AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship, quarter-final

Cargin 0-9 Errigal Ciarán 0-17

Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran proved just too good for a disappointing Cargin side at Corrigan Park on Sunday, the Tyrone champions winning with ease to set up an Ulster semi-final meeting with Armagh’s Clann Eireann, who beat Derry champions Newbridge at Celtic Park later in the day.

Four weeks out from their Antrim county final win over Portglenone the Toome men simply could not get to the pace of the game, while Errigal Ciaran, who won the Tyrone title just eight days ago, were sharp from the start. The were 0-3 to 0-0 ahead early in the game, and though Cargin appeared to be back in the game when they closed the gap to 0-4 to 0-3 with twenty minutes gone, the Tyrone men found their second wind as they outscored Cargin by 0-07 to 0-01 over the last ten minutes of the opening half and as the team’s headed in at half time with the scoreboard reading 10-4 you felt all was missing from the were the words ‘Over and Out’

 If the Antrim side were to get back into the game they needed a strong start to the second half, but that never happened and Errigal’s ability to win practically every kick-out put Cargin on the back foot. Half way through that second period the Errigal management men were emptying their bench to give players a ‘run out’, and though Cargin did keep battling on against the odds it was clear that Errigal’s path to the semi-final was secured.

The Tyrone champions went ahead with two pointed frees from Thomas Canavan, both awarded for incidents well away from the play, something that was going on all over the field to be honest but the Erins’s Own men never seemed to benefit from any of them. Ruairi Canavan stretched the lead to three with the first score from play and it was clear that Cargin were in trouble. However the Errigal scoring dried up as they shot a series of bad wides, and there was a sense of relief when Cargin netminder McNabb fired over his team’s first score of the game on sixteen minutes. When Tomás McCann and Sean O’Neill added two more for Cargin there was suddenly a bit of optimism among the Toome fans, but those hopes didn’t last long as Errigan reset their ‘radar’ hitting the next six points wihoout reply to open the gap to six by the time Monaghan referee Martin McNally sounded the half time whistle.

The Tyrone side, managed by former Antrim boss Enda McGinley who is a brother-in-law of the McCann clan from Cargin, had clearly done their homework and despite being on a hectic run of games that included a preliminary round win last week, they had more energy from the start and set a bar Cargin couldn’t reach.

Even though shooting would prevent Errigal from moving out of sight in the first half, they still held a six-point gap at the short whistle and were able to manage it in the second period.

Over the hour, Enda McGinley’s men had 10 different scorers and this epitomised a team effort as they limited Cargin to just three points from play and they will be delighted with their day’s work.

“We didn’t turn up at all,” conceded Cargin manager, Ronan Devlin.

“We didn’t compete, do the basic stuff, got cleaned out on the break balls, made mistakes and gave the ball away. After a bad start, we worked our way into it but then just silly mistakes let them chop away – it was a bad day all round.

“It was just so flat, dead – just not good enough. We’ve nobody to blame this time but ourselves.”

Errigal had the first two scores through Thomas Canavan frees, both awarded for holding off the ball as referee Martin McNally set out to lay down a marker.

Ruairi Canavan grabbed their first from play as David Johnston went into the book for a foul in the build-up and the Tyrone champions were flying as their pace of attack left Cargin chasing shadows.

However, their shooting began to let them down with five straight wides, yet Cargin were still having no joy getting anything going in the opening period and it took goalkeeper John McNabb to finally get them off the mark with 16 gone.

The Antrim champions enjoyed a mini spell as Tomás McCann and Sean O’Neill replied to one from Ben McDonnell, but the Tyrone side reasserted themselves over the final 10 minutes of the opening half with six of the last seven scores as Joe Oguz, Tiernan Colhoun and Peter Og McCartan assisted the Canavans, Darragh (two) and Ruairi as they took a deserved 0-10 to 0-4 lead into the break.

Errigal’s Ciaran McGinley had the gap out to seven soon after the restart, and though Tomas McCann pulled one back from a free, midfielder Joe Oguz and corner forward Ruairi Canavan put more daylight between the sides.

Tomas Mccann was keeping the scoreboard ticking over from frees, but though there were a couple of half chances for the goal they needed to ignite a comeback, the Errigal defence were always in control.

