence in the early stages of the second half as once again Duffin was proving difficult to contend with driving forward from midfield and when substitute Michael Murray split the posts from range the Staffordstown Road men had taken the lead for the first time. This was the catalyst for an awakening of the Glenravel team who notched up a goal and three points without reply to take charge once more. The goal came from the ever-dangerous Ryan McQuillan albeit in fortunate circumstances when his long range free dropped into the net.
Lee Johnston responded with a great point but Glenravel were primed to strike once again as substitute Cormac McKeown stormed into the game with an explosive run before setting up Adam Campbell who produced a deft finish to the Creggan net from a tight angle to extend the Con Magee’s lead to 8 points with ten minutes left on the clock.
McKeown then added a point of his own with Rian Lennon firing over a monstrous effort from range and it looked as though Glenravel were home and hosed. Creggan didn’t lie down however and switching the commanding presence of Lee Johnston from midfield into full forward paid off as he fisted home a high ball into the net to give Creggan a little momentum approaching the game’s climax. Joe McAteer curled an effort over for the home side before Johnston was at it again, causing havoc in the Glenravel defence and dispatched his second goal of the evening calmly. However, it was to be too little too late as Glenravel held on in the final minutes of added time to leave with a crucial two points on the board.
Both teams looked impressive in stages today. Going forward, Creggan will surely look to the likes of Sean Duffin, Joe McAteer and Lee Johnston to bounce back with a win in their next game. Man of the match Rian Lennon will surely continue to inspire his Glenravel side with his power and pace in future games as they look to push on. Callum Higgins and Ryan McQuillan will no doube be integral to their progression as well.
Creggan: Joel Dudley; Caolan Hughes, Cian Graffin, Peter McGinley; Odhran Hampsey, Dylan Hinfey, Sean McAuley; Sean Duffin (0-04) Lee Johnston (2-02) ; Cillian McLarnon, Joe McAteer (0-02) Peader McGuckian; Oisin McAteer, Sean Donnelly (0-01), Fintan O’Neill Subs: Michael Murray (0-01)
Glenravel: Jude Scullion; Conor McQuillan, Sean Higgins, Ethan McNeill; Eamonn Carey, Shea McDonnell, Eamon Ward; Callum Higgins, Daniel McQuillan; Adam Campbell (1-00) Ryan McQuillan (1-05) Joe Martin (0-01) Shea Ó’Broin, Rian Lennon (0-06) Conor McAuley. Subs: Cormac McKeown (0-02)
Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg)