20 September 2009
Reigning champions Creggan took a step nearer to retaining their title when they beat neighbours Cargin in Wednesday evening’s semi-final of the All County Minor Football Championship at Casement Park.
In what was a repeat of last year’s final Creggan were always the better team, though they went to sleep during the final quarter and could well have been caught had the Cargin forwards taken a couple of good goal chances which came their way.
After an early exchange of points Creggan began to take control of the game and points from Conor McCann, Aiden McKeown and Patrick McAuley followed by a goal from McKeown helped them to a 1-6 to 0-4 interval lead.
They stretched that lead to six in the opening minute of the second-half with a point from David McGuckin but after an exchange of points by Conor McCann and Cargin’s Enda Kennedy the Erin’s Own boys were thrown a lifeline with a scrambled goal from Ryan McKernan.
Good movement from highly influential full forward Hugh McNulty put Daniel McLarnon through for Creggan’s second goal on fifty-three minutes and when McNulty added a point soon afterwards it appeared to be all over bar the shouting.
However Creggan switched off completely at this stage and did not score again for a further fifteen minutes during which stage Cargin added points through Fergal Johnston and Donagh McKeever and alos missed a couple of very good goal chances into the bargain.
Despite having a five point cushion there were a few anxious moments for the big Creggan following near the end before David McGuckin eased any fears they may have had with a point in the final minute to seal a final place against Gortnamona in two weeks time.
CREGGAN – Murtagh McKeague, Niall Darragh, Richard Johnston, Patrick McLarnon, Shane McLarnon, Martin Johnston, Ferghal McGrenaghan, Aiden McKeown, Patrick McAuley, Matthew Nelson, Conor McCann, David McGuckin, Tiernan McLarnon, Hugh McNulty, Damian McLarnon.
CARGIN – Conor Ewart, Brian Devlin, Michael McCloskey, Ronan Devlin, Brendan Laverty, Donagh McKeever, Dermot McGuckin, James Laverty, John Carron, Jamie Kennedy, Jack Kelly, Ryan McKernan, Fergal Johnston, Enda Kennedy, Gareth McAuley.