A disappointing day for a team that have given so much over the past decade, and they will be glad of the break to recharge the batteries. Elligal manager Enda McGinley, a former Antrim manager and brother in law to the three McCann brothers, will now lead his team into a semi-final meeting with Armagh champions Clann Eireann. That will be a tougher test for the Tyrone champions, who are seeking their first Ulster title since 2002, but Sunday’s showing by his team should give him a good deal of confidence

Scorers for Cargin: T McCann 0-6 (5f, 1 45), J McNabb 0-1, S O’Neill 0-1, R Gribbin 0-1.

Scorers for Errigal Ciaran: R Canavan 0-4 (3f), D Canavan 0-2, T Canavan 0-2 (2f), J Oguz 0-2, C McGinley 0-2, P Og McCartan 0-1, T Colhoun 0-1, M Kavanagh 0-1, R McRory 0-1.

CARGIN: John McNabb; Kevin O’Boyle, Kevin McShane, Ronan Gribbin; Justin Crozier, Sean O’Neill, Jamie Gribbin; Michael McCann, John Carron; David Johnston, Tomás McCann, James Laverty; Conhuir Johnston, Eunan Quinn, Pat Shivers.

Subs: Paul McCann for D Johnston (HT), Benen Kelly for J Crozier (HT), Conan Johnston for E Quinn (37), Ronan Devlin for B Kelly (46), Tom Shivers for Conhuir Johnston (51)

ERRIGAL CIARÁN: Darragh McAnenly; Cormac Quinn, Aidan McCrory, Thomas Canavan; Peter Og McCartan, Niall Kelly, Tiarnan Colhoun; Ben McDonnell, Joe Oguz; Pauric Traynor, Peter Harte, Ciaran McGinley; Ruairi Canavan, Darragh Canavan, Odhran Robinson.

Subs: Mark Kavanagh for P Traynor (46), Ciaran Quinn for T Colhoun (46), Padraig McGirr for O Robinson (51), Eoin Kelly for T Canavan (51), Ronan McRory for D Canavan (57)

REFEREE: Martin McNally (Monaghan)

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Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Final

Cargin 0-10-0-08 Portglenone (AET)

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park

Cargin won their third Padraig McNamee Cup on the spin but were forced to dig deep and go to the well in their 0-10-0-08 extra-time win over Portglenone at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Champions were pegged back deep in second half injury time when Aidan McAleese kicked his second free in a matter of minutes to restore parity and force extra-time.

Late in the first period, Pat Shivers and Tomas McCann pointed inside of 60-seconds to edge them back ahead before their insurance score arrived from a Eunan Quinn point in the dying embers of the second period of extra-time to ensure the Toome outfit make it three successive county titles and six in the last seven years.

Portglenone were first off the mark inside of sixty-seconds, Conor Magee fed the ball off to Oisin Doherty- who weaved his way forward and clipped the ball over.

At the other end Tomas McCann bore down on goal and dragged his low shot a few yards wide of the far post.

A turnover in midfield led to the Bannsiders doubling their advantage with Ronan Kelly firing in a pass that was laid off to Enda Lynn to float over.

Ronan Kelly then converted an angled free as the Ports had settled the better on the Whiterock Road.

It took Cargin until the 13^th minute to register on the scoreboard, Tomas McCann popping over from the placed ball and Pat Shivers then swung over another less than 60-seconds later – taking a pass from Mick McCann and dropping his shot between the posts.

With five minutes to the break Portglenone were temporarily reduced to 14-men. Dermot McAleese was cited for a bodycheck off the ball and referee Kevin Parke issued a black card.

A fine block from Conor Magee prevented a possible Cargin goal before the break after Sean O’Neill was advancing and had lined up a goal-bound effort.

The Champions would hit two scores in less than a minute to edge ahead at the break. Tom Shivers ran onto a Mick McCann pass through the hands and dropped over with Conor Johnston adding another in the first minute of added time to ensure the Toome outfit were 0-04-0-03 ahead at the midway point.

Portglenone returned to their full complement two minutes after the restart and the returning McAleese kicked an advanced mark to draw the game level.

Approaching the midway stage in the second half, Cargin regained their slender advantage after Mick McCann found John McNabb with a quick free and the veteran keeper hung up a high shot that dropped over.

Their lead was doubled when Sean O’Neill was hauled down and Tomas McCann converted the placed ball, but Enda Lynn replied quickly from play.

Cargin restored their two-point lead on the 59^th minute, again O’Neill was illegally brought to ground and this time Pat Shivers swung over the free to give his side a 0-07-0-05 lead going into added time.

Substitute David Johnston was adjudged to have overcarried and Aidan McAleese clipped over the free to make it a single point game again.

