Above – Cargin goalkeeper John McNabb will once again be a key player as Cargin go for 4-in-row for the first time

Antrim Senior Football Championship final

Erin’s own Cargin (Holders) v Cuchullian’s Dunloy

Corrigan Park – Sunday 1-30pm

Sunday’s Senior Football Championship final at Corrigan Park brings together two sides who met at the same stage two years-ago and should attract a bumper attendance to the Whiterock Road venue despite the game being screened live on TG4.

On that occasion holders Cargin emerged as victors by five points, thanks largely to 2 goals from youngster, Conhuir Johnston and on Sunday Johnston is again likely to be part of a Cargin side aiming to make it four in a row for the Erin’s own side.

The teams met in the Group stages of this years-championship with Cargin again emerging victors over Sunday’s rivals in the final game in Group 1 on a score-line of 1-21 to 2-13 but by that stage both sides had qualified for the quarter finals.

Deaglan Smith missed that clash in Portglenone through injury but returned to play a major part in Dunloy’s win over the Casement’s  and then St. Brigid’s as they progressed to Sunday’s final but ironically picked up another injury in his side’s hurling championship defeat to Loughgiel last weekend.

Manager, Anthony McQuillan stated during the week that he expects Smith to be fit for Sunday’s clash on the Whiterock where Dunloy will start as underdogs, with or without their mid-field dynamo.

Nothing is taken for granted though by Cargin’s supremo, Ronan Devlin as his side sets out on the trail of a possible ‘four in a row’ and they have been the form side throughout this year’s championship.

The Toome side won their first championship back in 1974 with victory over Sarsfields but didn’t win another one until 2000, due mainly to the dominance of St. Gall’s during that period.

They have been the dominant club in Antrim for more than a decade however and have brought their championship success to a total of 13 during that period including a couple of ‘three in a rows’ but as yet have been unable to make it four on the bounce.

Their opponents this weekend, Dunloy have been more noted for their success in hurling having gained 16 senior titles to date but although they have not reached the same heights in football they are never the less a formidable opponent.

In recent years quite a number of the Cuchullian’s duel players have thrown their weight behind the club’s football championship campaign and while league form without them has been indifferent, they are a different animal with their hurling contingent on board.

Those wins over St. John’s and Tir na nOg in the group stages were followed up with excellent wins over Portglenone in the quarter-final and a semi-final win over St. Brigid’s under the watchful eyes of Sunday’s opponents in Toome.

Just how last weekend’s hurling semi-final defeat to old adversaries, Loughgiel will affect the Cuchullian’s in this weekend’s decider remains to be seen with up to a dozen of that side likely to be involved at some stage of the football decider.

Only a point separated Dunloy and St. Brigid’s in that semi-final win while it took a penalty shootout before the reigning champions emerged victorious over neighbours Creggan in a real cliff hanger in the other semi-final.

Cargin have dominated the scene in Antrim in recent times and have adapted seamlessly to the new rules and keeper, John McNabb has been a major player in this year’s success and weighed in with vital scores throughout this year’s campaign.

Kevin McShane, James Laverty, Michael, Paul and Tomas McCann, John Carron and Gerard McCann bring a wealth of experience while the emergence of excellent youngsters like Conhuir Johnston, Benen Kelly, Ronan Gribbin, Sean Og O’Neill and Tom Shivers make Erin’s Own a force to be reckoned with.

They have been further boosted by the return of Pat Shivers who made a cameo appearance in the semi-final after an arm injury that kept him out of action for most of the championship campaign.

The Cuchullian’s know only one way to play, on the front foot and they will certainly not go into Sunday’s final with an inferiority complex with many of their side having enjoyed a lot of success with their hurlers.

Aaron Crawford has been excellent in defence with Aodhan and Ryan McGarry strong in that department. The availability of a fit Deaglan Smith would be a major boost to their mid-field where Eoin McFerran has also been impressive.

However If Dunloy are to win this one it could be their attack that could make the difference with Seaan and Nigel Elliott providing lightning pace and the confidence to finish and Eoin O’Neill and Keelan Molloy potential match winners on their day.

Cargin will start as favourites however and their greater experience at this level and their ‘never say die’ will to win coupled with the extra week’s preparation should see them collect their first ‘four in a row’.

Dunloy v Portglenone

Cargin v Creggan

In a year when we have been busier than ever at the Saffron Gael it was nice to attend both football semi-finals where I could watch the games without the added pressure of taking notes and preparing to write the reports.

The day before we received a few donations from clubs and sponsors in response to our appeal for financial assistance and we thank those involved and again appeal to clubs who have not donated, to do so.

