Today we look back at the 2019 Minor Football final between Erin’s Own, Cargin and St. Brigid’s at Corrigan Park which the Toome side won. The same team’s meet on Saturday in the 2020 final at Dunsilly at 1-00 in what has the makings of an excellent game.
Erin’s Own Cargin 2-09 St Brigid’s 0-11
Cargin minors bridged a yawning nineteen year gap to claim the Minor championship at the expense of a hugely fancied St Brigid’s side at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
The Toome side appeared to face a stiff task in this one, having finished over 20 points in arrears of the South Belfast side in the league but in the event they were to defy the odds.
Cargin started well with an early goal and aided by the elements, and a well drilled defensive unit with Pat Shivers dominant at mid-field they had earned a half time advantage of 2-06 to 0-05.
Padraig McLaughlin added the second major, and what a score that was as he defied the hugely acute angle to send the leather home in the latter stages of the opening half.
St Brigid’s had the use of the fresh breeze in the second half with Eoin Brown and the impressive Ronan Boyle causing problems up front and they had reduced the deficit to 2-08 to 0-11, and only a score separated them at the 55th minute mark.
The Cargin defence came under severe pressure but they stood firm and an injury time Conan Kennedy point saw them cross the finish line and into the record books at 2-09 to 0-11.
Cargin, aided by the breeze got off to a super start when Benen Kelly had the ball in the net a couple of minutes into proceedings.
The St Brigid’s net minder Declan Heery made a mess of a hand pass to a defender and Kelly was on hand to steer the leather over the line to give his side a lead they were never to lose.
St Brigid’s were quick to return fire and back to back points by Paul Bradley and Ben Doherty reduced the gap to the minimum.
The Toome side were quick to return fire with Pat Shivers replying with a couple of huge scores from long range before Paudie Mc Laughlin nipped away to add another at the end of the opening quarter.
St Brigid’s settled into a rhythm as the game progressed but they were finding it tough to break down a solid Cargin defence.
A good interchange opened the way for the strong running Eoin Brown to split the posts in the 19th minute but Cargin responded again and Paudie Mc Laughlin collected a Pat Shivers cross a few minutes later before cutting in along the bye line to finish to the net.
A superb score which saw the Erin’s Own lads move into a 2-03 to 0-03 lead and they were in total control at this stage.
Sean O’ Neill picked up a loose kick out to return over the bar and when Pat Shivers followed with a couple more pointed frees in succession the lead was extended to nine points.
St Brigid’s did rally to the cause in the latter stages and a brace of frees from Paul Bradley’s cut the deficit to 2-06 to 0-05 at the half way juncture.
With the wind at their backs St Brigid’s started the second half with an early point from Eoin Brown and the talented wing man added another before Paul Bradley followed suit and they looked to be back in business.
Cargin returned fire however as a well organised counter attack involving Cahir Donnelly and the Johnston brothers, Malachai and Orrin paved the way for a Pat Shivers 43rd minute pointed free.
St Brigid’s, led by Eoin Brown and Ronan Boyle tried to respond but the Toome defence stood tall in defiance.
The city lads came a step closer when Ronan Boyle collected on the ‘40’ and sent Marcus Lynch in to raise white but Paul Bradley sent a 30 metre free wide a couple of minutes later as they enjoyed a period of dominance.
Cargin were coming under pressure but dealing effectively but when Rueben Carelton sent between the posts as the game entered the last five minutes there was only a score between the sides.
The last minutes provided drama in the extreme as St Brigid’s began to launch high balls into the square but they were denied after Ben Doherty was adjudged to have strayed into the square and then Sean Og Quinn made a fine intervention to clear the danger as they threatened again.
The last score of the game was to belong to Cargin as late replacement Conan Kennedy got on the end of a move involving Jack McAllister and BJ Quinn to hoist a 33rd minute white and secure a deserved 2-09 to 0-11 victory for the young Erin’s Own.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Conan Johnston, Sean og Quinn, Cahir Donnelly, Malachai Johnston, Sean og O’ Neill (0-01), Benen Kelly (1-00), Odhran Molloy, Pat Shivers (0-06), Jack Mc Allister, Orrin Johnston, Sean Mc Auley, PJ Quinn, Eunan Quinn, Padraig Mc Laughlin (1-01)
Subs
Conan Kennedy (0-01) for S Mc Auley
Tom Shivers for E Quinn
St Brigid’s: Declan Heery, Rueben Carelton (0-01), Daniel Foster, James Tarkington, Thomas Mc Carney, Shay Campbell, Toirealach Brolly, Conor Slevin, Tom O’ Doherty, Eoin Brown (0-03), Ronan Boyle, Marcus Lynch, Paul Bradley (0-05), Ben Docherty (0-01), James Mc Kenna
Subs
Callum Webb for T O’ Doherty
Referee Conal James Roberts (St Johns)