It looked as though his side’s chance had come and gone however when they were awarded a difficult angled free that Michael Hagan hung up and Pat Shivers claimed, but after Sean O’Neill was blown for overcarrying the chance of redemption came and Aidan McAleese kicked his second free of injury time to draw the game level and ensure extra-time was on the cards.

Extra-time:

Portglenone drew first blood early in extra-time when Aidan McAleese’s free dropped short and Niall McKeever’s fisted attempt snuck inside the large post.

However, Cargin hit back with a late double at the end of the first period. John McNabb hoisted a high ball that Mick McCann gathered and laid off to Pat Shivers to land a marvellous angled point.

A trip on Jamie Gribbin then afforded Tomas McCann to kick his third free of the contest and he obliged to ensure his side held a 0-10-0-09 lead at the midway point in extra-time.

The second period ebbed and flowed with McCann’s score still the difference. Enda Lynn dragged an attempt off the target and that would be his sides last proper attempt.

A minute into time added on at the end of the second period Cargin substitute Eunan Quinn settled the game with a fine shot that sailed over the bar.

Cargin: J McNabb (0-1), K O’Boyle, R Gribbin, Conan Johnston, J Crozier, K McShane, S O’Neill, P Shivers (0-3, 0-1f), G McCann, B Kelly, Conor Johnston (0-1), J Laverty, T McCann (0-3f), M McCann, T Shivers (0-1). Subs: J Carron for G McCann (23), J Gribbin for B Kelly (44), E Quinn (0-1) for T Shivers (47), D Johnston for Conan Johnston (50), B Kelly for R Gribbin (73), C Gribbin for P Shivers (77), R Devlin for S O’Neill (80+1).

Portglenone: K Mullan, R Delargy, K O’Kane, D McNicholl, C Magee, R Hagan, N Delargy, N McKeever (0-1), D McAleese (0-1m), F O’Kane, E Lynn (0-2), S Kelly, O Doherty (0-1), M Hagan, R Kelly (0-1f). Subs: A McAleese (0-2f) for S Kelly (37), R Convery for C Magee (37), S Byrne for R Kelly (50), K McKenna for F O’Kane (58), S Delargy for R Delargy (68).

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM SUNDAY’S FINAL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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SFC Final

Erin’s Own v Casements

3-00pm Sunday Corrigan Park

Erin’s Own Cargin are aiming for three-in-a-row as they take on a Casement’s Portglenone side hoping to break their duck when the South West rivals meet at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

Reigning champions Cargin will enter the game as firm favourites in the eyes of those who compile the odds but Ronan Devlin and his charges will be taking nothing for granted.

Casement’s got one monkey off their back when they defeated Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final after suffering defeat in the previous five semi-finals.

Possibly a record for the Casement’s but one they will be glad to forget about as they have finally knocked down the door to get the semi-final monkey off their backs.

Cargin are on a quest to add an elusive ‘three in a row’ and more than a few wearing the green will have already pocketed half dozen winnner’s medals and are on a quest to add more.

Casement’s are aiming to claim their first title after emerging as beaten finalists of 2005 and 2007 and they will be more than anxious to introduce the Padraig McNamee Cup to the Gaels of Portglenone.

Erin’s Own claimed their first title back in 1972 when they gained victory over Patrick’s Sarsfield’s in the final but the MacNamee Cup did not return again to their South West residence until 1995.

Cargin have emerged as the team to beat in the last decade with four wins in the last five years and success on Sunday would see them make it three in a row

Ronan Devlin, Fabien Muldoon, Kevin Doyle, and JC Devlin are the men in charge of the Toome side and have been working hard to prepare their side for Sunday’s decider and they have been fortunate that yhey have not had to deal with many injuries along the way.

Attendance at training has been excellent with one individual rumoured to have travelled over 100 miles to report at least once a week.

The Toome men progressed through the group stages and after a facile victory over Ahoghill in the quarter-finals they faced a stiffer challenge in the semi-final.

St Brigid’s had already recorded a league final win over Ronan Devlin’s side and this ensured they needed to raise their game in windy conditions at Dunsilly with a late Paul McCann goal enough to ensure a place in the final.

John Mc Keever, with Scotchy Hagen, Tommy Devlin and Adrian McKeever have been working hard to prepare their side for Sunday’s decider and there have been no reports of injury in the Casement’s camp.

Casements were held to a draw by Glenravel in the group stages and were tested by Moneyglass at Marian Hill before earning a four point victory.