For the ‘Spare Wheel’ or ‘Third Sub’ if you like it was amazing to observe Antrim’s four best teams bidding for a place in the final in 2 weeks-time with Dunsilly providing an excellent venue for both games.

 The stewards on duty did a superb job in parking cars and getting them safely out of the ground when the game was over, scanning tickets and all the thankless tasks that are necessary on such an occasion.

Meanwhile the ‘Spare Wheel’ took his place inside the wire to soak up the atmosphere and try to capture some of the action and listen to the different comments of spectators from all sides outside the wire.

Dunsilly was packed on both occasions with the large and vociferous crowd certainly adding atmosphere to both games and what a feast they were treated to on Friday night and Sunday evening.

As I listened to the comments, sometimes heated, I came to the conclusion that the man in the middle’s decisions is usually right for 50% of the crowd, half of the time and right with the other 50% on the other half of the time.

We have already carried reports and photographs on both games and will be previewing the final next week but for now here are a selection of photographs from both semi-final and I hope you enjoy them.

TO VIEW ‘Spare Wheel’s’ PICS FROM BOTH GAMES CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW

Dunloy v Portglenone

https://myalbum.com/album/GxnH9Esf3e7q7R

Cargin v Creggan

https://myalbum.com/album/w62ZbEyvG3HmEu

Antrim Senior Football Championship (semi-final)

Erin’s Own Cargin 3-13 Kickham’s Creggan 0-22 aet

(Cargin win 4-2 on penalties)

Erin’s Own Cargin and Kickham’s Creggan served up a real championship cracker of a semi-final in front of a large attendance at Dunsilly on Sunday.

60 plus minutes and two periods of extra time failed to separate the neighbouring parishes and deadly rivals and it took penalties to decide the issue and send Cargin through to their fourth final in row.

Games between this pairing is usually a fixture to pay close attention to and indeed this meeting under a blazing sun in early autumn was to proceed in a supercharged high octane manner.

Creggan claimed the Division One league title at the expense of All Saint’s on the same location a few weeks ago before progressing to the semi-final of the championship, coming through the group stage undefeated.

A quarter-final victory over Rossa saw them progress to a semi-final meeting with reigning champions Cargin and that meeting brought added pressure to the occasion.

Erin’s Own were unbeaten in their journey to Sunday’s semi-final and recorded a one sided quarter-final victory over St. Mary’s Aghagallon where they scored an impressive 4-20 and went into Sunday’s game as firm favourites.

Despite the underdogs tag it was Kickham’s Creggan who opened at breakneck speed at Dunsilly and raced into an early 0-6 to 0-00 lead with Conor Small firing between the posts in the 2^nd minute to settle his side’s nerves.

Matthew Rogers and mid fielder Patrick Mc Auley added two more to give Kickham’s a 0-03 to 0-00 advantage with the game clock at 6 minutes and Cargin visibly struggling to get it together.

Cargin were struggling to lay their hands on the ball and it was a situation that was to prevail in the early stages as Creggan continued to attack at pace and with purpose.

They were ruling the roost and their dominance of the breaking ball was paying dividends and Jamie McCann, Matthew Rogers, and the lively Conor Small moved them 0-06 to 0-00 ahead.

Indeed it could have been even better for Creggan but Small’s penalty attempt rose over the bar but at that stage the challengers would have been more than happy with their six point lead.

Having been silenced for a time the Cargin support were soon in good voice as Paul McCann approached from the left hand side to deliver to the back of the Creggan net with the Creggan defence nowhere to been seen.

Sean Og O’ Neill was quick to follow with a point but the relief felt within the ranks of the Erin’s Own crowd was soon to be silenced again as Creggan returned to the offensive and three unanswered points from the impressive Conor Small had them back in control and five points ahead.

The champions looked in trouble but not for long as John McNabb left his goal line to come forward and despatch a ‘two pointer between the posts.

Matthew Rodgers was quick to add a point to the Creggan advantage but the Erin’s Own men returned fire prior to their domination of the latter stages of the opening period.

Tom Shivers added a point to the Cargin tally and when John McNabb, James Laverty and Shivers again raised further white flags it was parity on the board at the short whistle and Creggan’s early dominance had been wiped away.

The second half commenced with Cargin moving full back Kevin McShane into the central zone to combat the Creggan dominance in that department.

Creggan were first to strike as the second half got under way with a couple of early points but Cargin were quick to reply as Michael McCann opened the door for Conhuir Johnston to score a stunning goal.

Creggan responded with a point at the other end through Dominic Mc Ateer but Cargin were beginning to exert control and struck another decisive blow with Tom Shivers finishing to the net for their third goal and the balance of play looked to have swung in their favour.

