All County U21 Championship - Kickhams Vs Cargin
Sunday, May 31, 2009
All county U21 Championship Final
29 May 2009
Kickhams Creggan 0-13
Cargin 1-09
Kickham's Creggan dethroned Erin's Own Cargin in a thrilling Under 21 football final on Friday night.
Played in perfect conditions, Cargin dominated first half proceedings to lead on a score-line of 0-08 to 0-04 at half-time. They may however, rue a host of missed scoring opportunities having lost by just a point at the long whistle.
It was this profligacy in front of the posts that kept Creggan within touching distance of Cargin and they would have not been too despondant going in at the break only four points adrift. The Creggan point takers in the first half were Aidan McKeown (2), Hugh McNulty and a Leigh Martin free.
Some stern talking by Paul, Killian and Brian was dished out and a few home truths were hammered home as to what was needed in the second 30 minutes to claim this Championship.
Creggan opened the second half in more determined fashion and managed to close the gap to just 2 points. It was vital that Creggan wrestle control of the match straight from the whistle, and this is exactly what they did as Leigh fired over straight from the throw in and this was followed up within minutes by an Odhran McLarnon point. Game on!
The stage looked set for a bristling finale, but Erin's Own seemed to have killed off the Creggan comeback when they goaled to stretch their lead into a 5 point advantage.
Kickham's were not to be denied though, as they have been instilled with this never say die attitude that they wore on their sleeves throughout the second thirty minutes. Once the tide had turned, Cargin were simply unable to stem the flow of attacks.
Creggan kept picking off points and never lost their focus despite an Odhran McLarnon penalty opportunity being tipped on to and rebounding to safety off the post. Gradually the five point lead was over-hauled through the boots of Hugh McNulty, Odhran McLarnon (2), Leigh Martin, and Hugh again, and then incredibly in the closing stages they led for the first time as Leigh stroked over what was to prove to be the winner.
The defending champions did have an opportunity to level things with a relatively simple free chance in injury time, but the ball tailed to the right and wide to the delight of ecstatic Creggan supporters. Having won last year's Minor championship and now being the Antrim Under 21 champions, things do seem to be looking up for this rejuvenated club.
Kickhams Team - Peter Graham, Ferghal McGrenaghan, Ricky Johnston, Aidan Maguire, Dermot McCann (Capt.), Tommy McCann, Paul Nelson, Seamus Allen, Aidan McKeown (0-02), Sam Maguire, Odhran McLarnon (0-04), Leigh Martin (0-04 2 frees), Conor McCann, Hugh McNulty (0-03), Martin Johnston.
Kickhams Mentors - Killian Conlon, Paul McIvor, Brian Denvir. The influence of these three men can in no way be underestimated...well done lads and an huge thanks!!!
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