ACFL Division 1
Kickham’s Creggan 0-16 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-13
Pat Shivers kicked 0-8 on the night and placed Sean O’Neill for a goal as Cargin defeated neighbours, Creggan to remain unbeaten after a fiercely contested division 1 clash on the Staffordstown Road on Wednesday night.
The home side led by 0-09 to 1-05 at the end the opening period, aided by the strong northerly breeze but given the strength of that breeze, the question was, would it be enough?
Creggan nipped smartly out of the start traps and had earned a two point advantage by the 10th minute through Conor Johnston and Matthew Rogers but the visitors soon found their feet and took the lead by the end of the first quarter thanks to a David Johnston goal.
Pat Shivers, who had an excellent game, got the Toome men off the mark with a 7th minute point but Creggan were quick to reply as the busy Matthew Rogers and Ethan Carey Small raised further whites apiece to earn a three point lead 0-04 to 0-01 after 10th minutes
Creggan utilised the strength of the breeze to their advantage but it took a smart save from net minder Oisin Kerr to deny Sean O’ Neill a goal as the visitors countered.
It was Cargin keeper, John McNabb who was the busier of the two during the opening half however as he came to his side’s rescue with a number of excellent stops.
The pick of these was when he went full length to deny Conor Johnston from close range after a smart build-up as Creggan led 0-09 to 1-05 at the end of the first period.
Cargin had the benefit of the breeze in the second half and the introduction of minor star Jack O’ Neill was to prove a positive move.
In the event the wind had calmed a little and it was the home side who were to increase their lead with an early point.
The Toome men were quick to reply however and a superb end to end approach involving Michael McCann saw Pat Shivers open the way for Sean O’ Neill to fire to the net and Cargin were ahead for the second time.
The visitors continued to press and added to their lead with Pat Shivers in sparkling form and the big full forward continued to add to his personal total with a number of excellent scores.
Creggan, with Conor McCann leading by example fought hard but Jamie Gribbin and Pat Shivers added points for the visitors before Matthew Rogers fired between the posts at the other end and the full forward was soon back to add another to bring the sides level.
Cargin called Eunan Quinn into action just as a Shea McCann point secured the lead again for the Kickham’s , but that lead was short lived as a long range Jamie Gribbin ‘two pointer’ ensured his side reclaimed advantage with the game clock at 55 minutes.
TheKickham’s were quickly to post reply via a Conor Small point but the visitors were taking the game to the opposition with Jack O’Neill impressing, and Pat Shivers added a trio of points.
Creggan pressed hard during the closing stages and Mattherw Rodgers pointed but they could find no way through a resolute Cargin defence with the visitors always dangerous on the break.
John McNabb, who was imperious throughout made another couple of saves in the latter stages to deny the hosts as the goal they needed just wouldn’t come.
The last minutes proved lively in the extreme and a Conor Small point saw them back on terms but it was the visitors who finished on top and Pat Shivers pointed a 30 metre free and added a couple from play to see his side cross the winning line points secured.
Shivers was the Cargin hero with those late three points and proved a real handful over the hour as the Erin’s own secured the points to move four clear of All Saints at the top of the table and it’s difficult to see anyone catch them in the race for the title.
Creggan: Oisin Kerr, Aiden Maguire, Liam Mc Lernon, Fintan Close, Ethan Carey Small (0-01, Sam Maguire, Seamus Mc Cann (0-03), Keelan Mc Cann, Conor Mc Cann, Jack Mc Ateer (0-01), Keelan Small, Ruairi Mc Cann (0-02), Conor Johnston (0-01), Matthew Rogers (0-06), Conor O’ Caloite (0-02)
Subs: Shea McCann,Dominic Mc Ateer,Diarmuid Mulholland
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Callum Gribbin, Conan Johnston, Paul Mc Cann, Michael Mc Cann, Gerard Mc Cann, Tom Shivers (0-02), Sean O’Neill (1-00), David Johnston (1-00), Jamie Gribbin (1 2*). Pat Shivers (0-08), James Laverty
Subs:Jack O’ Neill,Eunan Quinn
Referee: Kevin Park (St Enda’s)
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