Ruairi Mc Cann for Creggan, in the 51^st minute and Paul McCann for Cargin exchanged further points but as the end approached points from Conhuir Johnston and a Tomas McCann converted free looked the final nail in the Creggan coffin.

Time still remained however and although a late Callum Gribbin point seemed to ensure victory with Creggan four points in arrears back to back points from Conor Small and Jamie McCann before a hotly disputed 67^th minute two pointer by the former sent the game into extra time.

The first ten minute period was a low scoring affair with Creggan gaining minimum advantage with a 66^th minute point but a Sean O’ Neill fisted effort and another from replacement Eunan Quinn moved the Champions ahead of a fiercely contested opening period.

Kickham’s looked in trouble but came back strongly as the second period of extra time got under way with Ruairi McCann edging them ahead with time almost up.

There would be one final twist in this already compelling drama however when Cargin were awarded a free around mid-field and referee Kevin Parke moved the ball forward for dissent, and Tomas McCann tapped over to tie the contest and send the game into a penalty shootout.

A cruel end to decide the outcome but in the event it was Cargin who were to emerge as winners with a two goal advantage to keep their hopes of 4 in a row very much alive.

They will meet Cuchullian’s Dunloy in two weeks-time in a repeat of the 2023 final with Dunloy hoping to gain revenge for that defeat and it promises to be another compelling contest with the Toome side starting as favourites.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-03) 1 2pt 1 f) Ronan Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Conan Johnston, Benen Kelly, James Laverty (0-01) Sean Og O’Neill (0-2), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston. Michael Mc Cann, Paul McCann (1-1) Conhuir Johnston (1-1), Thomas McCann 0-3 1f) Tom Shivers (1-1),

Subs

Jack O’Neill

Callum Gribbin (0-01),

Eunan Quinn (0-02)

P Shivers

K O’Boyle

Creggan: Oisin Kerr, L Mc Larnon, R Johnston, E Mc Ateer, D Mc Ateer (0-01), E Carey Small, J Mc Cann (0-01), P Mc Auley, S Duffin, (0-2), F Close 0-1, C Small (0-7), R Mc Cann (0-03 1*tp) J Mc Ateer, M Rogers (0-03 1 tp)) K Small (0-1)

Subs

L Quinn (0-03)

K Small

S Mc Cann

C Johnston (0-01)

M Johnston

D Mc Ateer3

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/DNhX3CJW6Cev25

U16C Football Championship final

Naomh Comhghall 4-12 Rasharkin 0-18

The old saying, goals win games! rang clear at St. Mary’s Ahoghill on Sunday afternoon as Naomh Comhghall, Antrim defeated St. Mary’s Rasharkin in a highly entertaining U16C championship final.

Matthew McLornan hit 1-4 and his colleague, Thomas Doherty contributed 1-2 with the ‘Town’s’ other first half 2 pointer coming from Michael Sloan as they led St. Mary’s 2-8 to 0-7 at half time at a sun kissed Cloney.

Shea McFerran was Rasharkin’s leading marksman during the opening period and he contributed 0-5 during a first half where those two goals were the difference with Conor McGaughey and Paddy Carey adding points apiece.

Whatever the Rasharkin half time talk contained, it seemed to work with the Blue & Amber hoops rattling off three quick points on the restart through Conor McGaughey, Sean Casey and a Paul McMullan free to close the gap to four by the 4^th minute.

Their good work was soon undone however when Naomh Comhghall were awarded a penalty in their first attack of the half and team captain Michael Sloan confidently stroked it home.

Shea McFerran from play and then with a converted free and another well struck point from Paul McMullan had it back to four again at the end of the third quarter and at this stage the momentum was very much with the boys from Dreen.

Naomh Comhghall then lost a player to a Black card as Shea McFerran added another St. Mary’s point and it was down to three and Naomh Comhghall were in need of a score to stem the tide.

Pearse Harrison provided one and then another from two converted frees before Shea McFerran replied again for the St. Mary’s side and another from Paul McMullan had it back to three again.

It still looked anybody’s game at this stage with Michael Sloan hitting a great point from distance for the Antrim town side and McMullan and Harrison exchanged further points as the clock counted down.

With three still the difference between the sides Naomh Comhghall won a ‘45’ and Michael Sloan’s well struck effort looked to have the legs for a point but it dipped at the last minute and deceived Patrick McFadden, who was facing the blinding sun, and ended in the net. A great game of football littered with some excellent scores but in the end it was goals that proved the difference and it was a proud Michael Sloan who received the U16C Cup from Rasharkin stalwart, Danny McLarnon

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/G5wkXkBQdtAEi6