ACFL Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-10 Kickham’s Creggan 0-07
Cargin came out top in this local derby when they gained the verdict over their neighbours from Creggan in a hard fought encounter before a good attendance in Toome on Wednesday evening.
Both sides started without the services of key players and the opening thirty minutes saw little in it but a 17th minute Tom Shivers goal ensured a 1-04 to 0-03 half time advantage for the Toome men.
Creggan had remained in close contact with their hosts and were on terms at the end of the opening quarter on three points apiece but the home side gained advantage in the second quarter and retained that advantage to the end.
Games between these close rivals, Erin’s Own Cargin and Kickham’s Creggan are by tradition close fought affairs and another was anticipated by the big attendance that had gathered in Toome on Wednesday evening.
A stiff northerly wind swept the pitch as the game got under way with the home side enjoying the favours of the elements but it was to be the visitors who were to begin on the positive with a point delivered by centre back Jamie Mc Cann after a couple of minutes.
John Mc Nabb had the home side on terms when he left his goal line to come forward and despatch the equaliser from long range shortly after.
The visitors hit the front again in the 10th minute as impressive corner forward Conor Small raised another white flag from a placed effort which followed a foul on James McAteer 30 metres from the posts.
Cargin regained parity shortly after when Hugh O’ Donnell’s trek into the Creggan half opened the way for Callum Gribbin to split the posts and it was the young defenders advance and delivery between the posts which allowed the home side to gain the lead at 0-03 to 0-02 as the end of the opening quarter approached.
That trend continued in the opening phase as score at one end prompted quick reply at the other and so it continued as a Sean Duffin’s point from a well-constructed approach and positive delivery ensured level pegging at 0-03 apiece.
The second quarter hinted at more of the same in the opening phase but change was in the air as Conan Johnston got on to a Justin Crozier delivery to combine with Michael McCann to send Tom Shivers on his way to find the net.
The Toome men had opened daylight on the score board at 1-03 to 0-03 and with the breeze as a friend it was a case of what we have we hold in the latter stages of the half.
The back in harness Paul McCann then delivered between the posts with the last action of the half to ensure a 1-04 to 0-03 advantage for the Erin’s Own men at the half time break.
As the combatants returned to the pitch for the second half it was obvious that the stiff breeze which had continued throughout the opening period had lessened considerably and it was to be the visitors who were to prove quicker out of the start traps.
Within a couple of minutes they had closed the gap to a couple of points through the accurate Conor Small and the scene looked set for an excellent second half.
A foul on Sean Duffin was punished when he despatched the placed effort between the posts and when he followed with another shortly after only a couple of points separated the sides with the Toome men at 1-04 to 0-05 and Creggan looked to be on the comeback trail.
The home side were quick to provide answer when a foul on David Johnston was punished when John Mc Nabb despatched the resultant free firmly between the posts with Conor Small finding the target again at the other end to reduce the gap to two again.
Cargin were beginning to dominate in defence where Ronan Gribbin, and Keving McShane were giving nothing away with the latter’s pace going forward paying dividends as he opened the way for Michael Mc Cann to raise a 40th minute white flag.
Ronan Devlin’s delivery then set up Paul McCann to add another and secure a four point lead 1-07 to O-06 at the end of the third quarter.
The hosts dominated in the later stages as their defence closed shop and in a swift counter attack Callum Gribbin looked in for a goal but was denied by a smart save by Creggan keeper Oisin Kerr.
Cargin finished strongly with Michael McCann leading the way in attack and the full forward was to add a trio of points, a couple from acute left sided angles with a Conor Small point for the visitors their only reply.
This win sees Cargin maintain top spot on score difference alongside Portglenone and St. Brigid’s who both recorded victories on Wednesday night and with four rounds remaining, the race for the title could go right down to the wire.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-02), Hugh O’ Donnell (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Justin Crozier, James Laverty, Ronan Devlin, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Conan Johnston, Tom Shivers (1-00), Michael Mc Cann (0-06), Paul Mc Cann (0-01)
Subs:
Odhran Molloy
Diarmuid Quinn
Creggan: Oisin Kerr, Dermot Mulholland, Ethan Carey Small, Jame Mc Ateer, Tiernan Mc Ateer, Jamie Mc Cann (0-01), Oran Hampsey, Keelan Mc Cann, James Mc Ateer, Sean Duffin (0-01), Aodhan Mc Keown, Dominic Mc Ateer, Tiarnan Mc Larnon, Conor Small (0-05), Sean McAuley
Referee: Mark O’ Neill (Armoy)
