Under-19 Football Championship (final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 2-13 St Brigid’s 0-10
Dominance in the second period and a couple of late goals, the first from the eye catching Callum Gribbin, and another from Diarmuid Quinn ensured the under 19s of Erin’s Own Cargin made it a double having retained the senior title a few weeks back before a good crowd under the floodlights at the Dunsilly venue on Thursday evening.
The Toome lads having dominated the middle sector in the opening period, where the impressive Charlie Mc Cann reigned supreme, were only a point in front at the short blast with a trio of white flags raised by senior star Conhuir Johnston helping them to a 0-06 to 0-05 lead.
St Brigid’s had stayed alongside the Toome lads for much of the first period and were on terms at 0-05 apiece in the 29th minute when Rory Mc Erlaine sent a 40 metre free between the posts but when a Charlie Mc Cann fetch opened the way for Conhuir Johnston to follow suit at the other end Cargin had earned an advantage which they were set to maintain, and extend, until the end.
A close encounter was anticipated between these two rivals Cargin and St Brigid’s, having crossed swords in recent back to back under=18 finals to determine the recipients on the under-19 championship under the glare of the Dunsilly lights on Thursday evening.
In the event the opening thirty minute period was to prove as predicted by many in the ‘close’ category.
Cargin were first to strike as Jack Harney, who had an excellent game, raised a 5th minute white flag after beings put clear by Tom Shivers.
St Brigid’s were quick to reply as points from Conor Downey and a well manufactured Aodhan Mc Nicholl white flag quickly followed to see the South Belfast boys in front.
Cargin regained parity by the 10th minute via points from Tom Shivers and Conhuir Johnston after Brigid’s had nipped ahead with a point from midfielder Conor Logue to make it o-03 apiece at the end of the first quarter.
Another pointed free from the ever accurate Tom Shivers gave the Toome side the advantage by the 20th minute and a late brace from Conhuir Johnston who managed to escape his marker, matched back to back points from Rory Mc Erlaine and Aodhan Nicholl for the south Belfast side, but Cargin got their noses in front at the interval to head down the tunnel with an 0-06 to 0-05 advantage.
Cargin started in the second period as in the first with Callum Gribbin opening his account with a 32nd minute point after good work from the hard grafting Jack Harney opened the way, and when the corner forward added another a few minutes later the Erin’s Own lads nipped three points clear, 0-08 to 0-05.
St Brigid’s lads closed the gap to the minimum with back-to-back free kicks from Brian Mc Gurk and Rory Mc Erlaine and for a time it looked like they were getting the upper hand, but Cargin came back strong and Tom Shivers sent one between the posts after man of the match Charlie McCann had risen highest again to collect and deliver.
A foul on the incoming Niall Duffy was firmly punished in the 47th minute as the ever accurate Rory Mc Erlaine despatched the resultant award between the posts to reduce the gap to the minimum again, but a Conhuir Johnston delivery to Callum Gribbin was sent between the posts again and give the Erin’s Own lads the breathing space of a two point advantage 0-10 to 0-08 with 8 minutes left on the clock.
Brian Mc Gurk kept St Brigid’s in touch when he sent a 30 metre free over the bar but Cargin were gaining the upper hand and a clearance by corner man O’ Neill opened the way for Tom Shivers to split the posts with just five minutes left of normal time. Impressive replacement Cahir O’ Boyle got his forwards back into action and a high Conhuir Johnston delivery opened the way for Callum Gribbin to find the back of the net to open a decisve 1-12 to 0-09 lead.
A late Rory Mc Erlaine free for St Brigid’s cut the gap but the Toome side delivered the killer blow when a Tom Shivers cross saw Diarmuid Quinn flicking the leather into the back of the net to give his team a 2-13 to 0-10 advantage and Under 19 title.
CARGIN
Daniel Mc Cann, Caomhinn Kennedy, Patryck Matchyk, Jack O’ Neill, Patrick O’ Neill, Cahir Donnelly, Ben Mc Larnon, Charlie Mc Cann, Conan Johnston, Jack Harney (0-01), Conhuir Johnston (0-03), Kian Scullion. Callum Gribbin (1-03), Tom Shivers (0-06), Diarmuid Quinn (1-00)
Subs
Cahir O’ Boyle for B Mc Larnon
ST BRIGID’S
Donnach Mc Gurk, Thomas Lloyd, Conor O’ Connell, Samir O’ Hare, Sonny Doyle, Thomas Mc Kenna, Conor Logue (0-02), Brian Mc Gurk (0-01), Dara Quinn, Conor Downey (0-01), Niall Duffy, JJ Higgins, Aodhan Mc Nicholl (0-02), Rory Mc Erlaine (0-04)
Referee R Leahy (St Ergnat’s)
