Reserve Cup Football (Qtr Final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-08 Kickham’s Creggan 1-09
A last minute point by corner forward Brian Mc Ateer was to prove the difference and ensure a place in the next round of the competition as Creggan gained the verdict over their hosts from Cargin in a close fought affair in the Reserve Cup competition at Toome on Wednesday evening.
Little had separated the near neighbours and the close rivals throughout but after the combatants had shared goals apiece in the latter stages a Shea Laverty point from a ‘45’ saw the home side nip ahead. However back came the visitors in the final minutes and after a Teddy Mc Keown point brought Creggan level before another from corner man Mc Ateer sealed a semi-final spot.
Despite the incessant rain which had prevailed for most of the day the sod at the Toome venue was in good nick as the Cargin second string played hosts to their counterparts from Creggan in the Reserve Cup competition on Wednesday evening.
A fresh Southerly breeze which swept the arena favoured the visitors as the tie commenced with the home side first to trouble the scoreboard attendant as Tom Shivers raised white in the 3rd minute. The Toome men started with a spring in the step but despite well laid advancement in search of ‘major’ scores the Creggan net minder Peter Graham was not to be passed making a couple of good saves in the opening minutes as Tom Shivers and Paudie Mc Laughlin were both thwarted in their respective efforts to find the net.
The visitors did gain parity when Diarmuid Mulholland delivered a 30 metre free between the posts in the 10th minute but although the home side made quick reply via net minder Shea Laverty’s ‘45’back to back white flags raised in sequence at the other end saw the Creggan men enjoy a two point advantage via Oisin Mc Ateer and Paddy Cooey’s points delivered by the 20th minute to make it 0-04 to 0-02.
The home side returned fire again in the latter stages as Conan Johnston came forward to send Tom Shivers in for a point and when Diarmuid Quinn added another shortly before the break parity was restored at the short blast with the score tied at 0-04 apiece.
The home side having faced the southerly based breeze in the opening period enjoyed the favours of it in the second, but in the event it was to be the visitors who were first out of the blocks at the start of the second half.
As the home side dallied and the Kickham’s continue rule the roost in the central zone back to back gains in the middle made by Teddy Mc Keown and Sean Donnelly heralded scores by Diarmuid Mulholland despatching between the posts in the 21st and 24th minutes to ensure a 0-06 to 0-04 advantage.
Having struggled to regain the upper hand in the second period, despite wind assistance, the home side hit back and after back to back points delivered in style by Brendan Laverty in the 36th and another from Tom Shivers a couple of minutes later.
The home side with the favours of the elements, took advantage on the scoreboard and looked on course in the 47th minute as Conan Johnston’s advance and cross-field delivery opened the way for Enda Mc Grogan to fire to the corner of the Creggan net.
Cargin appeared to be on their way with a three point lead but I was the visitors who were quick to regain composure as Teddy Mc Keown’s fetch in the middle and strike towards the posts was diverted on its course and into the home side’s net to earn parity on the scoreboard, 1-06 apiece with the game clock ticking into the last ten minutes.
A Paddy Coey pointed free saw the visitors edge ahead in the 43rd minute but Tom Shivers replied for Cargin as he sent one over at the other end shortly afterwards.
With the breeze in their favour and replacements Marty Kane and Michael Clarke proving positive changes Shea Laverty delivered another ‘45’ between the Creggan posts to see the Cargin men get their noses ahead at 1-08 to 1-07.
Replacement Michael Clarke did come close to close the door on the visitors in the 58th minute as his left sided delivery following a Tom Shivers pass whizzed just the wrong side of the far post.
The end was in sight with the home side just ahead but Creggan were not to be outdone and after Teddy Mc Keown’s soccer style delivery went over the bar Brian Mc Ateer who had a good game throughout, followed suit to ensure victory to the Kickham’s crossing the winning line at 1-09 to 1-08.
Cargin
Shea Laverty (0-02), Jack Harney, Gerard Mc Corley, Donnach Mc Keever, Ben Mc Larnon, Brendan Laverty (0-01), Conan Johnston, Odhran Molloy, Charlie Mc Cann, Diarmuid Quinn (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan (1-00), Ronan Devlin, Ryan D O’Neill, Paudie Mc Loughlin, Tom Shivers(0-04)
Subs
Martin Kane
Michael Clarke
Cillian Scullion
Creggan
Peter Graham, Odhran Hughes, Dermot Mc Cann, Peadar Mc Guckian, Sean Mc Auley, Jake Mc Ateer, Fintan Close, Teddy Mc Keown (1-01)Sean Donnelly, Diarmuid Mulholland (0-01), Paddy Cooey (0-05), Oisiin Mc Ateer (0-01), Brian Mc Ateer (0-01), Hugh Mc Nulty, Conor Johnston
Referee S Elliot (Lamh Dhearg)
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