ACFL Division 1 League (Semi Final)
All Saint’s Ballymena 2-23 Erin’s Own Cargin 5-14 (aet)
All Saint’s win (7-6) on penalties
Benny McDonnell kept his cool to slot home the winning penalty after a marathon ACFL semi-final between Erin’s own Cargin and All Saints Ballymena at a sun kissed Whitehill on Saturday afternoon.
A fast flowing and high scoring game provided entertainment for the good crowd who had gathered despite both sides being short of a number of their regulars with Cargin worst affected.
The Ballymena side looked to have wrapped it up when they led by three deep into time added on in extra time but Cargin were awarded a strongly disputed penalty which Michael McCann tucked away with virtually the last kick of the ball.
A pristine sod and a warm breeze greeted the good attendance with little separating the contestants in the opening minutes as mid fielder Conor Stewart raised the first white flag in the opening minute before similar scores at the other end by Conhuir Johnston and Michael McCann ensured early advantage for the Toome men.
A Paddy Mc Aleer 8th minute point saw the Saints on par and although a white flag was raised by the Ballymena midfielder Stewart, his second score of the evening, Cargin were quick to make reply as a couple of points from Conhuir Johnston sandwiched one by Michael McCann to ensure a 0-05 to 0-03 lead for the Erin’s Own men at the end of the open quarter.
Having slipped into arrears, All Saint’s were soon to regain the lead as Emmett Killlough gathered to send Paddy McAleer away to grab a couple of points before Killough added another and Joe Rafferty followed suit to see All Saint’s move 0-07 to 0-05 ahead after 16 minutes.
Cargin were back in front when Michael McCann despatched a penalty to the back of the net following a foul on the hard grafting Conhuir Johnston but late points from mid fielder Stewart and Paddy Mc Aleer saw All Saint’s nip ahead 0-09 to 1-05 at the end of the opening period.
The second half got under way as the easterly breeze eased and it was Cargin who were first off the mark after young Jack Harney’s defence splitting delivery opened the way for Sean O’Neill to finish to the back of the net.
O’Neill added a 34th minute point before a long range John Carron effort extended the Cargin lead to 2-09 to 0-09 and it looked like the reigning county champions were taking control.
All Saints had other ideas however and Paddy Mc Aleer replied with a 2 pointer before Ciaran Campbell followed with a goal and a point and All Saint’s had nipped ahead at 1-12 to 2-08.
Mid fielder Conor Stewart added a 3d minute point to the All Saint’s total and after the impressive Conhuir Johnston followed suit at the other end the big midfielder was quick to reply to level the issue at 2-10 to 1-13.
The end to end stuff was heightening the enjoyment of the attendance and after David Johnston nipped away to split the posts and give the Toome men back the lead a defence splitting pass from Jack Harney into the path of Michael McCann saw him finish to the back of the net.
It was Cargin who were now enjoying the better of the exchanges as James Laverty and McCann combined to open the way for Sean O’ Neill to fire to the net to move Erin’s Own move 4-10 to 1-14 ahead.
Once again Baker Bradley’s side looked in bother but they continued to show the never say die spirit that had epitomised them throughout the game.
A Jack Harney point threatened to put it out of reach of the Ballymena side but once again they came storming back with Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty and James McDonnell pointing to bring them level before Paddy McAleer’s fisted effort was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
It was a thrill a minute at this stage as the excellent James Laverty restored the Cargin lead with the equally impressive Sean McVeigh tying it once more.
All Saints had been reduced to 14 men at this stage and when Conhuir Johnston rattled the All Saints net for their 5th of the evening, deep into time added on they looked on their way to defeat.
Once again they picked themselves up of the canvas and a good move from deep in defence saw Conor Stewart’s goal bound attempt rebound of the crossbar but Joe Rafferty was on hand to bury it to the net and the sides were level for the umpteenth time.
The Slemish Park side introduced Ronan McKillop and Paidin Mitchell at the start of extra time as Sean O’Neill and Conor Stewart exchanged early points before Stewart edged his side ahead again with a point in the 6th minute.
Significantly they kicked a number of bad wides at this stage as Michael McCarry replaced the injured Emmet Killough in the All Saints side and a Sean O’Neill point for the Toome side saw it tied at 5-14 to 2-23 as Cathal McDermott sounded the half time whistle.
The crowd were on their feet as the game got underway again as James Laverty edged the county champions ahead once more but All Saints found another response and looked to have booked their place in the final.
Ronan McKillop, Paddy McAleer (f), Benny McDonnell and Ciaran Campbell pointed to move the men in black three in front but in a dramatic finish Cargin were awarded a penalty and Michael McCann converted to send the game into penalties.
Benny McDonnell became the All Saints hero when he converted the final penalty of the evening to send All Saints into the final where they are set to meet Creggan and it was handshakes all round at Conclusion.
Creggan advance after St. Brigid’s withdrew from the other semi-final and there is a feeling in some quarters that the league should be decided at the end of the league programme.
For the second year in succession Erin’s own finished clear of the pack but found themselves taking part in play-offs at a time of the year when a lot of player are missing through holidays or injury
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Oliver O’Rawe, KLavan Keenan, Harry Connon, James McDonnell, Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty, Emmet Killough, Conor Stewart, Connell Lemon, Patrick McAleer, Benny McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell Sean McVeigh, Peter McReynolds
Subs used: Conor Brennan, Michael McCarry, Paidin Mitchell, Ronan McKillop
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley. Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Callum Gribbin, James Laverty (0-2), Conan Johnston, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann. David Johnston (0-01), Sean O’ Neill (2-06), Jack Harney (0-01), Michael Mc Cann (2-02), Conhuir Johnston (1-05) PJ Quinn)
Subs:
Charlie McCann
Benen Kelly
Ben Mc Larnon
Patrick O’ Neill
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg:
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