Antrim Football League Division One
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-15 O’Donovan Rossa 1-08
Cargin retained top spot in the Division One ratings and and secured a place in the plays-offs as they had too much firepower for Rossa in Friday evening’s penultimate league game in Toome.
Despite losing Gerard McCann to a double yellow card twenty minutes from time the county champions were never really troubled as they showed their strength in depth once more.
The big midfielder had dominated his area up until his early shower and played a lead role in Justin Croziers 38th minute goal, but beings a man short did not deter the home side and further goals from Tomas Mc Cann and James Laverty aided them over the winning line with a 3-15 to 1-08 winning advantage.
Having enjoyed a win over Portglenone in the O’ Cahan cup competition a couple of days previously table topping Cargin stepped out again in a rearranged league fixtures as Rossa visited Toome on Friday evening.
Both the combatants had regulars missing in action with the dual club, Rossa harder hit by absenteeism but in the event the city men held their own in the opening period and it was all square after ten minutes as early points from the home side’s John Carron and Benen Kelly found replies in kind at the other end as Eoghan Mc Menamin and Daren Grego raised whites apiece.
The home side may well have gained advantage in the 12th minute as Justin Crozier and Conhuir Johnston combined to send Benen Kelly in on target with the visitors net minder Niall Crossan making a good save to deny the winger.
The remainder of the first period was close but the visitors edged ahead when a Colm Fleming’s cross opened the way for Cory Walsh to finish to the net which which put them ahead as half time neared.
However Cargin, with Gerard Mc Cann and John Carron getting to grips with the battle for midfield, finished the run-in better and further points from Conhuir Johnston and Pat Shivers brought them back on terms at the short whistle. ( 0-07 to 1-04)
Rossa started the second half well as Colm Fleming despatched a 35 metre free between the posts but Cargin came back with one from Conhuir Johnston to level matters and then added back to back points before Gerard Mc Cann’s cross opened the door for Justin Crozier to finish to the net.
A Cormac Mc Gettigan point from a 40 metre free got Rossa going again but it was to provide only a temporary respite as the Toome men upped the ante and despite losing Gerard Mc Cann to the second yellow, continued to hold the upper hand.
Jamie Gribbin made a welcome return to action after a long term injury stretch and and showed well, plus a trio of points from Conhuir Johnston Pat Shivers, and David Johnston saw them extend the advantage 1-12 to 1-07.
The home side were very much in command as the game moved towards conclusion and if any doubt still lingered on the possible outcome when Tomas Mc Cann despatched a 30 metre free between the posts and was soon to add a major score after Pat Shivers and Conhuir Johnston combined to open the door.
Just to put the icing on the cake full-back Kevin Mc Shane foraged forward from his full back berth to send James Laverty in for a late goal.
The gallant visitors did retain positivity until the end but a late point from Dara Grego came as too little too late as the home side breasted the chequered flag points secured on a 3-15 to 1-08 winning advantage.
Referee Patrick Nolan (Lamh Dhearg)
Teams
Cargin
John Mc Nabb (0-10, Brendan Laverty, Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, James Laverty (1-00), Benen Kelly (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, Justin Crozier (1-01), Charlie Mc Cann, Pat Shivers (0-04), David Johnston (0-01), Tomas Mc Cann (1-01), Conhuir Johnston (0-05), Conan Johnston (0-01)
Subs
Jamie Gribbin
Diarmuid Quinn
Odhran Molloy
Cian Scullion
Rossa
Niall Crossan, Conail Mc Donnell, Gerard Walsh, Jack Morris, Rory Grant, Cormac Mc Gettigan (0-010, Michael Mc Enhill, Eodhain Mc Menamin, Dara Grego, Eoghain Mc Menamin, Conor O’ Neill, Colm Fleming (0-03), Ronan Maguire, Coary Walsh
Subs
Oisin Murphy
Mattie Mc Kiernan
Daire Cunningham