All County U21 Football Championship - Kickhams Vs St. Pauls
U21 Football Championship – Quarter Final
30 May 2008
Kickhams Creggan 0-06
St. Pauls 0-15
Creggan exited the U21 Championship at the quarter final stage to Belfast side St. Pauls on Friday night. It was an even first half with Creggan going 2 points up with scores from Cathal Small and Leigh Martin before St. Pauls recorded their first point of the evening. Odhran McLarnon restored the home sides two point advantage but the Belfast side ended the half stronger by notching three points without reply to go in at the break a point to the good.
Creggan had to re-shuffle their defence early on when Declan Smith took a heavy challenge and had to be replaced by Cathal Shannon. Let’s hope it isn’t a serious knee injury and Declan will be back playing soon.
Half Time Kickhams Creggan 0-03, St. Pauls 0-04
In truth Creggan didn’t perform at all in the second half and St. Pauls were the more dominant side for the remainder of the match. They kicked over four points in a row before Thomas McCann gave Creggan a glimmer of hope of getting back in to the game by raising a white flag. St. Pauls answered this though by adding a further brace of points. Credit to the Creggan lads though as their heads didn’t drop and they kept the intensity up to try and make something happen with Odhran McLarnon slotting over a point.
St. Pauls though, through winning most balls in centre field, eased further ahead by claiming the next 3 points to effectively end the game as a contest. There was still time for 2 penalties though and surprisingly both of which were missed. Leigh Martin striking the post with his and Cathal Shannon followed up the rebound by sticking the ball over the bar. Pater Graham saved well from the visitors spot kick and likewise they got a point off the rebounded ball.
Creggan can take heart from a decent U21 campaign after recording two victories in what is a very young team. Most of this side still have 2-3 years left at this level so the signs are good for the future at the U21 grade.
Best for Creggan on the night were Paul Nelson and captain Caolan McCann in defence, and Leigh Martin never gave up all game in attack.
Kickhams Team - Peter Graham, Paul Russell, Sean McLarnon, Paul Nelson, Aidan Maguire (Hugh McNulty), Caolan McCann, Declan Smith (Cathal Shannon(0-01)), Dermot McCann, Seamus Allen, Paddy McAuley, Thomas McCann (0-01), Sam Maguire, Cathal Small (0-01), Leigh Martin (0-01), Odhran McLarnon (0-02)
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