U16 Football League Final - Kickhams Vs Cargin
Monday, October 6, 2008
U16 SW Football League Final
5 October 2008
5 October 2008
Kickhams Creggan 2-16
Cargin 1-19
(aet)
Creggan twice had this final wrapped up but twice Cargin were allowed to get the scores they needed to draw the match both in normal time and extra time. Much to the annoyance of the Creggan players and support, quite how the referee found so much time to add on in normal and extra time only he knows.
The young Creggan lads dominated the opening exchanges on a perfect evening at Whitehill when they raced in to a five point lead through scores from Mark Russell, Conor McCann and three from the boot of Aidan McKeown. Cargin then turned things around and likewise they hit five points in a row to level the match.
Conor McCann nosed the Green & Gold ahead when the swung over another score but this was replied with by two points from the Toome boys who took the lead for the first time. Sean Smith then popped over a fine score to tie things up again but on the stroke of half time Cargin converted a free to leave the minimum between the sides.
H.T. Kickhams Creggan 0-07, Cargin 0-08
In to the second half and Cargin continued where they left off and recorded the first two scores to put the biggest daylight between the sides thus far. This was all tied up again soon enough though when a long free kick in to the Cargin area from Aidan McKeown was allowed to squirm around the box until it eventually found its way to the net with Conor McCann getting the vital touch. All square again!
Creggan’s tails were up at this stage and they piled on further pressure when Aidan McKeown added to his tally with another point and this was followed up by scores from Martin Johnstone and Pierce Kelly.
Cargin stemmed the flow somewhat by recording the next point but big Aidan once again slipped over a free kick to keep Creggan’s noses in front. The next two points were scored by Cargin to bring the game back to one point, but their momentum was lost when they got one of their players red carded for a crude challenge.
They young Creggan lads hammered home their now numerical advantage when big Martin and Aidan raised white flags to once again put 3 points between the sides with time more or less up. But it wasn’t….play continued and continued for another 5 minutes…..and Cargin knocked over three points before the referee blew for full time with the game a draw.
F.T. Kickhams Creggan 1-13, Cargin 0-16
With the light fading fast, the game moved in to extra time with two 10 minute halves to be played. Cargin, now with their full complement of 15 players back on the field started the more brightly and they raced in to a two point lead. These scores were pegged back with Aidan McKeown slotting two over and Tiernan McLarnon getting the other. Next came a goal breakthrough that should have been the platform for Creggan to claim the victory when a great burst through the middle of the Cargin defence by Conor McCann opened up the play. Conor slipped the ball to Matthew Nelson and he duly done the necessary by slamming to the net.
It was now a four point game and time was ticking away fast but Cargin got the goal that they needed when a shot for a point came off the uprights and landed in a the arms of a green jersey. Murtagh McKeague in nets was left with little chance as the ball was put through the Creggan net. By now the full 20 minutes had been played but the game was allowed to continue and Cargin kept going until they eventually found the equalising point to draw the match level. With this score the ref deemed the contest to be over and he blew the whistle to finish the game.
This was an excellent and exciting game of football and full credit must go to both teams and mentors, with the young lads giving it everything they had to try and win the match. The fact that the game was level on six different occasions bears testament to the closeness of these two sides and they must do it all again on Wednesday night at 7:30pm in Whitehill under lights. If the replay lives up to the endeavour and excitement of this game then the parish is in for another spectacle.
Best of luck lads…and bring it home this time!
Kickhams scorers: Aidan McKeown (0-08), Matthew Nelson (1-0) Conor McCann (1-02), Martin Johnstone (0-02), Mark Russell (0-01), Sean Smith (0-01), Pierce Kelly (0-01), Tiernan McLarnon (0-01).
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