28 September 2013
SFC final, St Galls 0.12, Cargin 0.11
St Galls retained their county title this afternoon in a sun soaked Ahoghill pitch. This was a very tight match throughout with the gap between the sides never more than 2 points.
The first half was something of a stop start affair, the majority of scores coming from frees, with CJ McGourty to the fore for St Galls. The two sides were very evenly matched and it was a late handpassed point from St Galls which gave the champions a slender half time lead.
Cargin may well look back ruefully on the second half as they definitely had chances to forge out a lead. This was especially true when, with the scores level at 0.5 each the Toomebridge men were awarded a penalty. In keeping with the modern trend keeper John McNabb came upfield to take the spot kick but Antrim keeper Chris Kerr made a great save. In the end it was to prove crucial.
From that point on St Galls began to grasp the game, driven by a superb second half performance from Sean Kelly, who hit a terrific point to open a 2 point lead. Michael Magill was having an impact and scored from play to bring the lead down to the minimum before Cargin equalised at 0.8 with less than 10 minutes to go.
St Galls restored their lead through Micky Pollock and with time running out they moved into possession mode, Cargin finding it hard to get their hands on the ball as time ran out. A rare mistake in the St Galls back line gifted Cargin a late chance of an equalising score but the shot was blocked.
In the hectic last few minutes Kevin McGourty saw the line with a straight red card, but overall the game was played in a competitive but sporting spirit.
We should also acknowledge the effort put in by St Mary's Ahoghill who put in a great effort in staging the final.