Main pic – St Brigid’s Reuben Carleton who scored two 2-pointers in a man of the match performance
A C League Division One
Cargin 0-11 St Brigid’s 0-16
Reigning Division One League champions St Brigid’s Ended Cargin’s extended unbeaten run in the race for the 2025 title when they proved more than a match for the Toome men on their own patch in a positive performance which ended in a five point victory before a good attendance on Sunday.
The visitors certainly opened on the positive and after utter domination in the opening phase failed to show result on the scoreboard Dara Quinn’s 8th minute point sent the South Belfast men on their way to a positive return
The home side struggled to get their hands on the ball from the outset and after their hosts had ushered the butterflies from the proverbial stomach their show was on the road, and after Dara Quinn had opened their account Peter King and Matthew Downey followed suit and they had earned a three point advantage by the 12th minute and the home side looked unable to provide a reply.
Cargin for their part looked less than happy in their own sod and even after Sean O’ Neill opened their account with a fine point, following a Conan Johnston clearance, the home support were allowed to breathe a little easier.
The home side had looked more than uneasy on their own patch, a very rare observation that may have been oft times observed on the Toome sod and much out of character for Ronan Devlin’s charges
However the home side, though living off scraps, hit back with four quick points as Conan Johnston and Michael Mc Cann fired over points before
goalkeeper John Mc Nabb sent over a 2pointer to get their show on the road and leave only the minimum between them and their quick starting visitors
Paul Bradley, who was to prove a thorn in the home side’s defence for much of the hour got the St Brigid’s focus on the scoreboard back again adding a point from and when from Reuben Carleton stepped forward to send over a long range 2pointer the the gap was out to 0-08 to 0-05 for the city dwellers.
St Brigid’s refreshed by the interval break did not lose sight of the scoreboard as they strode into the arena again for the second period and the opening minutes saw them increase advantage on the scoreboard.
The ever accurate Paul Bradley was sent away on the left after Jack Dowling rose highest to fetch in the central zone to despatch between the posts and when he followed suit again after Dara Quinn delivered over the black spot to put his side six points ahead 0-11 to 0-05.
As the end of the third quarter approached, and the home side in the rare position of being in arrears at this stage of a game, they needed something in the way of inspiration if they were to get back into the game. Paul McCann, a man who has given his all for the cause strode forward, despite being just back from injury and lifted his team as he sent the first of two second half 2ponters between the posts.
Kevin Mc Shane added a fine score a few minutes later, and the wing man added another to reduce the deficit to three points, St Brigid’s holding a well-deserved 0-10 to 0-07 just at the three quarter mark.
The home side were able to see light at the end of the tunnel as the last quarter commenced having looked decidedly out of sorts for much of the game, but such brightness perceived was soon darkened again as the ever excellent Paul Bradley and Matthew Downed added points apiece and advantage was increased.
The home side which with the encouragement of net minder John Mc Nabb, Paul Mc Cann, and Sean O’Neill adding wind to their sails looked for the positive as the last quarter continued and indeed opportunity knocked in the 49th minute as Sean O’ Neill on trek forward was upended when close to goal and a penalty was the quick award,f although some had made suggestion that the leather had found way into the net prior to the whistle.
Big full-forward Pat Shivers was nominated for ‘spot duty’ but in the event his well struck shot was was well saved by the St Brigid’s netminder who got down well to turn the ball to the outside the post, though Shivers sent the resultant 45 between the sticks.
The clock was ticking onwards when John Mc Nabb sent the award directly between the posts and when he promptly delivered another from play his side faced deficit of four points as the end approached.
Paul Bradley added a further point to the St Brigid’s total with the equally excellent Paul Mc Cann replying in kind at the other end shortly afterwards, but the south Belfast med were never really threatened and the long blast of referee Kevin Parke’s whistle following to ensure victory for the Musgrave Parkac men on a final score of 0-16 to 0-11 as the end of the league draws near.
Referee K Parke (St Enda’s)
Teams
Erin’s Own Cargin
John Mc Nabb(0-03), Sean og O’ Neill, Kevin Mc Shane, Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston (0-01), Paul Mc Cann (0-03), Michael Mc Cann (0-03), Michael Mc Cann (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, Sean O’ Neill (0-02), David Johnston, James Laverty, Pat Shivers, Jamie Gribbin
Subs
Tomas Mc Cann
St Brigid’s
Conor Heery, Conor King, Finn Mc Kernan, Shay Campbell, Reuben Carlten (0-02) #, Shea Downey (0-01), Jack Dowling , Fergal Meenagh (0-01, Dara Quinn (0-02), Paul Bradley (0-08), Peter King (0-01), Matthew Downey, Enda Downey
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
https://myalbum.com/album/XPVdcaUJpsxbmZ/?invite=a324ac6e-0021-4bf0-9a3f-68fe51941f97