Laverty Cup (South West Antrim U-18 Football)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-07 St Enda’s 2-08
A late goal from mid-fielder Carl Mc Cann after Eoin Scullion’s 57th minute strike came back off the post proved the winning score as the Toome lads came from behind to claim the win in a closely contested Laverty Cup game on the Toome sward on Monday evening.
The game had been a close affair from the outset and in the event that late delivery of their third major was enough to see the home side across the winning line.
Cargin had enjoyed the favours of the keen southerly breeze in the opening period but it was to be the Glengormley lads who were first to trouble the score board attendant when Aiden Murphy found the net for the visitors just five minutes into the game. The pace laden left sided approach from Declan Murray had paved the way for the full forward to raise a green flag and a 30 metre free, despatched by Oran Mc Kenna, added to such a few minutes thereafter.
The home side with the favours of the breeze did take time to settle in the game but a strong left sided approach by centre back Jack O’ Neill, with assistance on the way by Cillain Scullion, saw the former despatch to the back of the net and when the latter who was on the verge of an impressive performance until forced to retire early in the second period with a back injury, added a point they were on terms 1-01 apiece.
St Enda’s were in for their second major in the 20th minute as full forward Aiden Murphy grabbed his second goal, following a well directed delivery, but the Toome lads hit back through their impressive full forward who swung over a couple more white flags before Callum Gribbin weighed in with another.
The home side retained the advantage in the last portion of the opening period and when Fiontan O’ Donnell weighed in with a goal after Niall Quinn had made a superb catch to send the wing half forward clear, his late score ensuring an interval advantage of 2-04 to 2-01 to the Toome lads.
Naomj Eanna started the second half with the breeze at their backs and they opened on a positive note with a couple of early scores.
Another strong approach ventured by the strong running Declan Murray opened a path for Seannan Nagle to raise white and the former, replicated his pace laden approach soon afterwards and assumed the finishing role himself.
The visitors were struggling to break through Cargin defence as the Toome lads with Jack O’ Neill, Eoin Scullion and Sean Mc Peake strong in their rear guard duties stood firm while at the other end points from Callum Gribbin and Jack Harney saw them nip a couple of points ahead, 2-06 to 2-04 just into the last quarter.
With the breeze behind them and the impressive former full forward Aiden Murphy relocated to a central role, in attempt to counter the Cargin duo Of Jack Harney and Carl Mc Cann, the Hightown side hit back with points from Oran Mc Kenna and Padraig O’ Hare which brought them back on terms 2-06 apiece the game clock ticked onwards.
The St Enda’s had the bit firmly clenched as the end drew closer and indeed a well-directed 40 metre free despatched firmly between the posts put them in a strong position.
In the event to Toome side were not about the bend the proverbial knee to what looked inevitable and full back Eoin Scullion led the way as he strode forward to set up Carl Mc Cann for the goal that swung things in Cargin’s favour.
A 59th minute Padraig O’ Hare point offered hope for the visitors but the impressive Callum Gribbin replied to shut the door for Cargin to seal a 3-08 to 2-08 victory.
Referee C Mc Dermott (T Na Nog)
Teams
Cargin
Daniel Mc Cann, Sean Mc Peake, Eoin Scullion, Tom Mc Cann, Darra Mc Auley, Jack O’ Neill (1-00), Niall Quinn, Jack Harney (0-01), Carl Mc Cann (1-00), Seanny Hazard, Callum Gribbin (0-03), Fiontan O’ Donnell (1-00), Sean og Bovill, Cillian Scullion (0-03), Conleth Hamill.
Subs
Ryan Mc Peake
St Edna’s
Dylan Callow, Nathan Mc Keown, Aaron Mc Keown, Cillian Browne, Declan Murray (0-01), Ryan Caldwell, Ruairi Mc Bride, Michael Mc Kenna, Padraig O’ Hare, Se Steele, Seannan Nagle (0-01, Joseph Lewes, sean Lappin, Aiden Murphy (2-00), Oran Mc Kenna (0-02)