O’ Cahan Cup (Final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 3-10 Casement’s Portglenone 0-08
The Erin’s Own Club rooms at Toome will provide residence for the O’Cahan Cup for the next year as Cargin proved too strong for Casement’s Portglenone in the final before a good crowd at the home of St Mary’s Ahoghill Sunday evening.
The trophy has remained in storage for a few years with the South West division opting to reinstate their competition again this term and in the event it proved a good decision with the final drawing a big attendance to Cloney.
Both the contestants have secured the trophy over the years and both occupy residence in the top grade with a close affair expected as they lined out in opposition on Sunday evening.
The reigning county champions Cargin started as favourites but as St Comgall’s based whistler Paul Burns signalled start it was the Casement’s lads who were to nip faster out of the traps but Cargin were soon to gain in stride.
Ronan Kelly and Aidan Mc Aleese raised white flags apiece in the opening minutes but the Casement’s flattered to deceive as Erin’s Own took control.
The Bann-siders attempted to keep the score board attendant in work but they missed several opportunities to increase their tally and it was the opposition who opened account when the Gribbin brothers combined as Jamies delivery opened the way for sibling Callum to split the posts.
Casement’s, despite having their share of possession continued to find the target elusive as the first period continued as the Toome men proved strong in defence with Conan Johnston and Ben McLarnon influential at the back and it was a clearance by the latter that sent Pat Shivers on his way to raise white and square matters.
Cargin were beginning to dominate at mid- field as the game progressed with Jamie Gribbin and Pat Shivers adding points apiece before net minder John Mc Nabb vacated his domain for a term to grab back to back points to earn a 0-06 to 0-02 advantage.
Casement’s had lost their way and their Toome based rivals continued to threaten with the Gribbin brothers and the Shivers boys causing more and more problems for their opponents.
Pat Shivers raised a further white flag in the 26th minute after his brother Tom played a role and when Jamie Gribbin added another it ensured a 0-08 to 0-02 lead for the Toome men at the end of the first period.
The second half started with the residence of the O’Cahan cup still to be resolved but Cargin were soon to gain in impetus as a combination of the Shivers brothers, Tom and Pat paved the way for Benen Kelly to find the net with an excellent finish.
Big full forward Aiden Mc Aleese always posted threat to the Cargin defence when he split the posts twice in succession but Erin’s Own were quick to return fire as the hard grafting Jamie Gribbin eluded a couple of stiff challenges to split the posts in the 42nd minute.
Casements were doing all in their power to get their own game going but their opponents were soon to deliver a decisive blow as a John McNabb delivery found Benen Kelly who sent Jamie Gribbin away to find the net.
Gribbin’s goal moved the Toome side 2-10 to 0-05 ahead and it was as good as over at this stage as both sides emptied their benches.
Casement’s fought to the end but with limited success and another pointed free by Aiden Mc Aleese was cancelled out by one at the other end by Pat Shivers.
The big full forward, who was excellent over the hour was then sent on his way after a slick combination between Michael Mc Cann and Sean Og O’ Neill to bury the leather in the back of net and that was that with the silverware on its way to Toome.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-02), Conan Johnston, Kevin O’ Boyle, Sean og Quinn, Benen Kelly (1-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Sean og O’ Neill, Michael Mc Cann, Tom Shivers (0-01) , Jamie Gribbin (1-02), John Carron, Callum Gribbin (0-01),
Ben Mc Larnon, Pat Shivers (1-03), David Johnston
Subs
James Laverty
Tomas Mc Cann
Tomas Mc Cann
Jack O’ Neill
Charlie Mc Larnon
P J Quinn
Casement’s: Kevin Mullan, Ronan Delargy, Kevin O’ Kane, Patrick Graffin, Ryan Convery, Conor Mc Ghee (0-01), Stephen Kelly, Niall Delargy, Fergal O’ Kane, Oisin Doherty, Ronan Kelly (0-02), Aodhan Mc Aleese (0-05), Ciaran Mc Aleese.
Subs: Ryan McKeever, Sean Byrne, Paddy Graffin
Referee: Paul Burns (St Comgall’s)
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