Northern Switchgear SFC (round five)
Erin’s Own Cargin 2-13 O’ Donovan Rossa 2-06
Defending champions Erin’s Own Cargin claimed a place in the 2021 quarter-finals and a meeting with old rivals St Gall’s following this seven point win over Rossa in Toome today.
Damien Cassidy’s charges went into this one unbeaten and with one game remaining in the group have already qualified in top place to ensure them a place in the last eight.
Rossa arrived in Toome chasing second place and underlined their intentions in the early stages as they matched the Erin’s Own score for score.
Tomas McCann opened the scoring for the home side with a first minute point but that was quickly negated when corner back Niall Crossan came forward to follow suit at the other end.
Similarly when Kieran Close despatched a free between the posts following a foul on the lively Paudie McLaughlin, Rossa replied at the other end when Dominic Mc Enhill raised a 7th minute white.
With the towering Pat Shivers dominant in the central sector the home side gained in confidence and the next phase saw them dominate as they added three points in as many minutes through Ciaran Bradley, Paul Mc Cann and Kieran Close to open a three point lead by the 10th minute.
Tomas McCann fires home the game’s opening goal from the penalty spot despite the best efforts of Michael Byrne
The visitors were under siege and a foul on Paudie Mc Laughlin opened the way for Tomas McCann to forward the resultant award between the posts.
Corner forward McLaughlin had the last say in the opening quarter with his 15th minute point following a Kevin McShane assist to leave Cargin 0-07 to 0-2 ahead at the first water break.
Pat Shivers increased that lead when he punished a foul on Kieran Close in the 18th minute before Richard Gowdie received a yellow card for the indiscretion on the Cargin corner forward and in the event this was to have consequences later for the hard working Rossa man.
Cargin were still creating but squandering chances and the last score of the opening half fell to Rossa as a 29th minute Gerard Walsh strike saw the gap closed to five points with the hosts leading 0-08 to 0-03 at the short whistle.
Cargin introduced the back from injury Michael McCann at the start of the second half but it was Rossa who were to make the first mark when corner back Ciaran Orchin broke up a Cargin attack before racing forward to split the posts and grab an impressive score.
The home side replied immediately when a foul on Pat Shivers was punished by Tomas McCann after the visitors Colm Fleming sent a free awarded at the other end just wide of the posts.
The Toome men had the last score of the third quarter and Kevin O’ Boyle, Gerard McCorley and Paudie McLaughlin combined to send Pat Shivers in to split the posts and ensure a healthy 0-10 to 0-04 advantage at the second water break.
Rossa were reduced in number at the start of the final quarter when Richard Gowdie received a second yellow, a bad blow for the visitors and Tomas McCann added a point following a foul on Paudie McLaughlin as he clipped the award between the posts with the former forced into early departure with a shoulder injury following an impressive shift.
Christopher McGuinness turns away after scoring Rossa’s opening goal
The home side were on top as the last quarter proceeded and when Tomas McCann despatched a 51st minute penalty to the corner of the net following a foul on Kevin McShane it was as good as over.
Rossa were on the back foot and a Eunan Quinn point increased the Cargin advantage and then Ryan ‘Podgy’ Mc Kernan and Eunan Quinn combined to put Tomas McCann through to grab a second goal it was all over.
Although well beaten at this stage Rossa kept battling in an effort to improve their score difference and they finished with a flourish as Crickey McGuinness side stepped Michael McCann and Michael McGill for a goal in the 58th minute.
Tomas Mc Cann replied with a point but Rossa finished strongly with Dominic McEnhill pointing as the game moved into added time.
Rossa continued to press and were awarded a penalty but Sean Pat Donnelly had his initial effort saved by Michael Magill but followed up to return the rebound to the net and put a much better look on the final scoreline.
Cargin have claimed their place in the quarter finals but second place is still very much up for grabs and will not be decided until the final round of games.
Cargin play hosts to St John’s whilst Rossa also travel to the parish of Duneane to cross swords with Moneyglass.
Cargin: Michael Magill, Gerard Mc Corley, Kevin O’ Boyle, Brendan Laverty, Paul Mc Cann, Gerard Mc Cann, Ronan Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Pat Shivers (0-02), Ciaran Bradley (0-01), David Johnston, Benen Kelly,
Kieran Close (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (2-04), Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01)
Subs
Michael Mc Cann for K Close
Eunan Quinn (0-01) for P Mc Cann
Ryan Mc Kernan for D Johnston
Michael Clark for P Mc Laughlin
Rossa: Michael Byrne, Ciaran Orchin (0-01), Stephen Shannon, Niall Crossan (0-01), James Cooley, Richie Gowdie, Christopher Mc Guinness (1-00), Cormac Mc Gettigan, Stephen Beatty, Dominic Mc Enhill (0-03), Gerard Walsh, Colm Fleming, Matthew Mallon, Sean Pat Donnelly (1-00), Thomas Morgan
Subs
Ruari Murray for J Cooley
Gavin Mc Grath for G Walsh
Patrick Moyes for C Fleming
Conor Mc Gowan for C Orchin
Referee: Fiontan Mc Cotter (Sarsfields)
