U17A Minor Football Championship quarter-final
Cargin 3-13 St. Paul’s 2-08
A 56th minute goal by mid-fielder Charlie Mc Cann was to prove a defining factor in securing passage for his side into the semi-final of the U17A football championship where they will meet St Brigid’s at the same venue in two weeks-time.
St Paul’s made a quick getaway from the start traps with an Oisin McCann pointed free in the 4th minute.
The Shaw’s Road side could have enjoyed a bigger lead at such juncture but were denied a goal by a fine save from Daniel Mc Cann.
The Cargin keeper defied the incoming winger in his efforts to find his net and was to make several more grand saves over the course of the hour.
The home side were on terms a few minutes later as Jack Harney was on hand to punch a Jack O’ Neill cross over the bar before back to back whites raised in turn by Conhuir Johnston and Callum Gribbin ensured a 0-03 to0-01 advantage for the home side.
St Paul’s having started with a spring in the step took the lead by the 12th minute as the nimble Shea Burns added a point and when he followed up with a goal shortly after they were 1-01 to 0-03 ahead.
The home side did not dally long in arrears however and the impressive Conhuir Johnston converted three frees before adding another form play, despatching a long range effort over the bar in the 22nd minute to ensure a 0-07 to 1-01 advantage at the 22nd minute.
The visitors replied as the opening period moved towards completion and back to back points by Lorcan Philips reduced the deficit before Conhuir Johnston punished an indiscretion when he despatched the award between the posts to ensure a 0-8 to 1-03 interval lead.
Having taken a few minutes to get the proverbial show on the road in the opening period Cargin were not to dally in the second and they had extended advantage within a couple of minutes as Conhuir Johnston bagged a 3d minute goal to increase the Cargin advantage.
Central defender Ben McLarnon added a point to the home sides total and then Ciaran McPeake placed Jack O’ Neill and he finished to the back of the net to ensure a 2-09 to 1-04 advantage.
St Paul’s really needed to find response but the home side continued to dominate as Conhuir Johnston added a point after another foul on himself to continue a trend established early in play.
St Pauls replied with back to back points from Lorcan Philips and T Enright but
Callum Gribbin and Conhuir Johnston replied at the other end but the city lads were awarded a penalty following a foul on Garrett O’ Comhaill and Enright stroked the award into the corner of the net.
The home side responded and Charlie McCann made a strong advance on the left win after receiving from Ciaran Mc Peake and his delivery ended up in the net and the Toome lads looked on the road to the semis.
St Paul’s did add a couple of points in the latter minutes but the last score fell to Conhuir Johnston when he despatched a 59th minute free between the posts to ensure a place in the semi-final.
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Eoin Scullion, Hugh O’ Donnell, Patricks Matchyk, Ciaran Mc Peake, Ben Mc Larnon (0-01), Cahir O’ Boyle, Charlie Mc Cann (1-00), Cian Scullion, Jack Harney 0-01), Conhuir Johnston (1-10), Patrick 0’ Neill, Jack 0’ Neill (1-00), Diarmuid Quinn, Callum Gribbin (0-03)
Subs:
Carl Mc Cann for D Quinn
S Hazard for J O’Neill
St Pauls: Oisin Clarke, Diarmuid O’ Sullivan, Ciaran 0’Neill, Tiernan Munce, Barrie Burns, Oisin Mc Cann (0-01), Niall Mc Kenna, Eoin Mc Greevey, Oisin Casey, T Enright (1-02), Conal Devlin, Garret 0’ Comhain (0-02), Shea burns (1-01), Lorcan Phillips (0-04)
Referee: Kevin Parkes (St Enda’s)