Northern Switchgear SFC Group One

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-19 Tir na nOg 1-09

Defending county senior football champions Erin’s Own Cargin advanced to the quarer finals of this year’s championship when they recorded a 10 point win over South West neighbours, Tir na nOg in Portglenone on Saturday evening.

The Toome men went into this game as firm favourites and they went on to justify the favourites tag thanks to the guile of Tomas McCann, James Laverty, Justin Crozier and the fire power of Conhuir Johnston to secure passage to the quarter finals.

A darkening sky overhead threatening the rain which duly arrived threatened a poor damp evening for those who had gathered for the latest round of the senior football championship as Erin’s Own Cargin lined out to meet Tir na nOg.

Caomhinn Duffin opened the scoring with an early point for the Whitehill side with Paul McCann replying in kind at the other end a few minutes later to square the contest.

That theme continued during the opening period which saw the sides at 0-03 apiece after ten minutes in a strong breeze carrying rain which came down as pellets.

Tomas McCann started positively and he and Pat Shivers raised whites in the Cargin cause as Eamon Og Mc Allister and Darragh Feagan replied in kind for the Randalstown side.

Conditions improved at the end of the opening quarter and Jamie Gribbin and Tomas McCann combined to open the way for Eunan Quinn to find the net.

Cargin had nipped ahead and Kevin O’ Boyle came forward to add a point but the Randalstown men were quick to reply as a strong run from Eamon Og McAllister saw the centre forward plant the ball in the corner of the Cargin net despite the best efforts of net minder Shea Laverty.

The Toome side responded as James Laverty, Conhuir Johnston (2), and Tomas Mc Cann raised white flags at the other end.

Conhuir Johnston and Oliver Mc Atamney swapped points in the latter stages of the half to see the sides take the respite offered by the short whistle with Cargin leading 1-09 to 1-04.

The second half started with the strong wind again carrying rain and Pat Shivers increased the Cargin advantage with an early point before Darragh Fagan and Eamon Og McAllister replied with points for the Whitehill side to keep their hopes alive.

Conhuir Johnston responded with a point at the other end with the impressive Ciaran O’ Neill making quick reply but Cargin were beginning to take command and hit back with points from Tomas McCann and Eunan Quinn.

The reigning champions had moved 1-16 to 1-08 ahead as the clock ticked onward with Ronan Devlin sending several replacements into the fray and Kieran Close added a point to punish a foul on fellow replacement Paudie McLaughlin.

The impressive Conhuir Johnston added back to back points in the latter stages with the Randalstown men returning fire with a point at the other end but the last score came from the hugely talented Tomas McCann.

Tir na nOg gave it everything but in the end it was not enough despite the best efforts of Eamon Og Mc Allister, Ciaran O’ Neill, and Darragh Fagan and will now turn their attentions to the Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, James Laverty (0-01)Kevin Mc Shane, Kevin O’ Boyle (0-01), Justin Crozier, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Sean og O’ Neill, Mark Kelly, Gerard Mc Cann, Jamie Gribbin, Tomas Mc Cann (0-05), David Johnston, Pat Shivers (0-04), Conhuir Johnston (0-06)

Subs:

Ciaran Close (0-01)

Paudie Mc Loughlin

Ronan Gribbin

Ciaran Bradley

Tir na nOg: Sean P Mc Atamney, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-01), Barry Mc Cormick (0-01), Caomhinn Duffin, Oliver Mc Atamney (0-01), Sean Duffin, Aaron Mc Neilly, Eamon og Mc Allister(1-03),Kevin Sheerin,  Darragh Feagan (0-04), Christy Sheerin, Kevin Sheerin, Daniel Martin, Conor Hastings,

Subs:

Barry Magee

Referee: D McKeown (St. Gall’s)