Antrim Senior Football Championship quarter-final at Dunsilly
Erin’s Own Cargin 4-20 St Mary’s Aghagallon 0-09
Reigning County Champions Erin’s Own Cargin took a forward step in defence of their title when they proved far too strong for the opposition as they swept aside the feeble challenge of St Mary’s Aghagallon with the minimum effort before a good crowd under the lights at Dunsilly on Friday evening.
The rain which had fallen during the day in frequent heavy showers had thankfully passed on prior to the start of the game and with a unaffected sod a close encounter was anticipated
The Toome men had to dig deep and come from well off the pace to get the better of the St Mary’s men in the 2022 final passing the post with a three point advantage, after Aghagallon had earned a nine point lead at one stage, and although the St Mary’s men have endured a poor season in league fare this term, some wondered if they could ask the same questions to the champions in this quarter final.
In the event Ronan Devlin’s charges in search of a ‘four in a row’ senior titles were more than ready to answer those questions, and despite the absence of several regulars Cargin were obviously prepared for their opening ‘knock out’ challenge after passing the opening group phase without error.
Aghagallon were first away with an early point provided by Aiden Loughran but it brought quick reply as John Mc Nabb came from his net to deliver a two pointer followed by a point from James Laverty, and the Toome men were gaining their stride. A John Carron goal with points from Conhuir Johnston and James Laverty quickly followed to see them gain a 1-05 to 0-02 lead at the end of the opening quarter and certainly moving the leather well.
The Erin’s Own men dominated the vital central zone right from the outset where Gerard Mc Cann and John Carron took control with the Mc Cann brothers, Michael, Paul and Tomas asking questions aplenty of the Aghagallon rear guard.
As the game progressed the Toome men continued to dominate with their rear guard standing tall in defiance of any attempt to gain a path towards their posts and when Conhuir Johnston added their second ‘major’ the writing was clear at the short blast with the dominant champions owning a 2-11 0-03 advantage at the end of a one-sided half.
Cargin returned to the fray still on the positive and holding a fourteen point advantage soon increased their lead as John Mc Nabb and James Laverty, added a couple more by the 33rd minute before St Mary’s got their opening point of ther half through Adam Loughran.
The Aghagallon corner forward’s point was soon cancelled by a point at the other end as Tomas Mc Cann sent Sean O’ Neill in to split the posts.
Cargin were in complete charge and inroduced Jack O; Neill just as Marc Mc Afee’s long range point added two to the St Mary’s score, but Cargin soon found a reply as a Conan Johnston clearance and a Tomas Mc Cann delivery opened the door for his brother Michael to find the net.
As the quarter final moved onwards to the obvious conclusion Johnny Hannon, who had worked his socks off in the Aghagallon cause, delivered between the posts in the 48th minute to reduce the deficit a bit but it was merely token resistance. The Toome side emptied their bench with Brendan Laverty and Ben Mc Larnon joining the action as they led 3-16 to 0-06.
Young Jack O’ Neill, who has impressed following his promotion to the senior ranks joined the action in the 50th minute, befor the St Mary’s men had their best spell of the game as Jonny Hannon, (2) and Mark Mc Afee added points.
Conhuir Johnston and replacement Ben Mc Larnon added points apiece to the Cargin lead before Tomas McCann grabbed goal number four. Michael McCann then added a couple of points in the latter stages to follow a white flag raised by Brendan Laverty with replacement Callum Gribbin just denied a late goal fas his shot came of the woodwork in the last minutes with his side crossing the line, bound for a semi-final slot.
The other quarter final Games are to be completed on Saturday Dunloy v St Brigid’s, and Sunday where Creggan v Rossa (1-00 pm) and Casement’s v St Gall’s (4-00pm)
Referee Colin Thompson (St John’s)
Cargin
John Mc Nabb (0-04 *), Conan Johnston, Kevin mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Benen Kelly, James Laverty (0-03), Sean O’ Neill, (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron (1-01), David Johnston, Michael Mc Cann (1-01), Paul Mc Cann, Conhuir Johnston (2-05), Tomas Mc Cann (0-07)Tom Shivers
Subs
Callum Gribbin
Ben Mc Larnon
Jack O’ Neill
Brendan Laverty (0-01)
Aghagallon
Odhran Rooney, Stevie Devlin, Aidan Mulholland, Ciaran Maginnis, Jamie Lamont, Kierran Hamill, Jamie Lamont, Paddy Gowdy, Jamie Lenahan, Eunan Walsh, Enda Mc Cartan, Pauric Maginnis, Marc Mc Afee (0-03) Jonny Hannon (0-04), Ruairi Mc Cann, Adam Loughran (0-03),
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