U17 Football League
St Brigid’s 0-07 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-10
A virtuoso performance by centre forward Conhuir Johnston and an impressive eight point personal haul ensured Cargin ended the unbeaten run of St Brigid’s and ensured a win for Erin’s Own at Musgrave Park today.
Little had separated the sides from flag fall until the latter stages of the top of the table clash, but the Toome side had the last say on the matter and a couple of late points from Johnston, and another from Diarmuid Quinn ensured a three point advantage.
St. Brigid’s staged a late rally but a 62nd minute, injury time goal from corner forward Michael Gorman was ruled out because of a square ball infringement.
Cargin had started well with an early point from Diarmuid Quinn who split the posts in the opening minutes after Conhuir Johnston paved the way with a cute delivery.
The Home side were quick to answer as centre forward Ross McErlean nipped away to make prompt reply but the Toome side were dominating the central zone and moved two point clear by the 7th minute.
Conhuir Johnston added a 5th minute point after an astute delivery from Jack O’ Neill opened the way and when Cahir O’ Boyle was fouled, Johnston clipped the resultant award between the posts.
The visitors dominated the early exchanges and full forward Diarmuid Quinn was sent clear but the big man’s attempted cross was just outside the reach of the advancing Pat O’ Neill to the relief of the home support.
St Brigid’s replied and a foul on the advancing Ross Mc Erlean was punished when Conor Finnegan despatched the resultant award between the posts.
The visitors were dominant in the middle of the field and they looked to be in for a goal in the 18th minute but St. Brigid’s net minder Luke Cullinan made an excellent save to deny Diarmuid Quinn.
The home side replied and Ross Mc Erlean punished an over carrying offence to send the award between the posts before Dara Quinn grabbed the resultant kick out to add another and St. Brigid’s led 0-04 to 0-03 at half time.
St Brigid’s started the second half with a narrow advantage but it didn’t last long as Cargin claimed the throw in with Patrick O’ Neill and Callum Gribbin combining to send Conhuir Johnston away to split the posts.
The Toome side should have moved further ahead in their next attack but St Brigid’s net minder Luke Cullinan again denied Diarmuid Quinn with an excellent save.
Conhuir Johnston added a 36th minute point but the Musgrave Park side were quick to reply as James Higgins went wide to collect a defensive clearance to forward between the posts and it was all square again after 40th minutes.
Cargin were beginning to get on top at mid-field again through Charlie McCann, and Cian Scullion and with Conhuir Johnston firing on all cylinders he added three points in succession to give them a two point advantage.
The home side were able to find a response and back to back points from Ross Mc Erlean and Dara Quinn left matters all square again at 0-08 apiece after 53rd minutes.
It looked anybody’s game at this stage but it was visitors Cargin who finished the stronger and with the impressive Conhuir Johnston firing over a further brace of points in the latter stages and Diarmuid Quinn adding another and they looked home and dry.
The home side finished strongly and they had the ball in the visitors net in time added on but the score was ruled out for a square ball infringement with Cargin breasting the winning line at 0-11 to 0-08.
St Brigid’s: Luke Cullinan, Diarmuid Hanna, Sonny Doyle, Matthew Lord, Thomas Mc Kenna, Conor Logue, Conor Finnegan (0-01), Peter Mulgrew, Oscar Conlon, Dara Quinn(0-02), Rory Mc Erlean (0-03), Con Gilecce, Joseph Mellon, James Higgins (0-01), Michael Gorman.
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Eoin Scullion, Hugh O’ Donnell, Patrick Matchyk, Jack O’ Neill, Ben Mc Larnon, Cahir O’ Boyle, Cian Scullion, Charlie Mc Cann, Jack Harney, Conhuir Johnston (0-08)Ciaran Mc Peake, Patrick O’ Neill, Diarmuid Quinn(0-02), Callum Gribbin
Subs
Carl Mc Cann for P O’ Neill
Referee: M Quinn (St Enda’s)
