ACFL Division 1
Cargin 2-13 Dunloy 1-10
A superb display of aerial fielding by mid-fielder Gerard McCann proved central to the outcome as Cargin retained their unbeaten run and top spot in the ratings when they defeated Dunloy in Toome on Saturday evening.
Having moved through their league fixtures without dropping a point, Cargin started as favourites to extend their unbeaten run further when Cuchullian’s visited.
The visitors were to give as good as they got but the game was marred with an accident in the opening minutes as a clash of heads involving the home side’s Benen Kelly and Dunloy’s Anton McGrath saw them both hospitalised.
The game had to be halted for 8 minutes to allow treatment for the stricken players as the medic on site attended their respective head injuries before they were taken to hospital.
The home side had nipped into an early 0-03 to 0-02 lead at this point with Jamie Gribbin raising a couple of white flags and Tomas McCann adding another and Anton McGrath and Deaglan Smith replying with points for the visitors.
Cargin then lost John Carron who had to leave the game with another injury, this time to the nose which needed hospital attention.
After the resumption Cargin gained control in the central zone with Gerard Mc Cann giving an exhibition of high fielding and Michael Mc Cann proving an able partner but it was the visitors who were to add to their tally quickly as Deaglan Smith sent a free between the posts.
The Cargin net minder John McCarron split the posts at the other end following a foul on replacement David Johnston and Gerard McCann, Tomas McCann, and Callum Gribbin combined to send Jamie Gribbin in for back to back points.
Cargin continued to call the shots and John McNabb’s kick out sent them on the attack once more and when Sean Og O’Neill was fouled inside the penalty area, Tomas Mc Cann despatched the awarded penalty kick to the corner of the net.
Dunloy were quick to return fire and Tomas McFerran was brought down inside the area with Karl Fitzpatrick keeping his cool to send his spot kick to the back of the net.
The home side had the last say in the closing stages of the extended period with Sean O’Neill denied by the Dunloy net minder who tipped his goal bound delivery over the bar after a slick 1-2 involving Callum Gribbin and James Laverty.
Half Time: Cargin 1-07 Dunloy 1-05
Cargin started the second half in control and points from Sean Og O’ Neill, Callum Gribbin and Michael Mc Cann saw them extend their lead to 1-10 to 1-05.
Tomas Mc Cann’s was denied by the woodwork in the 43d minute but he combined with Jamie Gribbin a few minutes later to send Callum Gribbin away to despatch to the net and the home side looked in control.
Cargin looked to be in for another major going into the last quarter when Conan Johnston and Sean Og Quinn, combined to send full forward James Laverty in on target but the Dunloy net-minder Sean Doherty pushed his effort over the bar.
At this stage it looked as good as over but defensive mistakes gave Dunloy opportunities and Deaglan Smith punished these errors as he added five points.
The home side regained their composure in the closing minutes as Tomas Mc Cann bagged another couple of points to see his side home 2-13 to 1-10 winners on a day when they were not at their best.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-01), Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston, Callum Gribbin (1-01), Michael Mc Cann (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron (0-01), Sean O’ Neill (0-02), Paul Mc Cann, Tomas Mc Cann (1-04), James Laverty (0-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-03)
Subs
David Johnston
Eunan Quinn
Pat Shivers
Tom Shivers
Dunloy: Sean Doherty, Padraig Martin, Conor Kinsella, Cahir Mc Closkey, Callum Scullion, Anton Mc Grath, Sean-Martin Mc Shane, Padraig Mc Gillian, Deaglan Smith (0-07) Ryan Mc Farlane,Thomas Mc Ferran, Charlie Cunning, Karl Fitzpatrick (1-00), Kevin Mc Quillan (0-01) Luke Mc Ferran.
Referee: (Mark O’ Neill (Armoy)