ACFL Division 1
Aghagallon 1-09 Cargin 1-13
Photographs: Paedar McConville
A Benen Kelly major in the 37th minute of a fully contested game allowed Cargin to gain a full return of the points to remain unbeaten in Division One in the bright late evening sunshine on Wednesday evening.
Both the contestants gave their all in the cause throughout with Cargin shading the exchanges in the central zone’ where Michael and Gerard McCann proved dominant.
The visitors got on top in the later stages of the first period, raising four white flags in a row through Tomas McCann, his sibling Michael, Pat Shivers and Jamie Gribbin but the home side were soon to provide reply
Aghagallon aided by the impressive Stephen Devlin and the hard grafting Padraig Gowdy throughout and the accuracy of Padraig Brannigan, who added a ‘two pointer’ and three white flags, and his late point assured the home side parity on the scoreboard 1-07 to 0-10 at the break.
It was Odhran Rooney who steered the leather to the net in the latter stages of what had been a fiercely fought opening period with nothing between the sides at the end of the first thirty minutes as the short blast offered a welcome break in the sunshine.
The second half started as the first had ended with intensity and the visitors were to lose the services of their mid fielder Gerard McCann through a black card in the opening minutes with a ten minute spell on the sideline awaiting.
In the event the home side were to gain advantage on the scoreboard shortly after as Padraig Brannigan despatched between the posts but the Toome men were quick to make reply as Tomas McCann’s efforts opened the way for Benen Kelly to send to the back of the net and gain the visitors advantage again at 1-10 to 1-08.
The Toome side were back in control in the central zone as Kevin McShane, and John Carron took command and Tomas Mc Cann (2), and Pat Shivers added points to move them 1-12 to 1-08 ahead by the end of the third quarter.
The visitors were back to full strength as Gerard McCann left the sin bin, time served and a further Tomas McCann point increased advantage.
Aghagallon fought to get back into contention with the strong running Padraig Gowdy coming forward with menace but the Cargin rear guard stood tall with Kevin McShane, James Laverty and Sean Og Quinn to the fore.
A turn over and clearance by the latter to Pat Shivers opened the way for Tomas McCann to convert a free between the posts to move Erin’s Own five ahead and they looked home and hosed.
The home side fought hard to get back into contention in the latter stages with Odhran Rooney sending over a late point but the league leaders stood strong to run out 1-13 to 1-09 winners and maintain their place at the top of the table.
Aghagallon: Gabhain Blaine, Kieran Hamill, Aidan Mulholland, Aidan Shanks, Stephen Devlin, Ciaran Hamill(0-01), Jamie Lamont, Padraig Brannigan (0-05), Padraig Gowdy (0-01), Ruairi Mc Shane, Enda Mc Cartan, Aaron Doherty, Sean McCavigan, Odhran Rooney (1-02),Michael Mc Stravick
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean Og Quinn, James Laverty, Hugh O’ Donnell, Callum Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Benen Kelly (1-00), Michael Mc Cann (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Tom Shivers(0-01), John Carron, Tomas Mc Cann (0-04), Pat Shivers (0-05), Jamie Gribbin (0-02)
Referee: B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)
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