Antrim U-15 (B) Football Championship (Qtr Final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-09 Kickham’s Creggan 1-13
Cargin defied the late comeback from their near neighbours to gain a place in the semi-final stages of the under-15 B football championship following a hugely entertaining game on a firm sod at the Toome venue on Thursday evening.
The Erin’s own side under the watchful eyes of former players Gerard O’ Boyle and Dermot Mc Peake looked destined for a place in the last four when a well taken goal by Carl Mc Cann gave them five point advantage, 3-09 to 1-10 but the Kickham’s lads rallied and asked questions of the Cargin rearguard.
The last minutes saw the visitors mount a strong challenge with high fetching mid-fielder Conor Downey leading to way but although they did earn a three point total in the last minutes that was to be as close as they were to get to their hosts with Cargin breasting the line to claim a semi final berth holding a hard earned 3-09 to 1-13 winning advantage.
Having dominated in league fare and shared a win apiece in such the next meeting of near neighbours and close rivals, Cargin and Creggan attracted a big crowd in anticipation as they met in championship action on Thursday evening.
Both had gained easy access though their opening round affairs and a place in the semi final was the prize on offer for this one.
A close encounter was expected on a pristine sod at the Shore Road venue, and in the event that was about to be delivered.
Creggan with a height advantage in the mid field sector started in the positive and early points supplied in turn by Shea Mc Cann and Ronan Mc Guckian ensured the visitors were out in front.
Cargin soon regained parity after Patrick O’ Neill punished and indiscretion on Niall Quinn to send the 30 metre free awarded firmly between the posts before Fintan Donnell set up Jack O’ Neill who slotted over to leave the sides level on 0-02 apiece with ten minutes on the game clock.
Creggan, with the towering Conor Downey showing well in the central zone did went four points ahead by the end of the opening quarter, as Antoine Martin and Ronan Mc Guckian took advantage of a openings to raise back to back white flags and when a fine fetch by the afore mentioned Conor Downey opened the way for centre forward Antoine Martin to add another to put the visitors ahead.
The home side came close in the 17th minute as Fiontan Hardy gathered a Darragh Seanny Hazard delivery fired in a shot, only to be denied by the post when a goal looked probable.
Another Antoine Martin minor ensured the visitors nipped four points clear in the 17th minute but Cargin started to reduce the lead
Cillian Scullion who was to post a fine individual performance in the ‘fetch and deliver’ role sent Fiontan Hardy on his way to the posts again in the 20th minute and the strong running centre forward fired to the Creggan net in stylish fashion to hand the initiative back to the home team.
Invigorated by this score gained the soon drew level and a foul on Mc Peake was punished when Fiontan Hardy delivered the award between the posts to square the game at 1-03 to 0-06.
After delivering from the free kick to see the home side on par Fiontan Hardy was soon back in action when a Seanny Hazzard delivery sent him clear on the left wing to set up Darragh O’ Boyle, who was denied by the Cregaan keeper, but Patrick O’ Neill was on hand to fire the leather to the back of the net.
Cargin having secured advantage extended such via the impressive Niall Quinn who came forward to despatch between the posts a couple of minutes later and after Albie Mc Keown and Patrick O’ Neill swapped points Cargin went in at the break with a four point advantage. (2-05 to 0-07).
A close fought and entertaining opening period ensured the big attendance anticipated more of the same in the second half and they were not to be disappointed.
Creggan were first to make impact within a couple of minutes after the restart when full forward Shea Mc Cann despatched to the back of the net to reduce the home side’s advantage to the minimum.
The Toome lads were quick to reply however and back to back points by Fiontan Hardy from play and Ryan Mc Peake from a free put them three clear again.
Creggan hit back again in the 40th minute as Shea Mc Cann grabbed a point but a Fiontan Hardy reply at the other end kept Cargin in control.
As the last quarter progressed the visitors Ronan Mc Guckian reduced the deficit with a fine point following a strong advance from mid fielder Conor Downey but a fetch and deliver by the eye catching Niall Quinn saw Ryan Mc Peake raise a white flag at the other to ensure a 2-09 to 1-10 lead for the Toome boys.
Creggan battled to get back in the game but a clearance from a defender saw Fiontan Hardy receive the clearance and after teaming up with Patrick O’ Neill they put centre forward Carl Mc Cann in for a goal to ease Cargin five clear.
The end did look in sight but To their credit Creggan kept battling and points apiece from Antoine Martin and Conor Loughran ensured only a score divided the sides. It was backs to the wall time for the Cargin lads but they stuck firmly to their task, and despite the addition of a couple of minutes ‘injury time’ the home’s defence was not to be breached again.
Cargin will meet up with another Kickham’s in the semi semi finals after the Ardoyne lads impressed with their quarter final win over Michael Davitt’s on a scoreline of 8-18 to 3-09.
Gort na Mona gained victory over St John’s wtih a 3-12 to 0-08 win at Corrigan Park and they will meet up with All Saint’s in the semi-final stages with the Ballymena lads concluding with a 6-12 to 0-05 win gained over St Joseph’s Glenavy up at ‘Chapel Hill’.
Referee C Mallon (Aghagallon)
Cargin
Conleth Hamill, Sean Mc Peake, Eoin Scullion, Darragh Mc Auley, Niall Quinn (0-01), Fintan O’ Donnell (0-01, Ewan Mc Laverty, Jack O’ Neill, Patrick O’Neill (1-02), Ryan Mc Peake (0-01), Carl Mc Cann (1-00), Sean Hazzard, Darragh O’ Boyle, Fiontan Hardy (1-4), Cillian Scullion.
Subs
Sean og Bovill for R Mc Peake
Creggan
Sean O’ Hara, Shea Mc Larnon, Jack Hamill, Jack Sweeney, Jude Mc Ateer, Cillian Mc Eldowney, Fintan Kelly, Liam Mc Larnon, Conor Downey, Albie Mc Keown (0-01), Antoine Martin (0-03), Shea Devlin (0-01), Ronan Mc Guckian (0-04), Shea Mc Cann (1-02), Conor Loughran (0-01)
Subs
Conor Mc Larnon for J Sweeney