All County U-17 Football League Division One

Erin’s Own Cargin 4-11 St Gall’s 0-03

Cargin retained their winning form to keep in close contact with the top of the group when they gained another two points at the expense of the visiting St Gall’s in Toome sod on Sunday last.

The final score line suggests as an easy passage for the Toome side but it does not acknowledge the true tale of events as the Milltown side never gave up the ghost but home side net minder, Daniel McCann made several fine saves to deny them over the hour.

Cargin enjoyed the slight advantage of the cross field breeze in the first quarter and took an early lead when impressive Conhuir Johnston raised back to back points in the opening few minutes.

St Gall’s mid field pairing of John Mc Cullough and Manus MacCroise were in a stiff battle with Charlie Mc Cann and Cian Scullion for mid field supremacy and the pace laden Dualtach Crawford and Padraig O’ Muiri were asking questions of the home sides defence but Hugh O’ Donnell and Jack O’ Neill Cargin were holding firm in the opening phase.

St Gall’s proved wayward in their finishing and Cargin keeper McCann found advancing centre back Ciaran Mc Peake and he linked with Ryan O’ Neill before applying a superb finish with a fine goal.

The home side had 1-02 on the scoreboard without reply but a fine John Mc Cullough point saw the visitors on the board but that was the Milltown Blues only score of the half as the home side gained supremacy.

Ryan O’ Neill increased the home side advantage and with Jack O’ Neill advancing from defence at every opportunity further points from Patrick o’ Neill and Diarmuid Quinn saw the Toome side move 1-07 to 0-01 ahead as half time approached.

Cargin full back Hugh O’ Donnell intervened to halt another St. Gall’s offensive and his clearance found Patrick O’ Neill who sent Conhuir Johnston clear to finish with an excellent goal.

Ryan O’ Neill added a further point a minute later and then Cillian Scullion sent Conhuir Johnston in to bag another goal to leave the home side in control and 3-07 to 0-01 ahead at the end of the first period.

St Gall’s had the favour of the breeze in the second half and opened with an early point from the hard working Dualtach Crawford, and when mid fielder Marcus Mac Croise followed suit the visitors looked to be gaining momentum.

The home side had other ideas however and indeed the visitors were to be denied access to the target for the remainder of the hour.

Cargin net minder Daniel Mc Cann made several saves to deny them in the final quarter and when Jack O’ Neill sent the excellent Conhuir Johnston away to bag another major that was that.

The end was nigh as Cahir O’ Boyle raised white quickly followed by another from Conhuir Johnston with Cargin net minder Daniel McCann pulling off another excellent save to deny Marcus Mac Croise in the last seconds to ensure his side crossed the winning line with a 4-11 to 0-03 advantage.

Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Patrick Matchyk, Hugh O’ Donnell, Jack O’ Neill, Ciaran Mc Peake (1-00), Cahir O’ Boyle (0-01), Charlie Mc Cann, Cian Scullion, Ryan O’ Neill) (0-02), Conhuir Johnston (3-06), Jack Harney, Patrick O’ Neill (0-01), Diarmuid Quinn (0-01), Carl Mc Cann

Subs

Thomas Mc Cann for P O’ Neill

Sean Hazzard for C Johnston

Conleth Hamill for C Mc Cann

St Gall’s: Joshua Southern, Christopher Hale, Oisin Maskey, Liam Breathnach, Ethan Breathnach, Segdae Mac Adhaimh, Liam Burns, Manus Mac Croise (0-01), John Mc Cullough (0-01), Oisin Kelly, Liam Lynn, Dualtach Crawford (0-01), Padraig og O’ Muiri, Ciaran og Mullan, Caomhinn Piaris.

Referee: John Hasson (All Saint’s)