ACFL Division 1
St. James Aldergrove 3-6 Erin’s Own Cargin 3-15
A strong opening period which included a penalty despatched by Tomas Mc Cann sewed the seeds of victory and an away win over a hard working Aldergrove on what was a sodden Crumlin sod on Wednesday evening last.
Aldergrove had really asked questions in their first year back in division 1 of the visiting reigning county champions but James Laverty’s early goal in the opening minutes ensured a positive start was enjoyed by the Toome men.
Jamie Gribbin and Tom Shivers combined to create the opening for the hard gafting wing half back to find the net and although the home side replied with a goal at the other end through wing half forward Dee Gough, a second major for the Toome men from Michael Mc Cann saw Cargin seemingly in charge.
Despite looking second best to their visitors in the early stages Adrian Dougan’s side did rise to the occasion as the tie progressed on a slippery sodden sod with Seamus McGarry leading the home side’s charge.
A Jamie Gribbin point had ensured a 2-04 to 1-03 advantage as the game progressed towards the end of the opening period but such was quickly negated at the other end as a quick interception by Gerard Mallon halted a Cargin offensive with the well delivered clearance opening the way for a Seamus Mc Garry point at the other end.
The home side were not about to make any concessions in the latter stages of the opening half and indeed the Toome men had to rely on their defence in the latter stages.
The home side were well in touch as half time approached with a pointed free from Dee Gough and a fine addition by Fergal Hanna reducing the deficit to the minimum.
Cargin upped the ante in the latter stages of the half and Mark Kelly rose to collect before splitting the posts in the 27th minute heralding a tide change.
The visitors had been troubled by the strong running home side in the first half and were only a couple of points ahead as the short whistle loomed but in the event such was about to change.
A slick interchange involving several in the green and white, including James Laverty, David Johnston and Tom Shivers saw the latter fouled in the act of striking and a penalty award followed.
Tomas McCann assumed the spot kicking duties and although net minder Ryan Mc Caffrey, who had pulled off several eye catching saves, was to deny the Cargin centre forward from the spot he was quick to find the rebound and return poste haste to the net and ensure an interval advantage of 3-6 to 1-06.
Cargin net minder John McNabb was shown a ‘black card’ in the latter stages of the half with Benen Kelly deputising for the next ten minutes which progressed without concession.
The Toome men started the second half with a six point advantage but a man down, and it was the home side who recorded the first score with Fergal Hanna finishing a strong approach to the posts with a point.
The opening strike looked to have signalled positive intentions from Adrian Dougan’s men but in the event it was the visitors who were to make the running again.
Justin Crozier and Ronan Gribbin were dominant on the Cargin ‘40’ and a flurry of scores in the next phase posted firm intentions.
Tomas Mc Cann raised a couple more white flags and with Tom Shivers, Justin Crozier and Michael Mc Cann making further additions the visitors had nipped into a 3-09 to 2-06 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Cargin looked firm favourites to finish the job at this juncture but Aldergrove were not ready to throw in the towel and a strong approach saw them give answer as the impressive Cormac Mc Garry nipped in the find the back of the net.
The visitors responded positively as James Laverty, Tom Shivers, and the back on duty John Mc Nabb knocked over points apiece to move them 8 ahead and that lead may well have increased but for a good save from Ryan McCarthy who denied Michael McCann in the closing minutes.
Cargin: John McNabb (0-01) Sean Og Quinn, Kevin McShane, David Johnston, Justin Crozier (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Jamie Gribbin (0-01), Ronan Devlin, Gerard McCann, Benen Kelly (0-01), Tomas McCann (1-08), James Laverty (0-02), Mark Kelly (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-03)
Subs: Diarmuid Quinn, Ben Mc Lernon, Hugh O’ Donnell, Charlie Mc Cann, Callum Gribbin
Aldergrove: Ryan Mc Carthy, Conor O’ Toole, Emmett Irvine, Chris Mc Veigh, Gerard Mallon, Eoin Gough, B Mc Quillan Dee Gough (0-01, James Trolan (0-02, Seamus Mc Garry (0-02), Cormac Mc Garry (0-01), Fergal Hanna (2-00)
Subs
Coary Fogarty, Chris Mc Stein, Adrian Irvine, Shea O’ Connor
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)