Senior Football Championship (Group 2)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-12 Tir nanOg 1-06
It is certainly a case of onwards and upwards as the reigning senior champions Erin’s Own Cargin gained the verdict in what was essentially a ‘dead rubber’ with qualification from group two already secured when they recorded a twelve win victory over Tir na nOg at Dunsilly on Friday evening.
The final scoreline was a little unkind to the Whitehill side at conclusion after the Randalstown men had remained close on Cargin’s heels at the end of a second period where they remained in touch despite the concession of a couple of goals.
Cargin gained advantage in the early stages with goals apiece from the McCann brothers with Michael raising the first green flag in the 18th minute and his sibling Tomas despatching a spot kick into the corner of the net a few minutes later.
As the Toome men struggled to impose superiority on proceedings their opponents kept in touch and a goal in the 29th from centre back, Barry Mc Cormick aided by a defence splitting Aaron Mc Neilly delivery let the champions know the Ogs were not about to slip quietly away.
Little had separated the sides up until the last minute and as Cargin struggled to get it together in the early exchanges, Tir na nOg moved into a 0-02 to 0-01 lead with points from Daryl Fagan and Emmet Murray in answer to an opening point from Tom Shivers.
The Toome men were not long in arrears with Michael Mc Cann finding the net at the end of the first quarter and following a Pat Shivers point, Tomas Mc Cann was impeded and despatched the ‘spot Kick’ award to the top corner of the net.
Paul McCann followed with a point as they began to take control but it was Tir na nOg who were to finish on the offensive and Aaron Mc Neilly’s precision cross field delivery opened the way for centre back Barry Mc Cormick to blast to the back of the net just ahead of the short whistle.
Tir na nOg looked for a quick getaway in the second half but it was the Toome men who were first out of the start traps as corner back Conan Johnston added a point to the Cagin total.
Pat Shivers followed with another and after Aaron Mc Neilly returned fire with a similar score at the other end another Jamie Gribbin delivery paved the way for Conhuir Johnston to raise a further white flag and Cargin had moved into a 2-06 0 1-05 lead entering the last quarter.
Tir na nOg had remained in touch up to this point but Mc Neilly’s point would be their final score as the reigning champions finished strongly with Tomas Mc Cann and Tom Shivers adding points before a splendid delivery from Tom Shivers sent Gerard McCann away to add a superb goal.
Conhuir Johnston came close to following suit shortly after with his shot coming back of the post but he did have the last say on the scoring stakes, raising white in the last minute to follow a 59th Tom Shivers point to see the Toome men cross the winning line with their unbeaten run intact.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Justin Crozier, Kevin Mc Shane, Conan Johnston (0-01), James Laverty, Ronan Gribbin, Sean og O’Neill, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Pat Shivers (0-03), David Johnston, Tomas Mc Cann (1-02), Conhuir Johnston (0-02), Jamie Gribbin, Michael Mc Cann (1-00), Tom Shivers (0-04)
Subs
Gerard Mc Cann (1-00)
Gerard Mc Corley
Ronan Devlin
Jack Harney
Kevin O’Boyle
Tir na nOg: S P Mc Atamney, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ciaran Mc Creelish, Ryan Crilly, Paul Clarke, Barry Mc Cormick (1-00), Ciaran O’Neill, Christy Sheerin, Aaron Mc Neilly ((0-01), Eamon og Mc Allister (0-01), Josh Higgins, Emmet Murray, Daryl Fagan (0-03), Aiden Toland
Subs: Sean Duffin
Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s)
FOPR PHOTO ALBUM CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW