ACFL Division 1
Creggan 0 – 15 Portglenone 0 – 08
The hard fought encounter that many expected between two of the only three unbeaten sides in this year’s division one contest failed to materialise, and after sixty minutes Creggan are the team that still retain full points and extend their impressive opening sequence with a solid performance that was just too good for their opponents on this occasion.
Playing with the wind at their back it took Liam Quinn less than a minute to open the host’s account. Young Odhran Doherty replied a few moments later to keep things on the level, but despite having a ten-minute spell when they were on the front foot, it would be a full quarter until Casements would raise their second flag of the game.
During that period Casements were comfortably holding their own, and two well worked movements created clear goal scoring chances, but the experienced Oisin Kerr made himself large and Ronan Kelly and Aidan McAleese both placed their efforts wide of the posts and that danger was averted.
Creggan were clinical in their response, and six scores, from Teddy McKeown, Liam Quinn and McCann siblings Shay and Jamie, with 2 x two pointers, opened up a sizeable gap on the scoreboard. Odhran Doherty and Aidan McAleese did raise a brace of white flags in between, but on Ray Matthews half time whistle it was the home team who took a seven-point lead to the changing rooms.
Casements supporters have witnessed several spectacular comebacks this year and coming out with the wind at their back most in the crowd were anticipating a full blooded second half that could go to the wire.
What transpired was the opposite, as Creggan upped their game completely and controlled this contest pretty much on their own terms. Kevin Small bossed the midfield exchanges along with his midfield partner Jamie McCann who carried on where he left off by opening the scoring almost immediately after the restart.
Portglenone just couldn’t get their hands on the ball, and although Ronan Kelly knocked over a good point from distance, it was just token resistance as the men in green and gold cruised through Casements defence at will to put this contest well and truly to bed. Shay McCann was involved in everything good and kept the scoreboard ticking over, whilst stalwart half back Sam Maguire opted for a point with a goal at his mercy. Liam Quinn was another who looked lively and he too had a goal bound effort well saved by Casements stand in netminder Brian McManus.
Sean Duffin marked his introduction with a good point too, as the game filtered out to its inevitable conclusion. A trio of late scores from Casements only served to take the bad look of things but for the Portglenone men it was a night to forget.
Creggan looked good all over the pitch and Joe Cassidy will be well pleased with how his charges performed. They had many excellent individual performers and look like a very well-balanced team that know what they are about.
This certainly wasn’t Casements finest hour and a below par second half which saw them raise little resistance is one they will look to put behind them.
Scorers.
Creggan; Jamie McCann 0 – 05, Shay McCann 0 – 04, Liam Quinn 0 – 03, Teddy McKeown 0 – 01, Sam Maguire 0 – 01, Sean Duffin 0 – 01
Portglenone; Odhran Doherty 0 – 04, Aidan McAleese 0 – 01, Dermot McAleese 0 – 01, Ronan Kelly 0 – 01, Stephen Kelly 0 – 01.
Referee – Ray Matthews.