Reserve Football Cup semi-final
All Saints 1-9 Creggan 3-14
A well worked goal from Aidan McKeown in the 8th minute and a second from Paddy Coey, a minute later paved the way for a convincing Kickham’s Creggan victory over All Saints in the Reserve Cup semi-final at Quinn Park on Wednesday night.
The visitors had it more or less wrapped up at the half way stage when they led 2-9 to 0-3 and while the Ballymena men kicked five of the first six points of the second half they never looked like closing the gap on a well organised Creggan side.
Tiarnan McLarnon gave the visitors the lead with a point in the second half with Ciaran Campbell replying for the home side to level matters in the 4th minute.
The home side defended deep and invited the opposition on and the Staffordstown Road side didn’t need a second invitation as Paddy Coey and Diarmuid Mulholland moved them two ahead before Aidan McKeown struck with the game’s opening goal in the 8th minute.
His goal came after a good build up with several players involved in the build-up and the big full-forward made no mistake after being placed in the clear.
Tiarnan McLarnon followed with a point before Paddy Coey climbed to fist the ball past Conor Brennan in the All Saints goal to move his side 2-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 10th minute.
Darach Bradley from a free and Matty Downey replied with points for the home side but it brought another response from the Kickham’s with Sam Maguire, Fintan Close, two from Paddy Coey and another from Conor Johnston moving Creggan 12 ahead as Ryan O’Reilly sounded his half time whistle.
The Ballymena side had been out thought and out fought during the opening thirty minutes and it looked like getting worse when Conor Johnston moved the visitors further ahead on the restart but it finally brought a response from the home side.
Matty Downey, who was excellent throughout, replied with their fourth point of the evening and followed with another before Sean McVeigh, Ciaran Campbell and Archie McGreevey made it five on the bounce as the home side enjoyed a wee bit of success for the first time.
Indeed they looked to be in for a goal as they continued to press but Mark Dougan in the Creggan goals got out ahead of Harry Connon to an inviting cross to avert the danger.
Creggan came back with points from Hugh McNulty and a great effort from Fintan Cloe from out near the right touchline but the home side were enjoying their best period in the game.
They responded as Darach Bradley pointed and when Ciaran Campbell fired home a superb goal with five minutes remaining the gap was back to seven.
As they pushed forward in search of further scores they were turned over as keeper Conor Brennan moved up field in support of his attack and in a swift counter Tristan McCann sent his shot to an empty net to put the game to bed.
Paddy Coey, who had been excellent on the ‘40’ for the visitors concluded the scoring as he fisted over the game’s final point and it will be Kickham’s Creggan who now go forward to face St. Gall’s in the decider.
All Saints: 1 Conor Brennan, 2 Archie McGreevey, 4 Oliver O’Rawe, 5 Rian Tom, 6 Conall Killough, 7 Charlie Metrustry, 8 Sean McVeigh, 9 Peter McNicholl, 10 Matthew Downey, 11 Ciaran Campbell, 12 Harry Connon, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Peter McReynolds, 15 Joseph Rocks, 19 James Gillan.
Subs: Paul O’Boyle, Ciaran McQuillan
Kickham’s: Mark Dougan, 2 Odhran Hampsey, 3 Dermot McCann, 4 Sean McAuley, 5 Sam Maguire, 6 Jake McAteer, 7 Fintan Close, 8 Hugh McNulty, 9 Sean Donnelly, 10 Diarmuid Mulholland, 11 Paddy Coey, 12 Tiarnan McLarnon, 13 Oisin McAteer, 14 Aidan McKeown, 15 Conor Johnston
Subs: Tristan McCann, Niall McAuley, Brian McAteer
Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)
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