ACFL Division One

Lámh Dhearg 1-06-1-13 Cargin

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

County champions and defending league winners Cargin kicked off their league campaign with a comfortable 1-13-1-06 win over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Sunday evening.

Playing without their respective county contingent presented opportunities for younger members of both panels to showcase themselves for the Championship later in the year.

Cargin had the advantage of the breeze in the opening half and went in front through a Brendan Laverty point before the experienced Kieran Close added another from a tight angle.

Declan Smith responded by converting a free that didn’t look favourable from the angle and kicking against the wind.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first ten minutes, but the visitors began to find pockets of space and took advantage.

Ciaran Bradley sent the ball between the posts and after Michael Hynds was robbed in possession the Toome side broke at pace with Kevin McShane rifling to the net via the underside of the bar to give his side a 1-03-0-01 lead.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when they lost Carl Maxwell and Padraig Mervyn inside the opening quarter of the game- with Maxwell needing to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Cargin’s purple patch continued, and they landed the next four scores without reply, Paul McCann kicked two quality points with Bradley converting a free and Brendan Laverty doubling his account for the half.

The final four scores of the half were traded equally between the sides, Terry McCrudden landed his sides second score of the half from a placed ball with Kieran Close doing likewise back-to-back. An energetic burst saw Eoin Matassa get into a dangerous position and register the final score of the half for Lámh Dhearg – but they trailed 1-09-0-03 at the interval.

It took six minutes for the first score of the second period to arrive and it fell to the dominant visitors through Michael Clarke from direct in front of the posts. Terry McCrudden responded at the other end though with a fine point. 

Kieran Close landed his third free of the evening to leave double scores between the sides but Lámh Dhearg were awarded a penalty and a slight route back into the encounter.

Terry McCrudden seized responsibility and was denied by John McNabb who guessed the right way- however McCrudden made no mistake from the rebound and rifled it to the roof of the net to make it 1-11-1-04.

Cargin responded through a point from Justin Crozier before substitute Conor McVarnock saw his shot bounce in front of McNabb and over the bar, McCrudden then followed up with his third point of the evening.

They failed to make any further in-roads though and David Johnston wound up the scoring for the evening as the Toome side ran out 1-13-1-06 winners to kickstart their league defence.

Lámh Dhearg: M McIlvenny, R Murray, P Larkin, C Nolan, E Matassa (0-01), P Mervyn, M Hynds, P Fitzsimons, D Smith (0-01f), C Maxwell, M McGarry, D Larkin, D Murray, T McCrudden (1-03, 0-01f), D Straney. Subs: C McVarnock (0-01) for P Mervyn (18), C Hannan for C Maxwell (18), M Herron for D Larkin (39), F Mervyn for M Hynds (48), N McGarry for C Nolan (53).

Cargin: J McNabb, S og Quinn, K O’Boyle, G McCorley, S O’Neill, J Crozier (0-01), B Laverty (0-02), G McCann, K McShane (1-00), D Johnston (0-01), C Bradley (0-02, 0-01f), J Carron, K Close (0-04, 0-03f), P McCann (0-02), M Clarke (0-01).

Referee: Conall Roberts (St Johns)

A C League U-17 Div One (Round One)

Erin’s Own Cargin 2-10 All Saint’s Ballymena 2-10

An injury time goal by Conhuir Johnston ensured Cargin shared the points with the visiting All Saint’s in an hugely enjoyable under-17 league opener in Toome on Sunday.

The talented mid fielder was halted illegally en route to the target and after regaining composure he delivered the spot kick to the back of the net to ensure a share of the spoils.

All Saints took a time to get into their stride in this opening game in the first round of the all county under 17 league after the home side had nipped into a 0-03 to 0-01 advantage. The Toome lads had early points via Cahir Donnelly, Tom Shivers and Ryan O’ Neill in answer to a 7^th minute Oisin O’Mullan pointed free.

The home wasted a few opportunities to increase advantage in the early stages but they led at the first water break 0-3 to 0-01 but that lead was not to last.

Back to back points by Ciaran Mc Quillan and Oisin O’Mullan saw the visitors draw level and further points from the excellentOisin O’Mullan in the 20^th minute and another by mid fielder Cal O’ Brien opened up a two point gap 0-05 to 0-03.

A 26^th minute Conhuir Johnston pointed free saw Cargin close the gap but the resultant kick out saw the Ballymena lads grab a goal.

Cal O’ Brien rose highest to claim the kick out and in a slick approach which involved Oisin O’Mullan and Ryan Martin a strong finish proved accurate in the extreme and the visitors had nipped into a four point advantage.

Conhuir Johnston had the last say on first half proceedings as he punished an indiscretion on Callum Gribbin to send over and leave All Saint’s 1-05 to 0-05 ahead at the interval.

The home side started the second half with an early Tom Shivers point after a slick movement which involved Eoin Scullion, Ciaran Mc Peake and Callum Gribbin but Kevin O’ Boyle replied at the other end to negate that effort.

The action was intense in end to end fashion at the start of the concluding thirty minutes as score at one end prompted quick reply at the other.

Another foul on Callum Gribbin was punished as Conhuir Johnston delivered the placed effort between the posts and similarly after Cal O’ Brien’s fetch in the middle opened the way for Ryan Martin to split the posts Tom Shivers sent Ryan O’ Neill away to post similar reply at the other end.

Another stylish Oisin O’Mullan 42^nd minute finish yielded a fine point to see the Ballymena lads enjoy a 1-08 to 0-08 advantage but a Conhuir Johnston reply at the other end and a Callum Gribbin follow up ensured only the minimum separated the sides at the second water break.

