Northern Switchgear SFC – Group 4
Creggan 2-14 St Galls 2-7
Wednesday August 11
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Ui Ciceam
Creggan recovered from losing two goals in the opening quarter on Wednesday evening to record a seven point win over St Galls in this Championship opener played at a sun drenched Staffordstown Road venue.
An early penalty from Brendan Bradley and a goal from Sean Kelly gave St Galls an element of control on the scoreboard but once the Kickhams men got into their stride, they always looked like they could edge away from their City rivals.
It was an accomplished performance from Gerard McNulty’s men who had nine different scorers throughout the hour and a defence that yielded very little after the opening quarter. An element of character to recover from the early goals and self belief to stick to their game plan in the face of some early signs of brilliance from the Milltown Row Azzuri. Kevin Niblock doing what he does best, winning unwinnable ball and creating chances from nothing for his team mates. His battle with Ricky Johnston a fascinating subplot to an already intriguing championship affair.
The game was barely 60 seconds old when referee Cathal McDermot had a massive call to make. Eoghan McCabe putting Niall Burns through on goal but Eunan McAteer fouled the St Galls man inside the square with Brendan Bradley making no mistake from the spot kick.
The Creggan response was typically assured. With Kevin Small scoring his first of two points before frees from Jamie and Ruairi McCann brought the home side level by the 7th minute.
Creggan had edged the opening exchanges but the St Galls attack looked like they could cut the Creggan defence open with Niblock, Bradley and Niall Burns all pivotal in providing pieces of magic. Their second goal came from the most unlikely of sources in the 10th minute. Sean Kelly leaving his sweeping position to play his way through the Creggan defence and swapping elaborate passes with Terry O’Neill before sliding past Oisin Kerr in the Creggan goals.
Once again the home side responded superbly and before the waterbreak they edged ahead for the first time in the game. Paddy Coey and Ruairi McCann (free) bringing Creggan to within touching distance before Odhran McLarnon scored their first goal of this years championship in the 16th minute. Creggan taking advantage of a misplaced kick out before working the ball to McLarnon who finished well.
The second quarter belonged to Creggan. Niall Burns responded for St Galls before the water break but points from Tommy McCann, two from Conor Small wither side of a sumptuous move that saw Ruairi McCann add to his tally was only answered to by a Brendan Bradley free to give Creggan a 1-9 to 2-2 lead at the short whistle.
St Galls introduced Barra McCaffrey and Tomas O’Ciaran at half time to try and swing the momentum in their favour and they got to within one point of Creggan with Niall Burns and Kevin Niblock opening the scoring in what was a slow start to the second half. It was as close as they got to the home side however with Creggan opening their account for the second half 13 minutes after the restart with a Paddy Coey goal. Ruairi McCann and Kevin Small involved in the build up before Coey slotted past Kerr in the St Galls goal.
St Galls went chasing to get back into the game and Creggan took full advantage but soaking up pressure and countering into the spaces left behind. Points from Tiarnan McAteer, a delightful effort with the outside of his boot from an acute angle, Jamie McCann (free) and Sean Duffin opened an eight point lead going into the final five minutes.
St Galls rallied with Barra McCaffrey (two) and Eoghan McCabe scores breathing fresh impetus into their challenge but Creggan saw out the time that remained with little alarm. Further scores from Kevin Small and Ruairi McCann ensured a comfortable win for last years beaten finalists.
St Galls play hosts to Gort na Mona on Sunday in the next round while Creggan make the journey to Pairc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh next Friday.
TEAMS
Creggan: Oisin Kerr; Ethan Carey-Small, Ricky Johnston, Eunan McAteer; Aidan Maguire, Tommy McCann, Jamie McCann; Kevin Small, Aidan McKeown; Ruairi McCann, Paddy Coey, Tiarnan McAteer; Sean Duffin, Conor Small, Odhran McLarnon
Subs: Kealan McCann for A McKeown (43); Matthew Rodgers for P Coey (50); Sam Maguire for T McAteer (54); Killian Burke for E McAteer (inj)
Scorers: Ruairi McCann 0-4 (3f); Paddy Coey 1-1; Odhran McLarnon 1-00; Jamie McCann 0-2 (2f); Kevin Small 0-2; Conor Small 0-2; Tommy McCann 0-1; Tiarnan McAteer 0-1; Sean Duffin 0-1
St Galls: Chris Kerr; Marcus Donnelly, Colin Brady, Shane O’Hagan; Conail Murray, John McCaffrey, Conor Stinton; Niall O’Neill, Thomas Bunting; Niall Burns, Terry O’Neill, Eoghan McCabe; Brendan Bradley, Kevin Niblock, Sean Kelly
Subs: Caolan Chada for S O’Hagan (22); Tomas O’Ciaran for C Murray (HT); Barra McCaffrey for B Bradley (HT); Conall McGirr for C Brady (46); Mark Cummings for T Bunting (53)
Scorers: Brendan Bradley 1-2 (1-00 pen, 2f); Sean Kelly 1-00; Barra McCaffrey 0-2; Eoghan McCabe 0-1; Niall Burns 0-1
Referee: Cathal McDermot (Tir na nOg)
