ACFL Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-13 St Gall’s 1-08
A 53rd minute goal by the hard working Benen Kelly following a deft Ciaran Bradley delivery proved the killer blow as Cargin overcame the challenge of old rivals St Gall’s in Toome on Friday evening.
The Toome men dominated the opening period with Gerard Mc Cann and his partner John Carron dominant in the central zone and they were good value for their 0-08 to 0-02 interval advantage.
The home side gave little away in defence and credit must be given to the visitor’s centre forward and keen marksman, Niall Burns who was responsible for the Milltown men’s brace of first half scores.
St Gall’s enjoyed the benefit of the breeze in the second half and their hopes of a comeback were enhanced when the home side were reduced in number, firstly losing the services of Paudie McLaughlin who was shown Red in the 37th minute followed by his team mate Ronan Gribbin a few minute later for a black card offence.
St Gall’s took advantage with back to back pointed frees from Niall Burns reducing the deficit to three points with the score 0-10 to 0-0-7 as the clock ticked down.
A St. Gall’s comeback looked on but the return of Ronan Gribbin and the dismissal of St Gall’s Thomas Bunting at the end of the third quarter saw the sides returned to parity in number.
Both the sides introduced replacements but the home side were soon to seize the upper hand and a subtle Ciaran Bradley delivery opened to way for Benen Kelly to finish to the net to put his side in command.
St Gall’s tried to return fire but Cargin were well on top and David Johnston and James Laverty added points to extend advantage to 1-12 to 0-07.
The visitors finished strongly but the home side stood strong in defence as James Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley and Cahir Donnelly rebuffed several promising attacks.
The breakthrough came however as a well-worked St. Gall’s offensive saw corner man Ruairi Wilson fouled en route to the posts with a penalty the resulting award.
Niall Burns’ finish from the spot was accurate in the extreme as he fired to the corner of the net with several minutes left on the clock to reduce the deficit to five to ensure a late thrust from the visitors.That was as close as they got however as the home defence closed shop with the long blast signalling victory at 1-12 to 1-07.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Gerard Mc Corley, Cahir Donnelly, Justin Crozier, James Laverty (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Gerard Mc Cann (0-01), John Carron, Conan Johnston (0-02), David Johnston (0-02), Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-02), Ciaran Bradley (0-02), Tom Shivers (0-01), Benen Kelly (1-02)
Subs
M Mc Cann
Kevin Mc Shane
Ben Mc Larnon
Brendan Laverty
St Gall’s: Louis Mc Goldrick, Conaill Muray, Cormac Flannery, Eoghan Mc Curdy, Dualbleath Mc Liam, Tiarnan Keenan, Jack Hopkins, Callum Walsh (0-01), Niall Burns (1-07), Niall Fallon, Michael Pollock, Brendan Bradley, Ruairi Wilson
Subs
Conn Doherty
Conor Stinton
Oran Mc Elhatton
Aodh Mullan
Conor Stinton
Referee: K Doherty (St Mary’s Rasharkin)
