ACFL Division One
Cargin 0-17 St Marys Ahoghill 1-10
Cargin opened their league account with a win over a never say die Ahoghill in Toome on Sunday. The home side looked set for the win in an opening period in which they troubled the score keeper on a full fifteen occasions, raising that number of white flags but the Clooney side refused to concede and with James O’ Connell leading the charge in a second period comeback.
County champions Erins Own having a home venue in the first round of the new look league programme played hosts to Ahoghill in the opening round on a damp and breezy Toome sod on Sunday past.
The home side had the backing of the stiff easterly breeze for the first period and sprinted away to raise four white flags in the opening ten minutes. Tomas McCann opened account in the opening minute assisted in approach by his brother Michael and after he added another Benen Kelly followed suit before net minder John Mc Nabb strode forward to despatch a ‘45’in the same direction.
The Clooney men were backs against the wall in the opening phase with Diarmuid Graham and James ‘Bobby’ Magee ‘holding firm in defence but they finally opened their account in the 14th minute as Ronan Graham despatched a 30 metre free between the posts against the elements.
Having been halted for a time the home side were quickly on their way again taking control in the central zone and with Jamie Gribbin leading the charge they increased advantage in the next seven minutes through the accurate boot of Pat Shivers.
The mid-fielder despatched between the posts in the 14th minute and assuming the role of free taker to perfection he raised a further four white flags from all angles and distances to ensure a 0-10 to 0-01 lead at the 23dth minute.
Erin’s Own were in dominant mode as they continued wind assisted towards the half time break as John Carron raised a white flag from distance.
The Ahoghill cause looked forlorn as the opening period approached but were given a glimmer of hope when big Neil O’ Connell got his fist to a high delivery to send the leather to the net but that flame of optimism was quickly doused as the Toome men finished the period back on the positive.
Kevin O’ Boyle, John Carron, Benen Kelly, and Ronan Gribbin all raised whites apiece in the latter stages to ensure a 0-15 to 1-01 lead for the home side at the short whistle.
Ahoghill started the second half with the strong breeze behind them and they had reduced the deficit by a couple of points in the opening minutes as James O’ Connell and Tom Mc Glone delivered between the posts.
The Clooney men looked strong in the opening period with James Magee, Fionnbar O’ Neill his brother Daniel and Bernard Graham leading by strong example and Cargin were finding in difficult to make further progress.
Ahoghill were delivered a body blow in the 44th minute as the hard grafting Bernard Graham received a ‘black card’, but the home side were dealt a similar blow as Kevin ‘Kobo ’0’ Boyle was forced out of the action with injury.
The visitors were still well in arrears going into the last quarter but they were not about the shirk the issue as they retained the offensive with ace marksman James O’ Connell leading the way. O’Connell was unerring in his accuracy in the latter stages, raising five white flags in succession.
Cargin just could not find a way through in the closing minutes but they had done enough and at the final whistle sounded they still held advantage crossing the winning line 0-17 to 1-10 ahead to secure their opening points in this year’s league. Ahoghill will take a lot of heart from their second half performance and although they lost their opening battle in the 2024 programme the St Mary’s men will not lose heart as they look forward to the season ahead.
Cargin: John McNabb (0-01, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Kevin O’ Boyle (0-02), Justin Crozier, Ronan Gribbin (0-02), Brendan Laverty, Pat Shivers (0-05), John Carron (0-02), James Laverty, Jamie Gribbin (0-01), Benen Kelly (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (0-03), Michael Mc Cann, Mark Kelly.
Subs
Ben Mc Larnon
Michael Clarke
David Johnston
Ahoghill: Cahir O’Kane, Seamus Mc Keever, Diarmuid Graham, James Magee, Paddy Magee (0-01), Fionnbar O’ Neill, Bernard P Graham, Patrick Graham, Tom Mc Glone, Daniel 0’ Neill, Neil O’ Connell, Ronan Graham (0-01, Colla Mc Donnell, Conor Crossey, James O’ Connell (0-05)
Referee: C J Roberts (St John’s)
