ACFL Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-19 St Mary’s Ahoghill 2-06
Cargin collected another brace of points at the expense of St. Mary’s Ahoghill when they recorded a 3-19 to 2-06 verdict over the visitors in Toome on Wednesday evening.
Ahoghill matched their hosts in the opening quarter with James O’ Connell to the fore and they were alongside their hosts on the board and at 0-04 apiece at the fifteen minute mark.
It was the wing forward who was to open the visitors account with a point in the opening minute and although the Toome men gained advantage with James Laverty and Tomas Mc Cann adding back to back points a further three whites raised by the sharp shooting O’ Connell ensured the sides were on par at 0-04 apiece at the 15th minute.
The Ahoghill men had nipped smartly away from the start blocks and with Neil O’ Connell and Dan O’ Neill prominent at mid field, Danny O’ Neill’s men looked comfortable during the opening exchanges.
The home side had been slow to start but such was about to change as a slick approach involving Jamie Gribbin and Mick McCann saw James Laverty finish in style by blasting to the net in the 16th minute.
A fine goal from the Antrim man was followed in kind from his fellow mid fielder as Mark Kelly’s cute delivery paved the way for Gerard Mc Cann to add a second major a couple of minutes later.
Those goals had insured the home side were in the driving seat and further points from Tom Shivers (2), and a Ronan Gribbin long range special increased their advantage but it was the visitors who were to have the last say.
A slick Danny O’ Neill 30th minute cross opened the way for Colla Mc Donnell to finish to the back of the net to close the gap with the home side 2-07 to 1-04 ahead at the break.
Cargin started the second half strongly with a couple of early scores as net minder John Mc Nabb bagged back to back long range points from placed efforts.
James O’ Connell replied with a 36th minute point and Danny O’ Neill found the target from long range but when Jamie Gribbin and Tomas Mc Cann bagged points apiece for the Toome side the end was in sight.
St. Mary’s kept battling but Michael McCann made an excellent catch and found Tom Shivers who sent Mark Kelly through to find the net to put the home side 3-11 to 1-06 ahead at the 45th minute mark and that was that.
Cargin emptied their bench at this stage with Brendan Laverty, PJ Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Corley and Michael Clarke introduced to the action but still retained control.
The Ahoghill net minder Noel Crossey made a number of good saves in the closing stages Kevin Mc Shane, Michael Mc Cann(2), Tomas Mc Cann John Carron and James Laverty all added points as Cargin finished in almost total control.
St. Mary’s had the last say however as youngster Colla Mc Donnell grabbed a late goal but this was very much a consolation score with Cargin crossing the winning line at 3-19 to 2-06.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-02), David Johnston, Kevin O’ Boyle, Conan Johnston, Justin Crozier (0-01), Dean og O’ Neill, Ronan Gribbin (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann (1-00), James Laverty (1-020, John Carron (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (0-05), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-01), Mark Kelly (1-01), Michael Mc Cann (0-03)
Subs
Kevin Mc Shane (0-01) for M Kelly
Brendan Laverty for D Johnston
Michael Clarke for T Shivers
Gerard Mc Corley for G Mc Cann
PJ Quinn for J Gribbin
Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham, Eamon Brady Tom Mc Glone, Neil O’ Connell, Danny O’ Neill (0-01), James O’ Connell (0-05), Ronan Gribbin, Owen Neeson, Colla Mc Donnell (2-00), PJ O’ Connell, Conor Crossey.
Referee F McCotter (Sarsfield’s)
