ACFL DIVISION 1
Cargin 5-11 St. Gall’s 1-15
A superb individual performance and a personal haul of 2-09 from Sean O’ Neill in a ‘man of the match’ performance saw Cargin collect the points to ensure top spot in the Division One table with a win over St Gall’s before a good attendance in Toome on Saturday evening.
It was the home side who were much the faster out of the start traps and by the 10th minute they had moved into an early lead.
Jack Harney fired to the net after only a couple of minutes and Jamie Gribbin raised white before a cute PJ Quinn delivery sent corner back Gerard McCorley in for their second goal.
Conditions required a ‘water break’ and after the stoppage the visitors employed the score board attendant as Kirstan Walsh raised a couple of white flags with Niall Faloon adding another.
Sean O’ Neill replied for the home side but the visitors responded as Brendan Bradley and Donal Quinn fired over at the other end.
Sean O’ Neill was sent in to raise white following a clearance at the other end by Kevin McShane and with the score at 2-03 to 0-04 in favour of the Toome men, Nial Faloon and Brendan Bradley conspired to reduce the deficit with back to back points.
The home side were reduced in number in the latter stages of the opening period when net minder John McNabb was shown red with Benen Kelly taking up the role between the sticks in which the wing half band was to excel.
The visitors now with a man advantage rolled up their proverbial sleeves in the latter minutes of the half with Brendan Bradley (0-03), Gerard O’ Neill (with a two pointer) reducing the deficit before Cargin full back Kevin McShane moved forward to grab a superb late goal to leave the home side 3-06 to 0-10 ahead at the break.
Sean O’ Neill added to Cargin’s advantage with an early second half point and replacement net minder Benen Kelly came forward to send the same player away to add two more.
Cargin were dominant at this stage with the excellent O’ Neill continuing to lead the way as he added a couple of points before following with a major.
A superb clearance from Benen Kelly opened the way for Jamie Gribbin to send O’Neill through and the home side looked in charge but the visitors were quick to provide an answer.
Gerard O’Neill replied with a two pointer with Niall Fallon adding a point. Sean O’ Neill replied at the other end before a Jamie Gribbin cross opened the way for full back McShane to despatch a superb goal to the net and the Toome men were 3-06 to 0-10 at half time
Cargin opened the second half on the offensive and the impressive Sean O’ Neill added back to back points and then Benen Kelly and Jamie Gribbin combined to send Sean O’ Neill away for his second major and Cargin were 4-08 to 0-10 ahead and looking good.
St Gall’s were not about to throw in the towel and they were quick to reply and full forward Brendan Bradley finished a good move as he fired past Kelly in the Cargin goals.
Jack Harney and Daniel Quinn exchanged points and Daniel Quinn, Marcus McCrossan, and Brendan Bradley added further points to close the gap further.
The imperious O’ Neill responded with a point at the other end and when he followed with a 33rd minute major it was all over and it was Cargin who had claimed the points crossing the line 5-11 to 1-15 ahead to maintain top spot in the league.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Hugh O’ Donnell, Kevin Mc Shane (1-00),Gerard Mc Corley (1-00), Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston, Jack O’Neill (0-01), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Jack Harney (1-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), PJ Quinn, Sean O’ Neill (2-10), Martin Kane
Subs
Niall Quinn
Damian Mc Daid
Cain Scullion
St Gall’s: Niall Mc Curdy, Chris Hale, Eoghan Mc Curdy Tiarnan Keenan, John Mc Caffrey, Gerard O’ Neill (1 2pt), Niall Fallon (0-01), Aodhan Gallagher, Conor Mc Cabe, Conn Doherty, Michael Pollock (0-01), Padraig Og Murray (0-01), Brendan Bradley (1-03), Daniel Quinn (0-05)
Subs
Manus Mc Crossan (0-01)
Conn Doherty
Referee: Colin Thompson (St Johns)