Under-18 A Football Championship
Creggan 2-6 Cargin 0-6
Two goals in the last quarter from Ronan McGrath and Tristan McCann proved the difference as Kickham’s Creggan gained the verdict and progress to the next round of the Uder-18 football championship at the expense of their near neighbours, Erin’s Own Cargin on the Staffordstown on Sunday.
On a well manicured sod but hindered by a strong northwest breeze which swept the ground, the opening period was to provide little employment for the umpires with Shea McCann opening the scoring for the home side with a pointed free in the 12th minute.
The Toome lads came close to equalising shortly after as Cillian Scullion was denied by the post but although they had several chances to open their account during the opening 30 minutes they were to remain scoreless for the remainder of the half.
The home side added to McCann’s opener with a couple more scores as Conor Johnston and Shea McCann added points apiece and at the half time break Creggan had earned a 0-03 to 0-00 advantage.
Having failed to gain a score for the duration of the first half Cargin were not long in getting it right in the second period with replacement Callum Gribbin quick to give employment to the umpires as he won the throw in and advanced to fire between the posts.
With Gribbin proving a thorn in the side of the Creggan lads, he was leading the way for the visitors and added a further three points to his early score to move his side 0-04 to 0-03 ahead by the end of the third quarter.
Kickham’s had been on the proverbial rack in the early stages of the second half but they regained the initiative and were back ahead by the 47th minute.
Sean Daly’s point despatched with precision from the left wing ensured parity and when Shea McCann fired a penalty between the posts in the 47th minute Creggan had regained an advantage they were not to forfeit again for the duration.
Gribbin continued to carry the Cargin challenge but the home side were back on top and not at all deflated by their penalty miss and they were rewarded for their persistence in the 51st minute as a well laid approach paved the way for Rian McGrath to finish to the corner of the net.
Creggan were 1-06 to 0-04 ahead and despite back to back points from Patrick O’ Neill in the 52nd and 54th minutes, the Kickham’s were not about to make further concession.
In the event the last score fell the way of the home side as Tristan McCann collected Conor Johnston’s cross field delivery before firing to the back of the net in the 59th minute to see his side pass the winning line, 2-06 to 0-06 ahead and claim a place in the semi final stages of the minor football championship.
Creggan: Conor Loughran, Darrach Mc Canna, Eoin Mc Larnon, Shea Mc Larnon, Fintan Kelly, Aointin Martin, Fiontan Close, Aidan Mc Elwee, Sean Daly (0-01), Conor Johnston (0-01), Tristan Mc Cann (1-01), Ronan Mc Guckian, Shea Mc Cann (0-03), Ronan Mc Grath (1-00)
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Sean Mc Peake, Patryck Matchk, Dara Mc Auley, Eoin Scullion, Niall Quinn, Jack Harney, Carl Mc Cann, Dara 0’ Boyle, Jack O’ Neill, Patrick O’ Neill (0-02), Cillian Scullion, Conleth Hamill, Fiontan Hardy.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
In the other Minor Football A quarter-finals played today, St. Paul’s defeated Glenravel after extra time, Aghagallon beat St. Enda’s, while St. Brigid’s defeated Dunloy
Minor A Football Championship Results
Creggan 2-6 Cargin 0-6
Naomh Eanna 0-11 Aghagallon 2-8
St. Paul’s 8-13 Glenravel 5-8 aet.
Dunloy 0-8 St. Brigid’s 1-9