ACFL Division 1
St Brigid’s 1-06 Erin’s Own Cargin 1-08
A goal by mid fielder Gerard McCann in the 40th minute when he finished off a move involving John McNabb, Conan Johnston, and Michael Mc Cann, brought the Toome men back into contention and acted as the springboard for their comeback aagainst St Brigid’s at Musgrave Park on Sunday.
The south Belfast side were leading by six points at this stage through an Enda Downey pointed free but the big mid-fielder’s major strike and the introduction of Michael Mc Cann and Kevin McShane for the second half was to work the Oracle for Ronan Devlin’s men
The Toome men travelled to Musgrave on Sunday in search of a win following back to back defeats but although possession was plentiful in the early stages the Toome men found it tough to penetrate the home side’s rear guard,
A 30 metre free kick from out on the right hand side by Enda Downey saw St. Brigid’s grab an early lead following a foul on the incoming John Morgan.
Cargin opened their account a few minutes later as David Johnston and Tom Shivers combined to send John Carron away for a fine point in the 10th minute after Gerard McCorley had thwarted a St Brigid’s offensive.
Enda Downey despatched another free between the posts in the 15th minute following an indiscretion on the hard grafting Ruairi McErlain and John Morgan followed suit shortly after to make it 0-03 to 0-01.
Cargin reduced the deficit to the minimum in the 20th minutes as John McNabb came forward to despatch a ‘45’ between the posts but the home side were quick to reply and Oran Downey found his sibling Enda in the clear to raise white and Brigid’s were a couple clear again.
The Musgrave Park side struck late in the half with Ruairi McErlean rising to punch a Niall Duffy cross to the net to ensure a 1-04 to 0-02 lead but the corner forward was injured in the process and was unable to continue.
St Brigid’s faced the breeze for the second half but started on a positive note as Enda Downey despatched a 40 metre free kick firmly between the posts and the city men looked in charge.
Cargin were having trouble in turning possession and strong approach into scores but struck with a vengeance when Gerad McCann finished a good move to the net early in the second half.
Gerard Mc Corley’s intervention at the back and a delivery into the danger area by the outstanding John McNabb was directed across the opposition’s square by replacement Michael McCann.
St. Brigid’s net minder Declan Heary made a fine save to deny Conan Johnston but Gerard McCann was in the right place at the right time and the Toome side were back in the contest with three points separating the side.
The introduction of Michael Mc Cann and Kevin McShane, both appearing for the first time this season was to have an immediate impact as their colleagues responded to their introduction.
A fine James Smyth Point extended the home side’s lead but Cargin were starting to get on top with centre forward David Johnston continuing to work his socks off and Tom Shivers bagged back to back points following fouls on Michael McCann.
St Brigid’s had been knocked out of their stride as the game entered the final quarter and Gerard McCann fired over the equalizer and the momentum was now with Ronan Devlin’s side.
St Brigid’s were wilting as Cargin came good with net minder John McNabb at the forefront and a long clearance from the keeper found James Laverty in the clear but he was fouled in possession.
Tom Shiver was left to perform the coup de grace following the indiscretion on his captain with his 30 metre free despatched firmly between the posts to see his side over the line as they climb to third place in the table.
St Brigid’s: Declan Heery Fionn Mc Kiernan, Conor King, Shea Campbell, Ryan Carleton, John Toner, Callum Webb, Fergal Mennagh, James Smyth (0-01), Niall Duffy, Oran Downey, John Morgan (0-01), Peter Lundy, Enda Downey (0-04), Ruairi Mc Erlean
Cargin: John McNabb (0-03), Sean Og Quinn, Gerard Mc Corley, Cahir Donnelly, Justin Crozier, James Laverty (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Gerard Mc Cann (1-01), John Carron (0-01), David Johnston, Conan Johnston, PaudieMc Laughlin, Tom Shivers (0-03), Ciaran Bradley
Subs
Michael Mc Cann
Kevin Mc Shane
Ben Mc Larnon
Referee: D McKeown (St Gall’s)