(SFC Group One)
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-17 Tir na Nog 0-14
Reigning senior champions Erin’s Own were forced to dig deep to pass the test provided by the men from Whitehill and come from off the pace on Saturday evening before a good attendance on their own sod.
Tir na nOg travelled to Toome in the opening round of the senior championship cast in the role of outsiders on Saturday evening.
In the event, it was Cargin who would claim the win as expected but the reigning champions were forced to dig deep before passing the winning post with a hard earned 1-17 to 0-14 victory.
A good crowd had assembled in Toome as Cargin began their campaign in defence of their hard earned senior championship title and although the Erin’s Own men were to start as very warm favourites they would be pushed all the way by the Randalstown side.
Cargin started positively with a Tomas McCann point and his nephew Sean Og O’Neill was quick to add another.
Their visitors were soon off the mark with a point from Oliver McAtamney and when mid fielder Mc Allister provided a fine ‘two pointer’ they had nipped into an early lead.
The home support were strangely quiet as the opening period progressed and the men from Whitehill increased their lead as Darragh Fagan added back to back points, one a ‘two pointer’ and further whites raised by Emmett Murray and Oliver Mc Atamney moved them 0-07 to 0-03 ahead.
The home side were struggling to get their game together but Benen Kelly sprang into action and following a fetch at the back by Jack O’ Neill he nipped forward to hoist a white.
Cargin pressed again and a creative movement involving Sean O’ Neill, James Laverty, and Tomas McCann opened the way for John Carron to find the net.
This score seemed to lift the reigning champions and points from Conhuir Johnston and Michael McCann, aided by a superb fetch from Jack O’ Neill ensured a 1-06 to 0-08 lead for the home side as the short whistle sounded.
There was a lot to talk about in the ranks of the onlookers during the break but the home side opened a three point gap in the 33rd minute when Michael McCann despatched a fine ‘two pointer’ between the posts.
The visitors were quick to respond and opened their second half account with another two pointer as Sean Duffin delivered between the posts.
Cargin introduced Callum Gribbin into the ranks and the big man made a difference with Tomas McCann, John Carron and Conhuir Johnston adding points before another catch in defence by the excellent Jack O’Neill opened the way for Conhuir Johnston to split the posts.
Just back from long term injury the young man was making an impact on proceedings but bad luck denied him a couple of goal opportunities.
The home side had earned a three point advantage 1-11 to 0-11 but saw their visitors return fire as accurate Darragh Fagan added a pointed free to his personal haul.
Cargin were gaining in stride as the second period progressed however and points from Tomas Mc Cann and another from net minder John McNabb increased their advantage.
The visitors replied again through the impressive Darragh Fagan but the home side replied through Conhuir Johnston (2), and Benen Kelly who fired over from long range to move his side 1-17 to 0-13 ahead and the die was cast.
Tir na nOg continued to battle in the latter stages and were rewarded with a close range free from Darragh Fagan but it proved too little-too late and the long blast signalled a 1-17 to 0-14 win for the home side.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-01), Conan Johnston, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Corley, Benen Kelly (0-02), James Laverty (0-01), Jack O’ Neill, John Carron (1-02), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Sean O’ Neill (0-01), Jack Harney, Michael Mc Cann (0-03), Conhuir Johnston (0-04), Tomas Mc Cann (0-03)
Subs
Callum Gribbin
Tir na nOg: Sean Paul Mc Atamney, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ciaran Mc Grellis, Daire Martin, Ciaran 0’ Neill, Barry Mc Cormick (0-02), Sean og Mc Allister (0-01), Darragh Feagan (04 2*), Josh Higgins, Sean Duffin, Oliver Mc Atamney (0-03), Aiden Toland, Caleb Smith, Emmett Murray (0-02)
Subs
Ryan O’ Neill
Brandon Devlin
Paul Mc Closkey
Referee: Ray Matthews
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