U20A Football Championship Quarter-Final
All Saint’s Ballymena 0-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 3-9
Cargin recovered from a blistering All Saints start to advance to the semi-final of the U20A football championship to win by eight in the end but they were given an early scare by a home side who looked at one stage on their way to causing an upset
Despite a less than impressive opening quarter, Cargin regained their composure and a late goal from the hugely impressive Cahir Donnelly finally killed off the challenge of a battling Ballymena side.
Cargin claimed the minor title a couple of years ago and travelled to Ballymena on Saturday as firm favourites but it was All Saints who dominated the opening exchanges.
Cal O’ Brien and Shaun O’Callaghan dominated the central zone right from the outset and back to back points by Ciaran Campbell by the 5th minutes underlined the fact that the home side meant business.
All Saints were really buzzing in the early stages and they were giving problems aplenty to their visitors and a slick interchange between Oisin Connolly and Cal O’ Brien set up Ronan Mc Killop who was denied a goal by a superb save from Shea Laverty.
The Cargin net minder, who was excellent throughout with length and accuracy from his kick outs, made a super save to deny the incoming wing half forward with the home side leading 0-03 to 0-00 at the 10th minute.
Cargin finally opened their account in the 12th minute when PJ Quinn delivered a 30 metre free between the posts to punish an indiscretion on Conan Kennedy but the home side were quick to reply.
They continued to dominate in the vital central zone and were first to the broken ball and came back with three unanswered points and were looking good at this stage of the game.
Cal O’ Brien strode through to split the posts and when Ronan McKillop added a couple more, All Saint’s had nipped into a 0-06 to 0-01 advantage and looked firmly in charge.
Cargin had struggled to make much of an impact in the opening quarter but with the towering Odhran Molloy and Benen Kelly began to gain a foothold at mid-field middle with the latter’s interception opening a path for Paudie Mc Laughlin to hoist a 20th minute white flag.
Having looked decidedly sluggish in the opening quarter the visitors began to gain a foothold with Odhran Molloy prominent and their attack came to life with Tom Shivers leading the way.
Back to back points by the full forward saw the Erin’s Own lads reduce the gap and then Eunan Quinn and Conan Kennedy combined to send Shivers in on target again in the 28th minute and he finished to the back of the net.
Having led for most of the opening period All Saint’s found themselves behind for the first time in the latter stages with their visitors leading 1-04 to 0-06 as the half time whistle sounded.
All Saints were not long in arrears as the second half got underway as the impressive Ronan Mc Killop added back to back points within a few minutes of the restart to restore their advantage.
The visitors were quick to respond however and half time substitute, Diarmuid Quinn set up Tom Shivers to duly deliver his second goal of the game and the same player quickly added a point.
Quinn added a further point to make it 2-06 to 0-08 and although Ronan Mc Killop replied with a couple of minors it was Cargin who finished strongly with the introduction of Conhuir Johnston adding impetus.
Johnston set up Cahir O’ Boyle to split the posts and then Cahir Donnelly came forward from defence and combined with Conhuir Johnston before firing to the back of the net to put his side in control.
Tom Shivers had the final score of the game when he punished a foul on Conhuir Johnston with a late, late point to see the Toome men cross the winning line and secure a date with St Brigid’s in next week-ends semi-final.
All Saints: Jason Givens, Jude Casey, Michael Reid, Ryan Mc Cartney, Archie Mc Greevey, Conaill Killough, Paddy O’ Brien, Shaun O’ Callaghan, Cal O’ Brien (0-01), Ronan Mc Killop (0-07), Oisin Connolly, Charlie Meltrusty, Colin O’Neill, Ciaran Campbell, Paul O’ Boyle
Subs:
Daniel Mc Coy
Darragh Bradley for P O’ Brien
TP Mc Gurk for A Mc Greevey
Fintan Brady for C Neill
Oliver O’ Rawe
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Caomhinn Kennedy, Cahir Donnelly (1-00), Ciaran Mc Peake, Ben Mc Larnon, Conan Johnston, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-01), Odhran Molloy, Benen Kelly, PJ Quinn (0-01), Eunan Quinn, Cian Scullion, Conan Kennedy, Tom Shivers (2-04),Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01)
Diarmuid Quinn (0-01) for PJ Quinn
Conhuir Johnston for B Kelly
Malachi Johnston for C Kennedy
Referee: G Walsh (Aghagallon)