The last quarter continued in the same intensity as the pendulum of fortune swung from end to end before a Conhuir Johnston 51^st minute strike yielded a goal and he added a point to level the contest.

The visitors were not about to give up the ghost however and a superb Cal O’ Brien major at the other end looked a winner as time ticked onwards and points seemed secured.

Cargin were not about to give up the ghost however and although a Tom Shivers ‘injury time’ effort came back off the cross bar they were not about to throw in the towel.

Time still remained  and when Conhuir Johnston was fouled en route to the target again in the 33^rd minute a penalty was the judgement, and the impressive mid fielder grabbed the opportunity, tucking the leather away to ensure a draw 2-10 apiece and honours even.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Eoin Scullion, Cahir Donnelly (0-01), Hugh O’ Donnell, Craig Thornton, Ben Mc Lernon, Ciaran Mc Peake, Cian Scullion, Conhuir Johnston (2-05), Caoimhinn Kennedy, Diarmuid Quinn, Ryan O’ Neill (0-01), Callum Gribbin (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-02), Daniel Mc Cann

Subs

Jack O’ Neill for D Mc Cann

Jack Harney for E Scullion

All Saint’s: Daniel McCloy, Ryan Thom. Aodhan McGarry, Oilver ORawe, Dara Killough, Archie McGreevey, Tiernan McGurk, Cal O’Brien 1-1, Rhys Wright, Kevin O Boyle 1-2, Ciaran McQuillan 0-2, Ryan Martin 0-1, Niall Devine, Tyrone Mitchel, Oisin O’Mullan 0-4,.

 Referee Joe Mc Cavanagh (St Comgall’s)

ACFL Div.2

Sarsfields 1-9 Moneyglass 1-16

2020 Intermediate champions Moneyglass made a winning start to the 2021 league campaign, but not before being given a scare by a dogged Sarsfields outfit at their Lenadoon base.

The visitors were soon in to their stride and opened their account in the first minute with a free from talisman Colum Duffin. The same player was to repeat the feat from play two minutes later, after a well worked short free from Conor Boyd.

The youthful home side levelled proceedings with a brace of scores, the first from big midfielder Cormac Murray, the second a lovely score from half forward Caolan McKernan.

Moneyglass then hit a purple patch with the Duffin brothers leading the way. First Fearghal, then Seanchan, then Colum with 2 frees gave the away side the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The first free was after an indiscretion on Sean Kelly, the second after good work from Conor Boyd and Paddy McCormick.

After the water break the “Paddies” rallied, with a free from Joe McNally followed by a good score from corner forward Liam Mitchell, after Ryan Carson had set him up.

Another Duffin brother, Tiernan, was involved in Moneyglass’s next score, his interception paving the way for elder brother Fearghal to score. The away side went on to finish the half strongly, Ryan Doyle and Jack McCoy adding scores after good work from Jervis Weir and Seanchan Duffin. Ciaran Kelly then marked his return to action after a number of years with a score. A free from Conor Boyd finished the first half scoring, with St Ergnats leading 0-11 to 0-4 at the short whistle.

The second half was a bit of a stop-start affair, and it took 10 minutes for the first score. Corner-back Jack Daniels showed the forwards how it’s done to keep Sarsfields in touch. Veteran full forward Ryan Doyle replied in kind, and when Tyler Cassidy marked his debut with a lovely score, the game looked dead and buried.

However, no team has ever came out of the “Bear Pit” without a battle, and the home side refused to lie down. Halfback Conor Laverty broke up the field, and his finish left Moneyglass netminder Gary Murray with no chance.

The home side had their tails up at this stage followed up with scores from Tomas Skillen and impressive midfielder Cormac Murray. For a brief moment, an upset looked like it might be on the cards.

The visitors settled with a free from Seanchan Duffin, after the fleet-footed Paddy McCormick had been upended. Midfielder Murray replied again for Sarsfields, before Conor O’Kane showed experience beyond his years, calling the “mark” before slotting over.

Tomas Skillen hit what was to be Sarsfields last score, before Seanchan Duffin replied for the winners. The same player expertly dispatched a penalty to put the icing on the cake for Moneyglass, awarded after Ryan Doyle had been hauled down.

The scoreboard was perhaps slightly harsh on the hosts, who had played their part in an entertaining game in perfect conditions. Both sides introduced several young players, and will improve as the season goes on.

Moneyglass – Gary Murray, Peter McCormick, Tiernan Duffin, Jervis Weir, Kevin McPeake, Conor Boyd(0-1free), Fearghal Duffin(0-2), Ciaran Kelly(0-1), Colum Duffin(0-4, 3 frees), Sean Kelly, Seanchan Duffin(1-3, 1-0 pen ,2 frees) Paddy McCormick, Niall Boyd, Ryan Doyle(0-2), Jack McCoy(0-1) Subs used – Tyler Cassidy(0-1), Diarmuid Scullin, Conor O’Kane(0-1), Luke O’Donnell

Sarsfields – Michael Brady, Jack Daniels(0-1), Ethan Mervyn, Declan Laverty, Donal McKernan, Daniel McKernan, Conor Laverty(1-0), Cormac Murray(0-1), Ryan Carson, Caolan McKernan(0-3), Gary Lennon, Daragh Gorman, Tomas Skillen(0-2frees), Joe McNally(0-1), Liam Mitchell(0-1) Subs used – Rian McShane, Eamon Quinn, Sam Walsh, Ruairi Devlin