ACFL Division 1
St John’s 1-10 Cargin 2-14
Cargin extended their unbeaten run to nine when they overcame the challenge provided by St John’s in what was a close enough affair at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening.
The opening period saw the Johnnies stand tall in defiance after the Toome men nipped quickly out of the traps with an early goal from centre forward, Sean O’Neill who found the net after a defence splitting delivery from Tomas McCann.
O’Neill’s goal gave the visitors a lead that remained until the half time whistle signalled a break in proceedings but at that stage St. John’s had closed the gap to a single point.
James Laverty came close to fining the net for a second major but Matthew Leydon made a couple of good saves and the bye ball total increased with Cargin holding a slender lead 1-03 to 0-03 by the 23rd minute.
David Johnston, Pat Shivers, Tomas Mc Cann, and Callum Gribbin had raised white flags for the visitors but the home side closed the gap to the minimum in the last minute as Conor McGlade despatched a long range two pointer between the posts
Cargin started the second half with the breeze at their backs and extended their lead with early points from Pat Shivers and went on to edge the second half exchanges.
Tomas McCann continuing to provide problems as he fired between the posts and when Conan Johnston came forward from his defensive role to convert a long range 2 pointer, the visitors had extended their advantage to 1-09 to 0-07.
Cargin were in charge and a good move involving net minder, John McNabb and Sean O’ Neill in the build-up saw Jamie Gribbin fire to the net in the 42nd minute.
St. John’s replied and Conal Mc Glade fired over and the impressive Ryan Mc Nulty followed suit as the home side fought to stay in touch with the league leaders.
Ryan McNulty and central defender Adrian Oliver were working overtime and they closed the gap further in the 52nd minute as Conor Hand’s approach from the right preceded a well taken major by the county man and it looked like the home side were on the road to recovery.
Just five points separated the sides at this stage with the visitors leading 2-11 to 1-09 with time still remaining on the match clock but this was as close as the Coirrigan park side got.
Cargin were alive to the threat and responded positively with points from the hard grafting David Johnston and James Laverty to set the visitors back on course.
Patrick McBride approached from the right hand side to deliver between the posts but the visitors were quick to reply as replacement Tom Shivers raised a late white flag to see the Toome men safely over the winning line to remain unbeaten.
St Johns: Matthew Leyden, Ross Hannigan, Diarmuid Brecknell, Conor Mc Evoy, Adrian Oliver, Oran Quinn, Adrian Oliver, Ryan Mc Nulty (0-02, Enda Mc Gurk, Stephen Tierney, Patrick Mc Bride (0-01),Conor Hand (1-02), Conhuir Adams, Andy Mc Gowan, Conor Mc Glade (0-06)
Subs
Patrick Nugent
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston (0-02)*, Callum Gribbin (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, Pat Shivers(0-02), David Johnston (0-02), Sean O’Neil (1-00), John Carron), Tomas Mc Cann (0-04), James Laverty (0-02), Jamie Gribbin (1-01)
Subs
Tom Shivers (0-01)
Jack Harney
Ben Mc Larnon
Paul Mc Cann
Jack O’ Neill
Referee: D Mc Keown (St Galls)