Antrim Under-17A Football Championship (semi-final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 0-05 St Brigid’s 1-04
A 10th minute goal by impressive full forward JJ Higgins was to prove crucial as St Brigid’s gained a place in the under-17 football championship at the expense of a fancied Erin’s Own side in a blustery rain lashed Toome on Sunday last.
The full forward was first to a Technan McGarvey delivery just after a Conhuir Johnston’s point at the other end had seen the home side get off in front. Higgins was first to his wing man’s delivery to punch to net to give the South Belfast side the lead.
The full forward added a point a couple of minutes later and in the unfriendly conditions with the onlookers looking for shelter, the 1-01 to 0-01 lead looked a useful advantage.
Cargin’s Conhuir Johnston was being carefully shadowed and the home side were finding the target difficult to navigate as several promising openings were spurned as the wide ball tally increased.
It was Johnston who was to make the next mark when he fired between the posts from long range after an illegal tackle on himself.
As the home side proceeded to have difficulty in finding the target Cahir O’ Boyle came forward to punish a further indiscretion on the hard grafting Jack O’ Neill in the 29th minute which was to complete the tally in the opening period and the visitors took respite from the conditions holding a 1-02 to 0-03 advantage.
Conditions deteriorated as the second half got under way and after Rory McErlaine came forward to send a 30 metre free between the posts to increase the St Brigid’s lead, another foul on Conhuir Johnston at the other end was punished when Cahir O’ Boyle sent the award between the posts.
Scores were proving increasingly difficult to come by in the difficult conditions but a couple from the accurate boot of centre forward Rory McErlaine from the left hand side ensured a 1-04 to 0-04 advantage for the visitors as the game entered the final stages.
The home side needed to find the net in the last minutes but the St Brigid’s defence stood firm as the clock ticked onwards towards completion.
Conhuir Johnston, who had been closely marked throughout, added a point after taking a pass from the impressive Jack Harney but in the event it was not enough as St Brigid’s stood firm to go forward to the final.
St Brigid’s will meet Con Magees Glenravel in next week’s decider after the South West side travelled up to Milltown on the same day returning with an impressive semi-final victory over St Gall’s.
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Eoin Scullion, Hugh O’ Donnell, Patryk Matchyk, Ciaran Mc Peake, Ben Mc Larnon, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-02), Cian Scullion, Charlie Mc Cann, Jack Harney, Conhuir Johnston (0-03) Patrick O’ Neill, Jack O’ Neill, Diarmuid Quinn, Callum Gribbin
St Brigid’s: Luke Logue, Conor 0’ Connell, Conor Logue, Darra O’ Grady, Thomas McKenna, Sonny Doyle, Mark Goodman, Thomas Lloyd, Donnach McGurk, Techal McGarvey, Rory Mc Erlean (0-03), Dara Quinn, Conor Gilecce, JJ Higgins, James Mallon.
Subs
Fiontan Hardy for P O’ Neill
Referee: M O’ Neill (Armoy)
