Antrim Football League – Division 1

Glenravel 1-09  Creggan 1-18

Creggan proved their table topping status with a convincing win in Glenravel but for the opening quarter they looked a long way second best in this encounter as the hosts got off to a flying start to lead 1-04 to 0-02 with twelve minutes on the clock. However Creggan started dominating midfield possession in the final five minutes of the first half and pretty much most of the second half limiting their opponents to only four more scores whilst they popped over points at will with Liam Quinn, berthed at full forward but roving at pace around the D, being unstoppable on the night.

Con Magees started well and led by three, Niall Hynds, Daire Higgins and Cathal Hynds the providers. Fintan Close and Martin Johnson pulled two back for the visitors but Glenravel replied through an Eamon Ward point and Cathal Hynds goal to lead 1-04 to 0-02 with twelve minutes gone. Up popped Liam Quinn with the first of his total of five points followed by Dominic McAteer to reduce the gap to three. Creggan’s big midfielder Jamie McCann was gifted a chance in front of goal to level the game but his piledriver was tipped onto the bar by Conleth O’Loan in goals and the same player recovered quickly enough to grab the rebound and clear the danger; but the warning signs were beginning to flag in the home side’s defence. Callum Higgins, who had a good hour in the green and white stretched the gap to four points but with five minutes remaining Creggan started to wrestle control of the game back and levelled with three from Liam Quinn and one from Sean Duffin. On the stroke of half time Glenravel themselves had a great goal chance but the shot was blocked and rebounded to Declan McAuley who also impressed throughout the game and McAuley slotted over with his left peg to give the home side the narrowest of leads as the half time whistle blew.

Creggan would have the advantage of what was sometimes a swirling wind in the second half and they used that to good effect. Though wayward at times they had enough possession to be wasteful without major impact. In the third quarter of the game they slotted over six points without reply from the home team. Two from Quinn and points each from Sean Duffin, Jamie McCann, Kevin Small and Conor Johnson to open up a five point lead. Aiden O’Donnell pointed from a free and with ten minutes remaining but Creggan had a four point advantage 0-14 to 1-07. With only a couple of minutes normal time left Kevin Small popped over a 2-point free and in as many minutes after Sean Duffin and Conor Johnson opened the gap to eight points as we entered added time. Whatever hope the home side had was completely eliminated when burly sub Aidan McKeown goaled to effectively kill the game. In the last play of the game Callum Higgins put over a 2-pointer from the forty five metre line in what was probably the score of the game and fitting that he should score it. But seconds later referee Kevin Parke kindly called time just before the rain came on; the visiting supporters much happier getting into their cars dry. Final score Glenravel 1-09 Creggan 1-18.

CON MAGEES – 1 Conleth O’Loan, 2 Conor Carey, 3 Eoin McCusker, 4 Niall Dickson, 5 Declan McCauley, 6 Sean Higgins, 8 Calum Higgins, 9 Cathal Hynds, 10 Niall Hynds, 11 Aidan O’Donnell, 12 Joe Martin, 13 Fergus Donaghy, 14 Harry Fyfe, 15 Daire Higgins.

CREGGAN – 1 Mark Dougan, 2 Conor McCann, 3 Ricky Johnston, 4 Liam McLernon, 5 Sam Maguire, 6 Ethan Carey-Small, 8 Martin Johnston, 9 Jamie McCann, 10 Fintan Close, 11 Kevin Small, 12 Sean Duffin, 13 Joe McAteer, 14 Liam Quinn, 15 Shea McCann.

TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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