ACFL Div. 4 - Kickhams Vs Eire Og

Monday, March 9, 2009

ACFL Div. 4
8 March 2008

Kickhams Creggan 1-10
Eire Og 0-04

Creggan opened their Division 4 league campaign with a comfortable win against Eire Og at Páirc Uí Ciceam on Sunday afternoon. Playing in this league for the first time, it was important to get off to a good start and get league points banked as early as possible in the season.

The toss was won and Creggan decided to play with the aid of the considerabe breeze in the first half which proved to be the correct decision as they controlled the game from the first whistle. Eire Og struggled to get any amount of ball in to their forwards and most of the game was played out in the Creggan half. Midfield was dominated by Teddy and Paul Nelson who had a good game in what was an unfamiliar position for him. Leigh Martin and Ciaran McCartney found space with ease up front and points were popped over in regular fashion.

Half Time: Kickhams Creggan 0-08, Eire Og 0-02

The second half was expected to be more of a contest with the visitors having the breeze at their backs. Long balls were anticipated to be launched in to the Creggan back line but this tactic was not taken up by the Belfast men, though needless to say Ronan McAuley would have mopped them up as he was switched to full back for the second 30 minutes.

Creggan won the second half and again controlled the play even though the scoring was reduced due to the stiff breeze. The home side's goal came from a well placed penalty from Leigh Martin after a foul in the small square. Eire Og lost their discipline as the game wore on and a raft of yellow cards were produced culminating in a red for their midfielder.

It was a good opening display from the Division 4 team and it was pleasing for the new management team of the  Johnston brothers, Mickey and Packie to kick start their managerial careers with a win.

Next up is an away trip to Lamh Dhearg on Sunday 15th March which will present a much sterner challenge for the lads but certanly one that they will not fear.

Kickhams Team: Daniel Bateson, Daniel McCann, Paul Russell, Fergal McGrenaghan, Cathal Shannon, Ronan McAuley, Michael McCann, Terence McKeown, Paul Nelson, Cathal Small, Leigh Martin (Michael Dougan), Eunan McAteer, Ciaran McCartney (Benny Devlin), Martin McCann (Michael Sweeney), Clement McAteer (Gerard McLarnon).