SFC Group 4
Creggan 1-15 St. Gall’s 1-4
Kickham’s Creggan qualified for the knockout stages of the Senior Football Championship with a comprehensive win over St. Gall’s in their final Group 4 game at Lamh Dhearg on Saturday afternoon.
Despite falling behind to a Brendan Bradley goal in the 5th minute the Staffordstown Road side never looked like losing this one and by half time they were in control when they led by five, thanks to a goal from Conor McCann.
The South West side would push on to outscore the Milltown side 0-8 to 0-2 during the second half to run out winners by 11 points and must now wait for the result of Sunday’s game between St. Brigid’s and Aghagallon to see whether they finish first or second in the group.
Jimmy McCann, who was to have a major influence on the final result, pointed Creggan ahead in the 4th minute but the visitors were caught with an astute pass over the top as Niall O’Neill placed Bradley who finished to the net from close range with keeper, Oisin Kerr stranded.
Jimmy McCann (free), Marty Johnston and Ruairi McCann replied with points to edge the visitors back in front by the 15th minute and when Conor McCann finished to the net from close range they were in control.
Conor McCann added a point as Creggan’s measured possession football started to create gaps in the St. Gall’s defence and the Milltown side were dealt a blow when Conaill Murray was forced to retire injured to be replaced by Eoghan McCurdy.
The Belfast side were finding it hard to penetrate a well organised Kickham’s defence where Ricky and Marty Johnston were superb but Niall Burns finally raised St. Gall’s second flag of the evening when he pointed a 25th minute free.
Niall O’Neill fisted over a second before being replaced by Callum Walsh but it was Creggan who finished on the front foot as Ruairi McCann and Ricky Johnston kicked late points to see them head to the dressing rooms leading 1-7 to 1-2.
St. Gall’s were first off the mark in the second half with Niall Burns converting another free to briefly cut the gap to four but Ruairi McCann converted a 50 meter free of the ground to immediately restore the Kickham’s five point advantage.
It was Burns who was again on target with his and his side’s second point in the 10th minute from another converted free but it would be his side’s final score of the evening as Creggan began to turn the screw.
Tiarnan McAteer raced clear for an excellent point and Paddy McAuley added another and the big mid-fielder might well have had a goal with the St. Gall’s defence at sixes and sevens.
Creggan continued to press home their advantage with Jimmy McCann converting three frees in quick succession to move them nine in front with 8 minutes remaining.
The Kickham’s continued to monopolise possession as they ran down the clock with Sean Duffin fisting over after a strong run and Tiarnan McLarnon marking his introduction for Conor Small with the game’s final point.
There’s sure to be a bigger than normal Creggan representation at Corrigan on Sunday for the final game in the group. A five point win for Aghagallon over group leaders St. Brigid’s would see the Musgrave Park side eliminated and St. Mary’s join Creggan in the knock out stages.
A win for St. Brigid’s would mean they finish top of the group unbeaten with Creggan joining them in second place in the play-offs.
Creggan: 1 Oisin Kerr, 2 Conor McCann, 3 Ricky Johnston 4 Aidan Maguire, 5 Ethan Carey Small, 6 Marty Johnston, 7 Jimmy McCann, 8 Kealan McCann, 9 Paddy McAuley, 10 Sean Duffin, 11 Ruairi McCann, 12 Tiarnan McAteer, 13 Joe McAteer, 14 Conor McCann, 19 Conor Small, 25 Odhran Hampsey.
Subs: 17 Tiarnan McLarnon, for Conor Small
St. Gall’s: 1 Chris Kerr, 2 Marcus Donnelly, 3 Tiarnan Keenan, 4 Conaill Murray, 5 John McCaffery, 6 Conall McGirr, 7 Conall McCabe, 8 Aodhan Gallagher, 9 Conor Ryan, 10 Niall Burns, 11 Brendan Bradley, 12 Michael Hopkins, 13 Michael Pollock, 14 Daniel Quinn, 15 Niall O’Neill,
Subs: 17 Eoghan McCurdy for Conaill Murray, Callum Walsh for Niall O’Neill, Barra McCaffery for Brendan Bradley, Con Doherty for Michael Hopkins
Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)