Under-20 Football League Division 1A
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-12 Patrick Sarsfield’s 4-04
A Ben Dobbin goal early in the second half proved the highlight as Cargin gained the verdict over the visiting Paddies in the under-20 football league on Wednesday evening.
There were in fact seven majors over the hour but the wing half forward’s strike following a well organised counter initiated by Cahir Donnelly and Conan Kennedy was the pick of the lot.
Despite the heaviest of downpours the Cargin sod was in excellent nick with the rain clouds moving away as the show got on the road and with Odhran Molloy and Eunan Quinn dominating the central zone, the Toome lads had secured a 1-04 to 0-01 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
Benen Kelly opened the scoring with a 3rd minute point before Daniel Smith nipped away to ensure the visitors were on par a few minutes later but the home side opened up a two point gap with points from Eunan Quinn before PJ Quinn placed Benen Kelly to finish to the back of the net.
Eunan Quinn added a point but Sarsfields responded and Paul Gorman was placed by an astute Athmed Soda delivery to find the net at the other end and the visitors were back in contention.
The home side finished the half the stronger and late points from Eunan Quinn and Tom Shivers (2) saw the home side enjoy a 1-07 to 1-01 interval advantage.
They received a setback however with seconds remaining they were reduced in numbers when Paudie McLaughlin was shown red following an off the ball incident.
Cargin began the second half with an early score as Tom Shivers collected a Sean McAuley delivery before finishing in style to claim a 31st minute point.
Sarsfields were quick to return fire and Michael Hughes pointed in the 33rd minute before a mix up in the Cargin rear guard saw corner forward Paul Gorman halted illegally and a penalty was the quick decision.
Rian Mc Shane assumed responsibility for the spot kick and made no mistake in finding the back of the net in the 36th minute and only a score divided the sides with Cargin at 1-08 to 2-02 and the visitors were firmly in touch.
The home side were quick to reply and a well laid counter attack saw Malachi Johnston, Cahir Donnelly, and Conan Kennedy combined to place Ben Dobbin with the advancing wing half forward meeting the ball with a firm fist to finish to the corner of the net from outside the 20 metre line.
Eunan Quinn added a point in the 44th minute but Sarsfields were far from finished as the hard grafting mid-fielder Ethan Mervyn grabbed a goal with Paul Gorman adding a point and they were firmly back in the hunt again with Cargin’s lead reduced to 2-09 to 3-03.
It was backs to the wall for the home side as Sarsfields, driven forward by Rian Mc Shane and the impressive Ethan Mervyn pressed forward but the Cargin defence stood firm.
Cahir Donnelly and Malachi Johnston led by example and a foul on the latter was punished when Tom Shivers added a point from the award.
The home side were back in ascendancy and Conan Kennedy and Jack Mc Allister combined to place PJ Quinn to finish with a 54th minute goal and it looked as good as over.
Sarsfields were far from finished however and an excellent goal by Paul Gorman gave them renewed hope.
Cargin once again found a response however and Eunan Quinn replied with a 59th minute point before the visitors were reduced in number as Michael Johnston was shown red with Dara Gorman scoring the final point as Cargin strode over the finish line 3-12 to 4-04 ahead.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Malachi Johnston, Cahir Donnelly (0-01), Sean Gribbin, Orrin Johnston, Conan Kennedy (0-01), Sean Mc Auley, Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-05), Ben Dobbin (1-00), Benen Kelly (1-01) , Jack Mc Allister, PJ Quinn (1-01), Paudie Mc Laughlin, Tom Shivers (0-04),
Subs
Dylan Gallagher for PJ Quinn
Sarsfields: Sean Clarke, Caolan McDermott, Paul Murphy, Stephen Hughes, Michael Johnston, Liam Mitchell, Rian Mc Shane (1-00), Ethan Mervyn (1-00), Michael Hughes (0-01), Eunan O’ Connaghain, Athmed Soda, Dara Gorman (0-01), Daniel Smith (0-01), Caolan Donnelly, Paul Gorman (2-01)
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)
