ACFL Division 1
Erin’s Own Cargin 4-19 St Galls 3-12
A towering performance from mid-fielder Odhran Molloy assisted by the scoring power of John McNabb ensured victory for Cargin to draw within a point of their opposition St Gall’s who arrived with a three point advantage over their hosts on Friday evening.
Senior keeper McNabb excelled in his full-forward birth for Cargin’s second string and contributed a personal haul of 2-12 over the hour, including four two pointers.
St Gall’s were quick into their stride but the visitors missed early opportunities and it was Cargin mid fielder Odhran Molloy who opened their account with a 3rd minute point but the visitors were soon to nip ahead as Liam Lynn raised white before Paddy Murray despatched a 30 metre free on the same path.
A lively opening as corner forward Liam Lynn quickly added a goal but the home side were quick to reply as Paul McCann and Odhran Molloy opened the way for the lively P J Quinn to reply in kind at the other end.
The visitors aided by a lively easterly breeze, took advantage of the elements as Daniel Murray and Patrick Og Murray despatched 55 metre frees between the posts, and when the latter added a goal to open up a healthy lead the Milltown Blues looked on their way at the end of the opening quarter.
John McNabb sent a ‘45’ metre free between the posts to reduce the deficit and when he followed with a 60 metre ‘two pointer’ from an Enda McGrogan pass the deficit was reduced to a single score.
The visitors finished the half on top and late points from Jarlath Mervyn and Patrick Og Murray ensured a 2-09 to 2-06 lead at the short whistle.
The Toome men were to enjoy the favours of the breeze in the second half and they were quickly in to their stride as an Odhran Molloy fetch opened the way for Diarmuid Quinn to fire over the bar with a John McNabb ’45’ despatched between the posts providing addition a minute later.
A Paddy Murray point saw the visitors open their second half account but the home side were quick to reply with Odhran Molloy dominating in the central zone and a John Mc Nabb ‘two’ pointer saw the Toome men take the lead.
McNabb added another shortly after Diarmuid Quinn had added a point and the home side had gone three points ahead 2-13 to 2-11.
Daniel McCann announced his presence with a point but the visitors were quick to make reply and a Patrick Murray goal brought them back on level terms before an Odhran Molloy fetch and point from the resultant kick out ensured his side had regained the lead.
Cargin dominated the closing stages and Diarmuid Quinn added a goal and McNabb followed with a further ‘2’ pointer before Molloy opened the way for a goal for the rampant Mc Nabb and the home side had gained a 4-17 to 3-12 advantage as the long blast approached.
Odhran Molloy had the last say on matters, grabbing back to back points in the last minutes to see his side breast the winning line at 4-19 to 3-12 to get within a point of the division one leaders.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Jack Harney, Gerard Mc Corley, Sean og Quinn, Ben Mc Larnon, Marty Kane, Ronan Devlin, Darren Mc Daid (0-01), Odhran Molloy (0-03), PJ Quinn(1-01), Paul Mc Cann, Cian Scullion, Diarmuid Quinn (1-02), John Mc Nabb( 2-12), Enda McGrogan
Subs
Daniel McCann (0-01)
Michael Laverty
Tom McCann
St Galls: Niall McCurdy, Oisin O’Callaghan, Tiarnan Keenan, Christopher Hale, Eathan Mc Cabe, Gareth Adams, Mark Kelly, Jarleth Mervyn, Michael Hopkins(0-02),Conall Murray, Liam Lynn, Mark Kelly, Nial Fallon (Paddy Murray (1-04)Sean Burke (0-02)
Referee: John Hasson (All Saint’s)