Cargin gain bragging rights in local derby

ACFL Division 1

Kickham’s Creggan 1-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-14

Cargin gained the bragging rights with a narrow win over their nearest neighbours, and close rivals Creggan following a fully contested division one game in Staffordstown on Wednesday evening.

Both sides were missing a few regulars but that didn’t lessen the fare provided and an early goal by Dermot McCann ensured the home side led at the end of the opening period.

The visitors nipped ahead early into the second half however with back to back John Carron points and were never headed after that though the game was in the balance until the final whistle.

Both sides exchanged points in the opening exchanges but Creggan took the lead in the 6^th minute as a slick left sided approach opened the way for Dermot McCann to fire home from close range.

**John Carron lies strewn as Dermot McCann (8) watches his shot nestle in the Cargin net for the game’s only goal**

Little separated the sides after this but the home side continued to hold sway at mid-field with Dermot McCann prominent and despite Ciaran Bradley and David Johnston raising white flags in reply to a fine Keelan Mc Cann point the home side retained advantage 1-03 to 0-03 at the end of the opening quarter.

Cargin began to get a foothold in the central zone at the start of the second quarter with Gerard Mc Cann and John Carron coming more and more into the game but a strong run by the impressive Sean Duffin opened the way for Paddy Coey to split the posts

The home side held a four point advantage at this stage but Cargin kicked four on the bounce in as many minutes through Ronan Gribbin, Jamie Gribbin and a two from Tom Shivers to bring the sides level at 0-07 to 1-04 as the end of the opening period drew near.

A fine James Laverty point edged the visitors ahead and Creggan then suffered a telling blow when goal scorer McCann was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card, reducing the Kickham’s to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

**John Carron, who’s two early second half points began the Cargin fightback is fouled by Creggan’s Tiernan McLarnon**

It was Creggan who finished the half on top however as a fine individual score from Joe Mc Ateer and a Paddy Coey finish from a free in time added saw the home side head to the dressing rooms a point ahead.

Cargin started the second half on the front foot as mid-fielder John Carron added back to back points but a Paddy Coey pointed free at the other end following a foul on the impressive Sean Duffin tied the contest once more.

As the game continued in intensity in the warm sunshine Cargin took the lead when Tom Shivers, who had a fine game added a couple of points and David Johnston followed with another to move the visitors 0-12 to 1-7 ahead.

The extra man was evidently having its toll but the home side were still working their socks off to compensate and Dominic McAteer fired over to close the gap to the minimum again in the 52^nd minute.

Cargin replacement, Sean Og O’ Neill made an immediate impact as he grabbed a fine 25^th minute point to move his side two ahead with Dominic McAteer again reducing the deficit to one from a 40 meter free and it still looked anybody’s game.

**James Laverty has the ball broke from his grasp by Tiernan McLarnon**

Sean Og O’ Neill’s delivery sent Tom Shivers away to split the posts at the other end to secure a two point advantage once more and that score looked to have secured it for the Toome side.

There would be one last drama in this excellent contest however as a turnover deep in the Creggan defence and a swift counter-attack saw Sean Duffin race clear on a one on one with Cargin net-minder John Mc Nabb but the big net minder parried his shot and it was cleared to safety.

Dominic Mc Ateer did have the last say when he drilled a 62^nd minute free between the posts but it was Cargin who held on to breast the line with the points secured.

Creggan: Peter Graham Jake McAteer, Ethan Carey Small, Conor Og Mc Cann, Sam Maguire, Aodhan Maguire, Joe Mc Ateer (01), Dermot Mc Cann (1-0), Keelan Mc Cann, Tiernan Mc Larnon, Conor Small, Liam Quinn (0-01), Paddy Coey (0-03). Dominic Mc Ateer (0-04), Sean Duffin (0-01)

Subs

Conor Mc Cann

Odhran Mc Larnon

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Corley, Justin Crozier, Kevin O’ Boyle, Ronan Gribbin (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron (0-02), James Laverty (0-01), Brendan Laverty, David Johnston (0-02), Ciaran Bradley (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-04), Jamie Gribbin (0-02)

Subs

Conan Johnston

Sean Og O’ Neill (0-01)

Ben Mc Larnon

Referee: C Mc Donnell (St Gall’s)