24 August 2009
County champions St Gall’s will meet Erins Own Cargin in the semi-final of the Antrim Senior Football championship after both sides survived mild scares in their respective quarter finals at the weekend. St Gall’s were pushed hard during the opening half of their clash with neighbours St John’s and did not hit the front until the last minute of the first half when Anto Healey punched the ball to the Johnnies net.
After the change of ends the champions began to gain control and with Kieran McGourty, Kevin Niblock, CJ McGourty and Darren O’Hare adding points they went on to secure a semi-final spot with a 1-11 to 0-6 win as the Johnnies managed only one point in the second-half.
Cargin actually trailed by a point at half-time in their game with second division Gortnamona at Creggan. The Toome men, who had looked most impressive when beating Moneyglass in their opening game, were at sixes and sevens in the first half and boosted by a Dee McErlain goal from the a penalty the West Belfast boys lead by 1-5 to 0-7 at half time.
The second-half saw the old order restored as Cargin took complete control throughout the field. Ciaran Close got the fightback underway when he finished a fine five man move with a goal and substitute Mark Kelly added a second as they pulled away to win by 2-18 to 1-6 and set up a keenly awaited clash with St Galls in the semi-final.
Casements Portglenone became the first side into the semi-final when they beat last season’s Intermediate champions Ballymena by 2-16 to 2-9, though the win was more decisive that the scoreline would suggest. Portglenone had much the better of the opening half and goals from Graham and McCrickard saw them take a 2-4 to 0-3 lead at the interval.
Portglenone continued to hold the upper hand after the break and stretched their advantage and struck a series of good points to open up twelve point lead at one stage. To their credit Ballymena kept battling to the end and late goals from Liam Cassley and Joe Rafferty was some reward for their efforts.
Portglenone will take on the winners of the other quarter final between St Brigid’s and Dunloy which will be played at Casement Park tonight at 8pm
