ACFL Division 1
Creggan 3-15 St. John’s 2-9
Kickham’s Creggan kept in touch with leaders Cargin following this win over visitors, St. John’s in Creggan on Saturday evening.
They certainly didn’t get it all their own way against a St. John’s side in the process of rebuilding and without their county players, Conor Hand and Paddy McBride.
In an entertaining game of football where Sam Maguire was pulling the strings in the home defence and Matthew Rodger’s proving a willing target in attack the home side led by a point at half time despite playing against the wind in the first half.
Creggan kicked 3 points in a row from Kevin Small, Ruairi McCann and Conor Johnston as the home side started well but in typical St John’s fashion they came back with a goal from Andy McGowan in the 17th minute and a point from Conchur Adams to briefly take the lead.
A fine goal from Shea McCann, five minutes later when he climbed to palm home a Conor Johnston delivery, restored Kickham’s advantage only for the Johnnies to come back with a super 2 pointer from the dangerous Conchur Adams and another point from Odhran McAuley.
Creggan finished on top and Jamie McCann kicked the last 2 points of the first half to give his side a 1 point lead at half time and at this stage it looked anybody’s game.
HT: Kickhams 1-05 to St John’s 1-04.
With the wind behind them Creggan made a quick start to the second half and Kevin Small pointed inside 30 seconds but Conchur Adams responded for St John’s to close the gap to the minimum once more.
The game was beginning to swing decisively in favour of the Kickham’s however and they hit a purple patch, scoring 1-06 without reply to take control. Substitute Conor Small got the ball rolling as he hit a lovely 2 pointer and points from Ethan Carey-Small and Jamie McCann put them in the driving seat with Mathew Rodger’s weighing in with a goal and 2 points.
St. John’s were still battling hard for every ball and Ryan Mc Nulty and Conchur Adams responded with points but the momentum was now with the home side.
The hard working Fintan Close got his rewards by scoring 2 points either side of a Conor Johnston point to move the home side further ahead.
The Corrigan Park side kept going and were rewarded with a goal of their own in the 26th minute when Conall Quinn finished from close range after the Creggan defence failed to deal with a high delivery.
It would be as close as the visitors got however as Creggan broke from defence and Mathew Rodger’s scored his second of the night with Conall Quinn replying with a late consolation point for St. John’s.
This win moves Creggan onto 16 points from 10 starts, level with All Saints Ballymena and 4 behind unbeaten Cargin who they entertain on Wednesday the 4th June.
They had fine performers on the evening in Sam Maguire, Jamie McCann, Conor McCann, Kevin Small, Ruairi McCann, Matthew Rodgers and Shea McCann.
St. John’s have 5 points from their 10 starts to date and sit just above the relegation zone but, despite this defeat look to be improving week by week and should have enough to climb up the table.
Ross Hannigan, Padraig Nugent, Ryan McNulty, Enda McGurk, Conchur Adams and Conall Quinn were their best performers on the night.
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