They overcame a tough challenge against rejuvenated St. John’s in the semi-final before emerging 2-10 to 1-12 winners at Dunsilly but survived a last minute penalty claim.

Mc Keever’s side put the pain of those five consecutive semi-final defeats behind them as they recorded a resounding win over Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final in Toome to stride confidently into Sunday’s decider.

A big attendance is anticipated at the Corrigan park venue which is certain to be in superb shape and hopefully we will be treated to an entertaining final with both sides laced with players of quality.

There could be many key battles throughout the field with Gerard McCann and John Carron or Pat Shivers facing the threat posed by Niall Mc Keever and possibly Niall Delargy at mid-field.

The coming together of Jamie Gribbin and Fergal O’ Kane looks another tussle to savour as is how the Casement’s men cope with the threat always posed by the Mc Cann brothers, and Sean Og O’ Neill.

Cargin keeper John Mc Nabb rules supreme in both his kicking out and despatching free whilst his opposite number Kevin Mullan has relatively little experience at this level but has been sound since taking up the keeper’s jersey.

Mick McCann and his brother Tomas continue to have massive influences for the men from Toome and James Laverty and Justin Crozier add another layer of experience to a side with some emerging stars including Conhuir Johnston.

Ruairi Hagan, Fergal O’Kane, Deromt McAleese, Enda Lynn, Stephen Kelly and Oisin Doherty bring a wealth of talent to the Casement’s challenge as they face the formidable Erin’s own challenge.

Cargin will start Sunday’s decider as firm favourites and it is a title that they have earned but Casement’s have finally shaken off their semi-final hoodoo and this may allow them to play with the freedom that could see them push the champions all the way.

As reigning champions Erin’s Own prepare to face neighbours, Casement’s Portglenone in Sundays SFC Final at Corrigan, Cargin’s long serving defender, James Laverty shares his thoughts on the game with Paddy McIlwaine from the Saffron Gael.

Paddy: James how long have you been playing senior football for Cargin.

James: This will be my 16^th year playing Senior football for Cargin. I made my Senior debut in 2009 when I was 17

Paddy: What honour have you won with Erin’s Own

James: I’ve won 7 Senior football championships and 3 U21 Football championships with Cargin.

Paddy: How long did you play for the County.

James: I played Senior for the county for 11 years. Unfortunately no honours but it was always my ambition to play for Antrim and it was a great honour to play for my county.

Paddy: Cargin are going for three in a row on Sunday has that been talked about in the weeks leading up to the final.

James: No there’s been no talk of it. Previous championship wins will have no bearing on Sundays result so we are just focussed on bringing the McNamee back to Cargin.

Paddy: Ronan Devlin took over from Damien Cassidy and the transition from trainer to manager seems to have run smoothly. Tell me about Ronan, Fabian Muldoon, JC and Kevin Doyle and the part they have played in that transition.

James: Damien did a fantastic job with us and was always going to be a tough act to follow. The transition was helped as Ronan, JC and Kevin were all involved with the club/team with Damien. Fabian added a new voice to the team and has been hugely influential in guiding the team back to another final. The amount of work these men put in behind the scenes is incredible and probably isn’t appreciated enough. They leave no stone unturned and have given us every opportunity to push ourselves further.

Paddy: Cargin face Portglenone in Sunday’s final. A new opponent for you but a team you will never the less be familiar with. Tell me your thoughts on Portglenone and the players you will have to contain if you are to win?

James: There has never been much between ourselves and Portglenone and we expect Sunday to be no different. I’ve played with a number of them over the years with the county and they always produce quality players. The likes of Niall Delargy, Dermot McAlease, Niall McKeever and Oisin Doherty will cause any team problems. Portglenone are a young ambitious team and have proven this year they can step up when required. We fully expect to come up against our toughest test this year on Sunday.

Paddy: Who are the players who have stood out for you this year and what new players have emerged to stake a claim for a regular place in the side?

James: We’re very fortunate as a club to have a lot of young talent coming through. I could name a whole bunch of players putting their hand up for a starting place so hopefully Sunday we’ll see a few of them make their mark on the game.

Paddy: Add anything else you feel is relevant and your thoughts on how you think the game will go and what will be the factors that might influence it.

James: I think it’s fantastic for both clubs to reach this stage of the championship. Portglenone and ourselves have made massive strides both on and off the pitch in developing the clubs and community. Hopefully on Sunday both teams can go out and put on a great final.