All County under-15 (B) Football Championship (semi-final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-08 O’ Donovan Rossa 2-03
The under-15 footballers of Erin’s Own Cargin advanced to the final of the U15B football championship when they defeated Rossa at Hightown on Saturday.
Rossa held a 2-03 to 1-03 interval advantage thanks to goals from towering mid fielder Liam Mc Enhill and centre forward Ruairi Mc Donagh and at this stage they looked set for a place in the decider.
Erin’s Own had other ideas and in a second period in which their defence was excellent, they slowly reeled in the opposition.
Rossa were first off the mark when Ryan Cosgrave opened their account with a confident point after an Oisin Murphy fetch opened the way to the target a couple of minutes into proceedings.
Cargin took a time to settle but Daniel McCann who was on the cusp of a good performance settled them when he found the net. The full forward was placed by a Ewan Mc Laverty delivery to finish with style and ensure a lead for the Toome lads.
Callum Gribbin and Niall Quinn added points to give the South West side a 1-02 to 0-01 advantage and although Rossa replied at the other end when Oisin Murphy sent a 25 metre free between the posts in the 14th minute Cargin held a 1-02 to 0-02 lead at the first water break.
Rossa opened the second quarter on the offensive and Oisin Murphy found Liam Mc Enhill in the clear and the full forward blasted to the back of the net to level matters before RuairI Mc Donagh followed suit within a minute and Rossa had moved into a three point lead.
The city side had taken charge but Callum Gribbin replied with a Cargin point in the 26th minute before a Ryan Cosgrave point at the other end left Rossa 2-03 to 1-03 ahead at half time and the Shaw’s Road side were looking good at this stage of the game.
As the second half got under way Rossa began on the offensive and only a smart save from Cargin net minder Conleth Hamill and a swift clearance from Fiontan Hardy ensured the pendulum swung in the other direction.
Jack O’ Neill picked up the clearance and a lofted delivery and a cute Daniel Mc Cann flick sent Niall Quinn in to fire to the back of the net and the Toome lads were back on par at 2-03 apiece.
Rossa tried to respond but found the opposition defence a hard nut to crack with net minder Conleth Hamill, full back Eoin Scullion and Fiontan Hardy in fine form and Callum Gribbin punished a foul on Fintan O’ Donnell to ensure a 2-04 to n2-03 advantage for the Erin’s Own at the second water break.
Cargin pushed home their advantage in the final quarter and back to back point by Fintan O’ Donnell saw them move 2-06 to 2-03 ahead and the momentum was very much with the South West side.
Rossa tried to respond but without reward as the Toome lads had taken control and Jack O’ Neill and Cathal McCann combined to send Niall Quinn clear on goal but his strike on target was pushed away by keeper Dara Boylan but Patrick O’ Neill was on hand to return the ball to the back of the net.
Cargin went on to dominate the remaining minutes as back to back frees were punished in turn by Callum Gribbin to ensure access to the decider on a 3-08 to 2-03 winning scoreline.
Cargin: Conleth Hamill, Brian Darragh, Eoin Scullion, Patryk Matchyk, Jack O’ Neill, Fintan O’ Donnell (0-02), Fiontan Hardy, Callum Gribbin (0-05), Jack Harney, Patrick O’ Neill (1-00), Carl Mc Cann, Jonny Hazzard, Niall Quinn (1-01), Daniel Mc Cann (1-00), Ewan Mc Laverty
Subs
Darragh O’ Boyle for J Hazzard
Rossa: Dara Boylan, Jude Collins, Shea Cunningham, Conleth Spencer, Fionn Cregan, Conail Shortt, Colm Boyle, Oisin Murphy (0-01), Ruairi Mc Donagh (1-00), Ryan Cosgrave (0-02), Ruairi Hamill, Liam Mc Enhill (1-00), James Armstrong
Referee: T Toland