Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 1
St Johns 0-09-0-09 Creggan Kickhams
Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park
2021 championship winners Creggan edged through to the quarter-final of the 2022 series despite 13-man St Johns levelling with the last kick of the game in 0-09 apiece draw at Corrigan Park on Sunday evening.
Ruairi McCann kicked half of his sides six first half scores, which at one stage had them five to the good- though St Johns- who relied heavily upon the free-taking of Paddy McBride over the course of the evening; battled their way back.
Needing a win to ensure progression the hosts lost Conor Hand and Bam Neeson to red cards in the final quarter but were able to earn a share of the spoils following a late Joseph Garland point.
The permutations were simple for both sides heading into the eagerly awaited encounter. For St Johns- only victory would see them take a place in the last eight, while Champions Creggan needed to avoid defeat at all costs and would progress with a share of the spoils- though they very much had their eyes set of top-spot.
Eunan McAteer fisted his side in front in the early stages on the Whiterock Road, but Paddy McBride drew the hosts level with a shot that bounced over Oisin Kerr and the crossbar.
Creggan regained the lead through a converted Ruairi McCann free- the first of five successive scores that had the County Champions in control of the half.
They increased their lead through a fine Dominic McAteer score, the full forward would land another effort in-between back-to-back frees from McCann as the Staffordstown Road outfit were 0-06-0-01 to the good.
The Johnnies were largely second best but halved the deficit at the interval thanks to successive converted frees from Paddy McBride to ensure it was a three-point game at the midway point.
St Johns started the second period brightly as Luke Pedan found the run of Paddy McBride to swing over his second point from play of the evening. A third converted free followed from the talisman and just a single point separated the sides.
Ruairi McCann replied for the Champions with a free- their first score since the 25th minute, but McBride kicked his third score since the break to make it a one-point game yet again.
Further scores were traded as the game entered the final quarter very much on a knife-edge, Kevin Rice made an immediate impact upon his introduction as he sent a neat pass to Martin Johnston to drop an effort over the bar.
At the other end St Johns substitute Conor Hand was felled and it gave Paddy McBride the opportunity to hit back, which he took to make it 0-08-0-07.
With ten minutes remaining and game almost delicately poised the hosts decided to spring Matt Fitzpatrick from the bench and as part of a double substitution- sub keeper Matthew Leydon entered proceedings, allowing Bam Neeson to join the attack in a bid to turn the game in their favour.
The hosts hopes of victory were dealt a blow when substitute Hand was adjudged to have kicked out off the ball and referee Darren McKeown issued a red card.
Despite being a man light the Johnnies restored parity thanks to an angled effort from Conal McGlade that dropped over the bar.
Creggan moved into the driving seat for the final time courtesy of a score from captain Kevin Small.
They should have wrapped the game up when Jamie McCann broke the resulting kick-out down to Eunan McAteer and he slipped in Ruairi McCann to race through on the Johnnies goal, though Matthew Leydon produced a fantastic save to keep his side in contention.
As the game ticked into added time St John’s were reduced to 13-men after Bam Neeson was shown red for what appeared to be an off the ball incident, though Creggan substitute Kevin Rice was also shown the line for a pull down that saw him black carded.
It looked as though Creggan would see the game out and finish on top of the Group 1 standings- however St John’s hit back with the final play of the game ensured they would bow out with a share of the spoils thanks to a splendid Joseph Garland point.
There wasn’t enough to seek a winner that would have sent the hosts through as Darren McKeown brought proceedings to a close.
The result meant that Creggan finished level on points with Lámh Dhearg at the top of the ‘Group of Death’ but scoring difference saw them take second spot and sets up a quarter-final meeting with Rossa.
St John’s will meanwhile turn their attention to the hurling Championship and a clash with Cushendall next-week that could see them advance to the semi-final with a victory in North-Antrim.
St Johns: B Neeson, C Kerr, C Garland, J Garland (0-01), R Hannigan, P Nugent, P Donnelly, S McDonagh, P McBride (0-07, 0-05f), R McNulty, C Johnston, A McGowan, C McGlade (0-01), L McCrudy, L Pedan. Subs: C Hand for R Hannigan (42), L Heenan for P Donnelly (45), M Leydon for L Heenan (53), M Fitzpatrick for L McCurdy (53).
Creggan Kickhams: O Kerr, EC Small, R Johnston, E McAteer (0-01), A Maguire, M Johnston (0-01), J McCann, K Small (0-01), K McCann, T McAteer, F Burke, O McLarnon, L Quinn, D McAteer (0-02), R McCann (0-04f). Subs: Blood sub: S Duffin for O McLarnon (27-30) C McCann for E McAteer (60+4). K Rice for F Burke (46), S Duffin for L Quinn (54), K Burke for J McCann (60+1).
Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)
