By Geordie McGuckin
ACFL Division One
St John’s 2-08 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-09
St John’s claimed the points, proving too strong for their visitors Cargin in a third round rescheduled division one league game at Corrigan on Sunday evening.
Both sides had looked to their extended panels in this one with both fielding without their ‘county players’ and in the event it was the home side who were to claim the points on offer.
Cargin just could not get it together in front of the posts and the bye ball tally had moved to double digits by the end of the opening period with a very poor return with just a couple of points at the break.
The Johnnies nipped out of the start traps to make the early running and after the strong running Joe Garland raised a white flag in the 2nd minute the impressive Patrick Nugent followed with a goal a couple of minutes later to put them in control.
The strong evening sun appeared to aid the centre forward’s effort with the ball deceiving John McNabb before ending in the back of his net while the visitor’s efforts to make reply came to naught with the bye ball tally increasing by the minute.
The home side’s more direct approach and much better finishing saw them add a couple more points to their tally before their visitors opened account.
The pace laden CJ Mc Kenna gave his marker the slip to grab a 12th minute point and Conor Hand followed suit before Donnach McKeever finally opened the Cargin account with a 15th minute point.
A good finish from the corner back, as he showed his wayward attack force just how it should be done, with the Corrigan men 1-02 to 0-01 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
Cargin continued to spurn chances with wayward finishing as the home side stretched their advantage and a good build up opened the door for Conor Adams to add a second major before Joe Garland added a point to extend their lead to 2-02 to O-O1 by the 25th minute.
St. John’s continued to call the shots with Simon McDonagh and Ryan McNulty dominating in the central zone and back to back points by Oisin Donnelly and Joe Garland extended their advantage.
The visitors wide count continued to grow but they did have the final say of the half with a late Ciaran Bradley point doubling their meagre tally as the short whistle sounded with the home side taking respite from their labours with a deserved 2-05 to 0-02 lead.
The visitors made a good start to the second half with early points from Donnach McKeever, David Johnston, and Michael Clarke to give them hope of a comeback but St. John’s were quick to respond as Conal Quinn replied with a fine 42nd minute point from out on the right.
Back came Cargin with a fine Jamie Gribbin point but St. John’s were still calling the shots as Oisin Donnelly nipped forward to split to posts.
Cargin continued to battle and were rewarded as Gribbin added another for the South West men from a 40 metre free in the 50th minute and further scores from Eoin Coyle and Gribbin again from a 40 metre free but the home side closed ranks at this stage of proceedings.
A late close range Conor Hand free sealed the verdict as St. John’s secured their second win in three outings and they will be pleased with their start to the season.
St John’s: Eoin Rua Lambert, Jack Bohill, Ciaran Garland, Conor Mc Avoy, Oisin Donnelly (0-02), Patrick Nugent (1-00), Joe Garland (0-02), Simon Mc Donagh, Ryan Mc Nulty, Conal Mc Glade, Andy Mc Gowan, Conor Hand (0-02), Conal Quinn (1-01), CJ Mc Kenna (0-01), Conor Adams
Subs
Loughlin Mc Curdy for C Adams
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Donnach Mc Keever (0-02), Ronan Devlin, Sean og Quinn, Justin Crozier, Kevin O’ Boyle, Gerard Mc Corley, Ciaran Bradley (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, David Johnston (0-01), Mark Kelly, John Carron, Ryan Mc Kiernan, Michael Clarke (0-01)
Subs
Shea Laverty for J Mc Nabb
Eoin Coyle (0-01) for J Crozier
Jamie Gribbin (0-03) for K Mc Shane
Referee Fiontan McCotter (Sarsfield’s)
