Under 21A Football Championship
Cargin 3-08 St Brigid’s 4-09
A penalty conversion in the 62nd minute by Issac Robinson following foul on Niall Duffy saw St Brigid’s complete a strong comeback to deliver the killer ‘punch’ and book a place in the under-21A championship semi-final at the expense of their hosts, Cargin in a ‘game of two halves in Toome on Sunday.
The home side dominated the opening period with St Brigid’s restricted to less than a handful of scores with Ruairi Mc Erlain raising two white flags, and Joe Logan helping himself to a ‘two pointer’.
Cargin opened positively and had four points on the board by the end of the first quarter and added goals in the second as Conhuir Johnston, Cillian Scullion and Hugh O’ Donnell followed suit despite playing against the breeze.
The Erin’s own side looked to be in a strong position at the break when they led 3-05 to 0-04 as they looked forward to the assistance of the elements in the second period.
Cargin, following an impressive win in the opening round of the under-21A championship, started this quarter started as favourites as they played hosts to St Brigid’s with the weather fine and the breeze assisting the visitors in the opening half.
It was Erin’s own who made a positive start however and Tom Shivers opened their account with an early point and although it took them a time to settle, a Cillian Scullion addition ensured they were a couple of points in front by the 10th minute.
Despite the aid of the breeze the visitors were finding it hard to get going in the early stages and a Fiontan Hardy clearance opened the way for Jack Harbinson to raise white and when Conhuir Johnston added another the hosts had earned a 0-04 to 0-00 advantage and were looking good.
A Ruairi Mc Erlain pointed free got the visitors on to the scoreboard in the 16th minute and Joe Logan followed with an impressive two pointer but Cargin were to finish the first period on top as Tom Shivers sent Conhuir Johnston away to fire home and secure a 1-04 to 0-03 advantage for the Toome side.
Cargin continued to press in the closing stages as a Tom Shivers delivery opened the way for Cillian Scullion to find the back of the net and Conhuir Johnston followed with a point.
They continued to press as the clock counted down as Hugh O’ Donnell completed a movement from defence to attack when he added a third goal with Ruairi McErlaine having the last say as he split the posts for the visitors to leave it 3-05 to 0-04 for the hosts as the half time whistle sounded.
The hosts started the second half with a quick attack and Conhuir Johnston pointed to increase their advantage but the visitors were about to return fire when a Niall Duffy effort from an acute angle nestled in the back of the Cargin net.
Tom Scullion quickly replied with a point but St. Brigid’s were beginning to find their feet as they took control in the central zone and JJ Higgins added a second goal and the Musgrave Park side had made impressive inroads into the Cargin lead.
Cargin still retained a three point advantage but that was about to change as Niall Duffy added a point and when the same player added a two pointer the momentum was now very much with the visitors.
St Brigids were now dominating as Duffy added back to back pointed frees and mid fielder Brian McGarrath followed with a goal to ensure a 3-09 to 3-07 lead.
Ben Mc Lernon responded with a point to close the gap to the minimum but their visitors had the scent of victory in their sites and Issac Robinson Stepped forward to despatch a 62nd minute penalty to the net to kill the Cargin challenge and earn his side a place in the semi-finals.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Fiontan Hardy, Cahir Donnelly, Cahir O’ Boyle, Callum Gribbin, Ben Mc Lernon (0-01), Jack O’ Neill, Charlie Mc Cann, Tom Shivers (1-02), Hugh O’ Donnell (1-00), Jack Harney (0-01), Conan Johnston (0-01), Cillian Scullion (1-00), Cian Scullion, Conhuir Johnston (1-03)
Subs
Patrick O’ Neill
St Brigids: Fergus Canning, Aodhan Mc Nicholl, Sonny Doyle, C Logue, Niall Finnegan, Donnacha Mc Gurk, Eoghan Sheehey, Brian Mc Garrath (1-02*)Josh Toner, Niall Duffy (2-4 2, 2pointers), Issac Robinson (1gl), Ruairi Mc Erlaine (1-2 1-2 pointer), JJ Higgins (1-00), Joe Logan (1-2pts)
Subs:
Joe Mellon,
Conor O’ Connell
Dara Oglisby
Referee: B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)