Reserve Football Cup (Semi final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-17 Kickham’s Creggan 0-06
A Benen Kelly goal, ten minutes into the second half sealed the deal and ensured Cargin a place in the final of the Reserve Cup at the expense of their near neighbours and close rivals Kickham’s Creggan on Wednesday evening.
The Toome men made the better start and with Kieran Close sharp in front of the posts and the dominance of Charlie McCann and Odhran Molloy in the middle were quickly into their stride.
Benen Kelly opened their account with an early point with the visitors quick to post response as centre back Liam McCann replied at the other end but Cargin went on to dominate and led 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
The Creggan net minder Leon Bonnes made a splendid save to deny Enda McGrogan in the 6th minute with an upright coming to Creggan’s rescue but Kieran Close raised three white flags in succession and Feargal Johnston added another and the home side were 0-06 to O-01 ahead.
Kickham’s improved in the second quarter with Sean Donnelly and Liam Mc Cann leading the way. A foul on the centre forward was punished when Mark Dougan despatched the resultant free firmly between the posts in the 18th minute but Kieran Close replied at the other end after Paudie McLaughlin was fouled.
A superbly taken Jake McAteer point hinted at a positive finish by the Kickham’s men but it failed to materialise and further points from Feargal Johnston and Benen Kelly saw the Toome men take respite with a 0-09 to 0-03 advantage.
Both sides took a time to get going as the second half got under way but Creggan had their net minder Leon Bonnes to thank as he denied half time substitute John McNabb in the opening exchanges.
The home side were confident in their approach and opened their second half account when Fergal Johnston split the posts in the 37th minute after good approach work by Sean Og Quinn and Paudie McLoughlin.
Creggan replied with an impressive Liam Mc Cann point from an acute left sided angle but the home side were quick to make reply through back to back points from Tom Shivers and John McNabb.
The visitors struggled for scores and opted for the lofted delivery but the home defence stood firm with Conan Johnston, Sean Og Quinn, and Hugh O’ Donnell making timely interventions.
Erin’s Own launched a decisive counter involving several players with John McNabb’s cross palmed to the net by the excellent Benen Kelly and Cargin were 1-12 to 0-04 ahead and in total control.
Creggan were badly in need of scores but Liam McCann’s blasted effort crashed off the crossbar and over for a point when a goal was badly needed. Aiden Mc Keown followed with another point a few minutes later but that was to be their final score.
Cargin laid siege to the Creggan posts in the latter stages as Tom Shivers and John McNabb, added points and Benen Kelly added another to conclude the scoring to send Cargin through to the final where they will meet St. Gall’s.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean og Quinn, Conan Johnston, Hugh O’ Donnell, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01),Benen Kelly (1-03), Ronan Devlin, Odhran Molloy, Charlie Mc Cann, Fergal Johnston (0-03), Brendan Laverty, Kieran Close (0-04), Enda Mc Grogan, Tom Shivers (0-04),
Subs
John Mc Nabb (0-03)
PJ Quinn
C Scullion
Kyle Johnston
Diarmuid Quinn
Creggan: Leon Bonnes ,Mark Mulholland, Sean Mc Auley, Pearce Mc Guckian, Jake Mc Ateer (0-01), Odhran Hampsey, Aiden Mc Keown (0-01), Sean Donnelly (0-02), Dermot Mulholland, David Mc Guckin (0-01), Tiernan Mc Larnon, Brian Mc Ateer, Mark Dougan (0-01), Leigh Johnston.
Referee: B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)
