ACFL Division 2 Reserve
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-11 O’ Donovan Rossa 2-07
Cargin’s second string retained top spot in Division 2 Reserve when 3 goals in the opening quarter ensured they gained a full return of the points as they went to record a seven point victory over from a strong finishing Rossa in Toome on Friday evening.
The Toome side opened on a very positive note when a strong Eunan Quinn approach opened the way for John Mc Nabb to blast to the back of the net with the clock not having reached a minute.
This score brought a swift reply from their visitors and the West Belfast side replied with a goal of their own as a smart approach by Michael McDade opened the way for Ian Carr to stylishly finish to the back of the net.
An explosive start to proceedings which was set to continue and the home side regained the lead quickly and Shay Bovill and PJ Quinn combined to set up Ryan McKiernan to fire to the back of the net.
Rossa looked stunned and when John Mc Nabb grabbed the resultant kick out his inch perfect delivery opened the way for PJ Quinn to add another and the home side had gone 3-02 to 1-01 clear.
Cargin looked in control as the opening period neared conclusion but a stray delivery in the latter minutes was to cost them dearly and when a quick counter from Niall Crossan opened the way for Michael Mc Dade to blast to the net the Cargin lead had been reduced to 3-04 to 2-02 at Half time
Having opened in the first half on a positive note, Cargin began the second in similar fashion with points from Eunan Quinn, Kieran Close and a fine follow up by Paudie McLaughlin and they looked back in control.
Rossa found a response however and with Paul Close to the fore they responded as Conal McDonald added back to back points and indeed the visitors were to have the better of things in the rest of the half.
The Cargin defensive were forced to stand tall in defiance with Sean Og Quinn leading by example and net minder Shea Laverty called on to make several outstanding saves to deny the foraging visitors in the latter quarter.
John Mc Nabb, Brendan Laverty and the impressive PJ Quinn did raise white flags in the latter stages to aid the home sides cause but the Toome men had to thank Laverty again in the closing stages as they finished with a 3-11 to 2-07 advantage to retain top spot.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean Og Quinn, Gerard Mc Corley, Orrin Johnston, Shay Bovill (0-01), Conan Johnston, Brendan Mc Larnon (0-01), Oran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-01), Kieran Close (0-03), John Mc Nabb (1-02)Paudie Mc Laughlin,(0-01), PJ Quinn (1-01), Ryan Mc Kiernan (1-00), Enda Mc Grogan (0-01)
Michael Clarke for Ryan Mc Kiernan
Jack Mc Allister for K Close
Ben Dobbin for O Johnston
Dermot Mc Guckin for B Laverty
Rossa: Padraig Shortt, Matthew Mc Ivor, Connor Mc Gowan, Jack Mc Gurk, Niall Crossan (0-01),Patrick Moyes, Ben Mc Cauley, Michael Mullen, Jack Morris , Michael Dudley (1-01), Michael Mc Enhill (0-02), Colm Mc Donald (0-02), Daire Matthews (0-01), Paul Close, Ian Carr.
Referee: S Higgins (Tir na nOg)