Cargin 1-16 Aghagallon 3-09
Reserve Football Cup QF
Report and photos by Brian Hamill
Cargin survived a late Aghagallon rally to claim a dramatic one-point victory in this entertaining reserve championship encounter.
The hosts made a flying start and had four points on the board inside the opening five minutes through Eunan Quinn, Jack Harney (2) and Cillian Scullion, establishing early control.
A goal from Padraig McLaughlin in the seventh minute appeared to put Cargin firmly in command, but Aghagallon responded almost immediately when Niall McShane found the net. The visitors struck again midway through the half when McShane raised his second green flag to leave the sides separated by just two points despite Cargin’s strong opening.
Cargin continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over through Cillian Scullion, Carl McCann, Padraig McLaughlin and Darragh McAuley, and their ability to convert scoring chances allowed them to maintain a narrow advantage. There were also impressive performances around the middle third, with half-back Ronan Devlin and midfielder Gerard McCann repeatedly excelling in the air and claiming a series of important high catches to help establish Cargin’s platform.
Leading 1-10 to 2-3 at the break, Cargin were dealt another setback early in the second half when Niall McShane converted a two-point free to further reduce the deficit.
However, the home side responded impressively. Scores from Cillian Scullion, Fiontan Hardy, Jack Harney, Padraig McLaughlin and Carl McCann helped Cargin build a cushion entering the closing stages. Scullion was particularly influential from placed balls, while McLaughlin finished as Cargin’s top scorer with 1-3.
Aghagallon continued to threaten, with EJ Loughran causing problems through a series of incisive runs. Midway through the second half, Loughran appeared destined for a goal after breaking through the Cargin defence, only for Daniel McCann to produce a crucial save that preserved the home side’s lead at a vital stage of the contest.
Aghagallon refused to go away. EJ Loughran added important scores before substitute Ben Dervan struck for a late goal to leave just a point between the teams entering injury time.
Despite the pressure, Cargin held firm through the closing minutes to secure a hard-earned 1-16 to 3-9 victory.
Referee: Kevin Parke
Cargin scorers:
Padraig McLaughlin 1-3, Cillian Scullion 0-5, Jack Harney 0-3, Carl McCann 0-2, Fiontan Hardy 0-1, Eunan Quinn 0-1, Darragh McAuley 0-1.
Aghagallon scorers:
Niall McShane 2-4 (including one two-point free), EJ Loughran 0-5, Ben Dervan 1-0, Ruairi McShane 0-1.
Reserve Football Cup
All Saints 0-9 Con Magee’s 0-22
In the other Reserve Football Cup game played last night (Wednesday) Con Magee’s, Glenravel proved much too good for All Saints, Ballymena running out winners by 13 points in Ballymena.
Cargin and Glenravel will now join Rossa who defeated Creggan 2-12 to 1-7 and St. Gall’s who beat St. Brigid’s 3-10 to 0-14 in the semi-finals.
St. Gall’s face Cargin at De La Salle Park on the 2nd September at 6-45pm while Rossa and Con Magee’s meet in the other semi-final at Pairc Rossa on the same date and at the same time.