O’ Cahan Cup (round One)
Casement’s Portglenone 2-09 Erin’s Own Cargin 1-13
Cargin came from off the pace and a six point deficit to cross the winning line with a point to spare over the hard working Portglenone at Kelly Park on Tuesday evening.
The O’ Cahan cup, in effect the South West Division’s Senior Championship, has been placed in mothballs in recent years but has been re-launched this year with Cargin and Portglenone drawn to meet in the first round to get this year’s competition under way.
Little had separated the sides in the ACFL of late and a good crowd had gathered at the pristine Kelly Park on a fine June evening in anticipation of another close encounter.
Both sides fielded without the services of a few regulars but it was the home side who opened their account as Michael Hagen raised the opening white flag a few minutes after throw in.
The visitors were quick to reply and as back to back points from the Johnstons, Conan and his cousin Conhuir saw them take the lead by the 12th minute.
Cargin were on top in the central zone with Charlie McCann and the experienced Gerard McCann in control and went further ahead when Jack Harney fired to the net after combining with Tomas McCann in the 14th minute to give them 1-02 to 0-01 lead.
The home side responded and a a positive approach and a rasping finish from full forward Ronan Neeson in the 20th minute saw them close the gap and although Pat Shivers returned fire with a point, the Casement’s men were to gain the lead soon after.
Full back Kevin O’ Kane made his way forward to join with his attack and placed Sean Byrne and he finished to the net to give his side a one point lead.
As the end of the first half approached the visitors regained the initiative and a late point from Tomas Mc Cann ensured parity at the break 2-01 to 1-04.
Casements were first off the mark as the second half got underway and it was mid fielder Aiden McAleese who fired between the posts, defying distance in the 32nd minute.
The Toome men were quick to reply however and Tomas McCann converted back to back free kicks and Conhuir Johnston added another and the Erin’s Own men had nipped into a 1-07 to 2-02 lead.
The Bannsider’s, with the home support offering encouragement gained the upper hand again and replied with four unanswered scores as Ruairi Hagen, Caolan Tierney and two from Michael Hagen saw them lead 2-06 to 1-07 and a home win looked in sight.
A Stephen Kelly 47th minute point increased the home side’s advantage but the Toome side responded as Tomas Mc Cann, James Laverty and Pat Shivers with a long range delivery ensured parity again at 2-07 to 1-10 with the clock ticking onwards and the end in sight.
The next score was going to be vital and it fell to Cargin as a foul on the Conhuir Johnston was fully punished when Tomas Mc Cann delivered the 30 metre award between the posts and Pat Shivers followed with another to give the visitors a 1-12 to 2-07 advantage.
A fine point from Stephen Kelly reduced the deficit to the minimum but Conan Johnston replied with a point for the visitors to move them two ahead again with Michael Hagen closing the gap to the minimum once more but that was as close as it got.
Casement’s: Kevin Mullan, Kevin O’ Kane, Daniel Mc Nicholl, Jonny Convery, Caolan Tierney (0-01), Ruairi Hagen (0-01), Conor Magee, Stephen Kelly (0-01), Aiden Mc Aleese (0-02), Michael Kelly, Michael Hagen (0-04), Niall Delargy, Ronan Kelly (0-01), Sean Byrne (1-00)
Cargin: John McNabb, Ronan Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Justin Crozier, James Laverty (0-01), John Carron, Charlie Mc Cann, Jack Harney (1-00), Pat Shivers (0-03), Conan Johnston (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (0-05), Conhuir Johnston (0-03), Paul Mc Cann
Subs
Brendan Laverty
David Johnston
Referee: K Parke (St Enda’s)