ACFL Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-13 St Mary’s Aghagallon 2-08
Cargin recorded another good win when they entertained St. Mary’s Aghagallon in Toome on Wednesday night before a good attendance at their Shore road ground.
The visitors got off to a good start and an early point from Jonathan Hannon saw them open account a couple of minutes into proceedings but the home side were not to remain in arrears for long.
A point from Jamie Gribbin was followed by a 7th minute Tom Shivers goal following a smart flick from Tomas McCann saw the home side move ahead and they were to retain such until conclusion.
Cargin following that opening concession were quick to gain in composure with Gerard Mc Cann and John Carron on top in the vital central zone and with Jamie Gribbin occupying the role of play maker they had earned a 1-05 to 0-02 advantage by the end of the opening quarter.
Aghagallon were forced into change following an injury to their mid fielder but were quick to settle into the contest and slick on the counter, they were only a score behind at the 20th minute.
Tomas Mc Cann had added a trio of points to the home side’s total with David Johnston coming up with another but back-to-back free kicks, delivered between the posts with some authority by Jonathan Hannon assured the visiting contingent support that they were very much in the contest.
Cargin looked to have gained a good lead as the end of the opening period neared when Callum Gribbin and Ben McLarnon combined for the latter to grab a 28th minute goal and the Toome side looked on their way to a healthy interval advantage.
That lead was not to remain for long and when the advancing Conor Magill was fouled inside the square, Jonathan Hannon tucked the resultant spot kick into the corner of the net and the home side’s interval advantage was reduced to five points 2-07 to 1-05.
The second half saw the visitors enjoy the advantage of the slight breeze but it was Erin’s Own who were first to strike and John Carron, Ben McLarnon and Callum Gribbin combined to set up Conan Johnston to fire to the back of the net in the 2nd minute.
The Toome men’s swift second period getaway continued as Tom Shivers fired over a good point with the visitors quicky replying through Jonathan Hannon.
Cargin were in the ascendancy however and Tom Shivers, Tomas Mc Cann and David Johnston replied with points at the other end and another special from corner back Sean Og Quinn saw the Toome men 3-11 to 1-08 ahead as the clocked ticked on into the last quarter.
The hosts looked in firm control as the management took the opportunity to empty their bench with Hugh O’ Donnell, Jack Harney, Odhran Molloy, Shea Laverty, Enda Mc Grogan and Ronan Devlin entering the fray.
It looked all over at this stage but the visitors kept battling to the end and Daryl Mc Alernon finished a good move with a point.
St Mary’s launched one last attack and Jonathan Hannon drilled his shot to the corner of the net after a good Stephen Devlin delivery but it was to be the game’s final score as Cargin maintain their place at the top of the table
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean Og Quinn (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Cahir Donnelly, Justin Crozier, James Laverty (0-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (1-06), Conan Johnston (1-00), Tom Shivers (1-02), Callum Gribbin
Aghagallon: Luke Mulholland, Kieran Hamill, Aidan Mulholland, Pat Brannigan, Conor Magill, Jamie Lamont, Ciaran Maginnis (0-01), Pauric Maginnis, Padraig Gowdy, Stephen Devlin, Niall Mc Shane (0-02), Jonathan Hannon (2-04), Daryl Mc Alernon (0-01), Enda Mallon, James Mc Cormick
Referee: C Mc Dermott (Tir na Nog)
PICS BY BERT TROWLEN