Under 20 Football Championship (group one)
Erin’s Own Cargin 2-17 St James Aldergrove 3-09
After losing to St Gall’s in the opening round of the under-20 football Championship, Cargin got it right at the second time of asking when they got the better of a good Aldergrove side in a most watchable encounter at Toome on Saturday afternoon.
The home side certainly did not have it all their own way in what was an enjoyable encounter although looked in control when they had secured a 1-07 to 0-04 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.
However a 17th minute goal from Aldergrove’s Conor Morris was followed by another from Malachy Burns and the home side were reduced to a single score advantage 1-10 to 2-04 at the break.
Cargin nipped away sharply in the second period as Eunan Quinn hoisted back to back points but the Crumlin side were quick to return fire and points by Conor Morris and Daniel Shiels put them right back in touch of their opponents.
The St James’s lads certainly had the wind in the sails as the second period progressed and when Conor Morris sent wing half back Declan Gough in for a goal they looked on their way to victory.
The home side tried to respond but their visitors were on the march and quickly added a point to the Aldergrove tally and Aaron O’ Connor followed suit the Aldergrove were ahead and looked to have gained the initiative as they led by 3-08 to 1-12 as the last water break drew near.
Cargin looked in trouble but Cahir Mc Mullan and Sean Mc Auley combined to send the lively PJ Quinn away on the left hand side and the corner man evaded several challenges on his way to the posts.
A despairing challenge on the pace laden Quinn was judged illegal by the man in charge and Tom Shivers despatched the award to the back of the net and it was all square again, 2-12 to 3-09 at the second water break.
It remained all to play for as the last quarter got under way but it was Cargin made the better start and Malachi and Conan Johnstons combined to send PJ Quinn in to split the posts. Tom Shivers then vfollowed with back to back points and Cargin had earned a three point advantage.
Aldergrove attempted to respond but found it difficult to break down the home defence where Sean Og Quinn and Cahir Donnelly were giving nothing away and replacement Craig Thornton placed Eunan Quinn to fire over the bar and increase the Cargin lead.
Quinn then combine with Thornton to send Tom Shivers in for a 55th minute point and the home side enjoyed a 3-17 to 2-12 lead and they looked on their way to victory.
Aldergrove to their credit kept battling to the end and Kian Jones, who had been substituted earlier and reintroduced added a couple of late points before Oisin McGarry pulled off an excellent save to deny Tom Shivers his hat trick in the 60th minute with Cargin breasting the winning line at 2-17 to 3-09.
Cargin: Colm Paul Mc Kernan, Caomhinn Kennedy, Sean og Quinn, Cahir Donnell,, Malachi Johnston, Conan Johnston, Conan Kennedy, Oran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-05), Ben Dobbin, Shane Gribbon, Sean Mc Auley, PJ Quinn (0-03), Conor Kelly, Tom Shivers (2-09)
Subs
Craig Thornton for C Kennedy
Sean Gribbin for B Dobbin
Aldergrove: Oisin Mc Garry, Conor Ferguson, Corey Fogarty, Dylan Brazier, Aaron O’ Connor (0-01)Eoin Gough (0-01), Declan Gough (1-01), Oisin Graham, Malachy Burns (1-00), Odhran Rooney, Conor Morris (1-03), Conleth O’ Toole (0-01), Donal Shiels, Kian Jones (0-02), Donal Shiels
Subs
Paddy Mc Garry for K Jones
Ronan Aiken for C Ferguson
Kian jones for R Mc Carthy
Referee: D Mc Keown (St Gall’s)