ACFL Division One (round 5)
Erin’s Own Cargin 0-08 St Brigid’s 1-04
The accuracy of Cargin net minder John McNabb proved to be the difference as the home side gained a welcome couple of points at the expense of the visiting St Brigid’s at a windy Toome on Wednesday evening.
McNabb defied the strength of an almost gale force westerly breeze howling in from nearby Lough Neagh to concluded as top scorer in what proved to be a close affair with the match official kept on his toes throughout to keep control.
Cargin had the assistance of the breeze in the opening period and it took the Toome men a time to take advantage of the elements which was a tribute to the dogged resistance of their visitors who were quick to pounce on any mistakes their hosts would make.
Cargin were first away when Ciaran Bradley who worked like a Trojan throughout, raised the opening flag after John Carron won the throw in.
The centre forward raced through to plant the leather between the posts with the home contingent anticipating more of the same with the strong wind in their favour.
Despite the opening score arriving less than a minute into proceedings it was the visitors who were quick to respond as a mistake by the home side was punished by a quick counter with Jack Dowling’s delivery sending Conor McAleer in to send between the posts.
St Brigid’s were to prove strong in defence from the outset and quick in the counter attack with centre back John Toner chief architect.
The home side endured a couple of setbacks in the opening phase as Gerard McCann received a black card with Kevin O’ Boyle forced to follow suit with a groin injury shortly after.
The Toome men regained the lead again in the 14th minute as John Mc Nabb delivered a ‘45’ between the posts and that lead was increased as Benen Kelly completed a strong approach with a fine finish to make it 0-03 to 0-01.
John Mc Nabb increased the advantage when he pointed from 55 metres when Ronan Gribbin was fouled and Cargin looked to be taking control.
St. Brigid’s replied and Peter Lundy sent over from a close range free before Conor McAleer followed suit and St Brigid’s were back within a point of their hosts with the end of the opening period approaching and seemed to be gaining in confidence.
In the event Cargin finished strongly and a smart 28th minute finish from centre forward Ciaran Bradley was followed within a minute as a heavy challenge on the advancing David Johnston was punished when John McNabb converted the resulting frere.
Cargin started the second half with a three point advantage as they faced the elements and less than a minute in an unforced error was punished in the extreme.
A Niall Lundy interception as Cargin tried to build from the back and the wing man was quick to find Patrick Finnegan in the clear to despatch to the net and it was all square at 0-06 to 1-03 and the South Belfast men looked to literally have the wind in their sails.
The home side looked in some trouble but with big Gerard McCann back from his time in the ‘sin bin’ leading by example and Cahir Donnelly, Benen Kelly, and Eunan Quinn standing up to be counted the home side stood tall in resistance.
St Brigid’s aided by the elements pushed forward again but were finding the posts an elusive target as their efforts to nip ahead eluded the Musgrave men.
Erin’s Own countered and Michael Clarke broke through the St Brigid’s defence but his daisy cutter finish sailed just wide of the mark in the 47th minute. John Carron then rose highest to field on the 40 and was fouled and John McNabb came forward to send the award between the posts defying the strength of the elements and Cargin were ahead again.
The Toome men introduced Paudie McLaughlin for David Johnston in the latter stages in a change which would earn reward.
The replacement was first to a Sean O’ Neill delivery in the 58th minute before being fouled with Ciaran Bradley coolly despatching the awarded free between the posts.
The home side held a two point advantage but with the game entering time added the visitors were still battling hard to get back into contention.
It was much a case of backs to the wall as Marcus Lynch pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum but that was as close as the visitors got, with Cargin holding on to conclude with a 0-08 to 1-04 winning advantage.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-04), Sean og Quinn, Cahir O’ Boyle, Kevin O’ Boyle, Ronan Devlin, Sean og O’ Neill, Ronan Gribbin, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, Benen Kelly (0-01), Ciaran Bradley (0-03), Eunan Quinn, David Johnston, Mark Kelly, Michael Clarke
Subs
Gerard Mc Corley for K O’ Boyle
Paul Mc Cann for R Devlin
Paudie Mc Laughlin for D Johnston
St Brigid’s: Declan Heery, Shay Campbell, Conor King, Reuben Carleton, Peter King, John Toner, Feargal Mennagh, Michael Cummings, Jack Dowling, Niall Lundy, Patrick Finnegan (1-00), Peter Lundy (0-02), Marcus Lynch (0-01), James Smith, Conor McAleer (0-01).
Referee: Conall J Roberts (St John’s)