ACFL Division 1
St Gall’s 2-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-09
Two goals in the second half, the first engineered by the pace laden approach from corner man Niall McCurdy and finished to the net by Conall McCabe in the 33rd minute and the second tucked away by Brendan Bradley in the latter stages proved decisive as St. Gall’s gained the verdict over the visiting Cargin men on Saturday evening.
The home side were smartly out of the start traps and led from flag-fall and although their visitors had navigated their way through to gain a sight at goal in the opening quarter Chris Kerr stood firm in the home goals.
The Milltown men had enjoyed a good league campaign as Cargin with only a single defeat endured to date arrived at Milltown Row on Saturday evening and with both searching the strength in depth of their panels it was the home side who were first to offer employment to the score board attendant as Conn Doherty raised the first white flag in the 2nd minute.
A precision strike between the posts following a good delivery was followed in kind a few minutes later as Barra McCaffrey delivered a 30 metre free on the same direction.
The visitors opened their account in the 12th minute when Michael McCann delivered a long range free between the posts but the visitors wasted chances to add to their total with a couple of goal opportunities going astray.
The Tome side looked on the way to a ‘major’ score as James Laverty, Callum Gribbin, and Michael Mc Cann conspired to find the net with Chris Kerr in the Gall’s net thwarting their intentions with a smart save.
A Michael Hopkins pointed free from the left increased the home side’s advantage and although a long range free at the other end by Tomas McCann followed it found quick response as Niall O’ Neill raised white in the 23rd minute.
Cargin continued to waste opportunities as Benen Kelly came close to finding the net in the 25th minute with Chris Kerr again standing tall on his goal line to deny him.
St. Gall’s had the better of things in the first period and closed the half on a positive note and Niall O’ Neill added a great point in the last minute to insure a 0-05 to 0-02 advantage at the break for the home side.
St Gall’s full value for their lead as the second period got under way soon increased their lead as Daniel Quinn added a point in the 32nd minute with Niall Fallon weaving a passage from the wing to open the way for Conall McCabe to fire to the net.
The home side had pedal to the metal as they continued to push forward in the second half with back to back points from Daniel Quinn insuring a 1-07 to 0-02 lead
Cargin were badly in need of inspiration as the second half progressed and fouls on Michael McCann and John Carron were punished by Tomas McCann.
The visitors continued to fight as the second half made progress and Gerard Mc Cann, and Tomas Mc Cann pointed before David Johnston fired just wide when a goal looked on.
It was to prove costly as the Milltown side responded at the other end and a smart counter saw Brendan Bradley fire to the net to extend the St. Gall’s lead.
The visitors fought to the end as the clock ticked onward and Tomas Mc Cann added two further points but the last say was to belong to St Gall’s and Colm Walsh fired over to ensure a 2-10 to 0-09 victory for the home side.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean Og Quin, Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Paul Mc Cann, Benen Kelly, Gerard Mc Cann (0-01), John Carron, David Johnston, Callum Gribbin, Paudie Mc Laughlin, Tomas Mc Cann (0-06), Michael Mc Cann (0-02) James Laverty,
Subs
Jack Harney
Charlie Mc Cann
Enda Mc Grogan
St Gall’s: Chris Kerr, Liam Lynn, Tiernan Keenan, Eoghan Mc Curdy, Dubhaitach Mac Liam, Conaill Mc Girr, Conaill Mc Cabe (1-00), Manus Crossan Colm Walsh Niall O’ Neill, Daniel Quinn, Barra Mc Caffrey, Manus Mc Crossan, Barra Mc Caffrey (0-01), Niall Mc Curdy
Subs
Daniel Quinn (0-03)
Michael Hopkins (0-01)
Niall O’ Neill (0-03),
Conor Ryan (1-00)
Referee: R Matthews (0’ D Rossa)