ACFL Div. 5 - Sarsfields Vs Kickhams
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
ACFL Div. 5
9 November 2008
Sarsfields 1-04
Kickhams Creggan 1-11
CHAMPIONS!!!
Creggan claimed the Division 5 title away to Sarsfields on Sunday with their 12th victory out of 13 matches played. Kickhams were sent out with the instructions to do their job and win their match and let other results elsewhere take care of themselves. News came through later that evening that Glenavy and O’Donnells had drawn against each other and this was the result that confirmed our league title.
The signs weren’t good on the morning of the match as at 11am the team had only gathered up 11 players. Phone calls were made and brown envelopes dished out and the team set out for Belfast with 16 players.
Pip O’Kane started out in goals for the visitors and after some early pressure from Sarsfields who took a one point lead, the co-manager ripped his hamstring kicking out the ball. Pip was heard to mutter “those f*@*in’ balls are heavier than in my day”, so 3 minutes in to the game hurling legend Chris Murray pulled on the gloves and stood between the timbers to make his debut. Big gloves to fill!!
Creggan began to get their act together and they managed to take control of the midfield third to supply the forward line with some ball. Benny Devlin got Creggan on the score board when he pointed after 10 minutes and he followed up a minute later with another score.
Benny was involved with all that was good in the forward line and when he was fouled in the square, the ref blew for a penalty which Big ‘Ja’ bursted to the net.
This goal was cancelled out by an opportunist strike by Sarsfields minutes later with a shot that gave Chris no chance of stopping. Not to be deflated though, Creggan continued to play the better football in extremely blustery, swirling conditions and Benny Devlin and a fine point from Aidan Maguire completed the Creggan first half scoring. Sarsfields tacked on a final score as the short whistle blew to end the first 30 minutes.
Half Time – Sarsfields 1-01, Kickhams Creggan 1-07
Playing in to very stiff breeze Creggan shot out of the blocks in the second half with Cathal Small banging over a pair of lovely points to extend the visitors lead. Sarsfields managed to get up the field and score a point of their own to keep them in the game, but Aidan Maguire once again found himself up at the business end of the pairc and he slotted over his second point of the day.
Creggan were well on top by this stage and controlling the game from all sectors of the field. Benny Devlin got back in on the scoring act when he popped over another brace to keep Kickhams ticking along.
With 15 minutes remaining Paul Nelson was floored by a shocking challenge straight to the chest which resulted in him taking no more part in the game. This was an extremely nasty and dangerous tackle that has no place in gaelic football and we wish Paul a full and speedy recovery.
With no subs on the visiting bench, Creggan played out the remainder of the game with 14 men and even with this handicap they managed to score two more points. Damian McLarnon and that man Devlin once again doing the honours.
Sarsfields made a late rally when they scored 2 points but it was all academic as Creggan ran out comfortable 7 point winners.
The news filtered through later on Sunday evening that Division 5 was secured and this put a satisfactory hat on the day’s victory. A big thanks are extended to Chris Murray, Philip O’Kane and Martin McCann (remember him?!) for stepping in to fill the breach and they all played a huge part in the important victory.
Kickhams Team – Pip O’Kane (Chris Murray), Paul Nelson, Sean McLarnon, Michael Dougan, Cathal Shannon, Henry McNulty, Aidan Maguire (0-02), Ryan Mullan (1-0), Terence McKeown, Ciaran McCartney, Benny Devlin (0-06), Cathal Small (0-02), Damian McLarnon (0-01), Martin McCann, Eunan McAteer.
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