Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC final
Cargin 1-18 Aghagallon 3-9 AET
Cargin are champions of Antrim once more following a three-point defeat of Aghagallon in a thrilling decider in horrible conditions at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
Both sets of players deserve immense credit for serving up a great spectacle despite the incessant rain as Cargin battled back from being eight points down early in the second half to gain the lead only for Oisin Lenehan to land an outrageous point to force extra-time.
Cargin’s experience and know-how in big Championship games was telling as they pulled clear in the second period of extra-time. The Toome men have enjoyed some great days at Corrigan Park, but rarely have they had to dig as deep to earn a victory.
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Aghagallon, first time senior finalists in 2021, had one hand on the Padraig McNamee Cup, after Ruairi McCann plundered his second goal in the opening minutes of the second half.
Crucially, St Mary’s only added two more points in the half as Mick McCann’s goal helped complete the comeback as Erin’s Own reeled in their opponents.
Cargin have now won six Antrim senior titles in eight years, but Aghagallon threatened to cause a huge upset and were full value for their five-point half-time lead.
They gained huge success in hitting long ball into full-forward McCann, who was out in front of Justin Crozier in the early exchanges with Pat Shivers also out in front of Jamie Lamont at the other end.
The sides were level at 0-3 each after the opening quarter before substitute Benen Kelly fisted a point to move Cargin ahead.
However, they conceded their first goal when a quick sideline from Jack Lenehan found Adam Loughran in space and the centre-forward drilled a low shot into John McNabb’s net.
Four minutes later, McNabb was picking the ball out of the net once again as Aghagallon went direct once more.
This time is was Eunan Walsh’s excellent pass inside to McCann and, despite being swung around by Crozier, the Aghagallon attacker finished in style to give his side a two-goal cushion.
Midfielder Gerard McCann was eventually called on to provide additional support for the Cargin defence and a free from Shivers cut the gap to five at the break.
Yet, Cargin were on the ropes when Aghagallon struck for their third goal two minutes into the second half.
Walsh was involved again before Ciaran Magennis slipped the ball inside to McCann, who struck his foot out to divert it past McNabb.
Holding a 3-5 to 0-6 lead, Audi Kelly’s men were on the cusp of an historic first senior title, but they were soon pegged back by a Cargin side who refused to panic.
The Toome side hit five unanswered points via Tomas McCann (two frees), Paul McCann, Jamie Gribbin and McNabb (45).
Gareth Magee halted the momentum briefly with a well-taken score from play, but Mick McCann rose to collect a high ball from brother Tomas and buried it past Damian O’Hagan to leave just a point between the sides.
Another 45 from McNabb levelled the game and captain James Laverty kicked a stunning point from play to nudge Cargin ahead.
Now, with only stoppage time to play, Aghagallon had to chase the game, but substitute Oisin Lenehan held his nerve to fire over a cracking point to force extra-time.
The first period of extra-time finished all-square with Shivers replying to a Magee free with a classy effort from play.
Perhaps it was Cargin’s experience or greater strength-in-depth or a combination of both, but Erin’s Own were clearly the better side in the second period of extra-time.
Kevin O’Boyle and Tomas McCann hounded every man in an Aghagallon jersey like they were chasing a first county Championship.
Pauric Magennis briefly edged St Mary’s ahead, but Cargin finished with a rally of four unanswered points.
Tomas McCann converted another free before Shivers landed his fifth of the game, his fourth from play. Kelly fisted another before Sean O’Neill landed the insurance point in added time.
Having scored an incredible six goals in the semi-final and final, alas Aghagallon couldn’t plunder another one as they fell to a second successive defeat in the Antrim SFC final.
Cargin will return to Corrigan Park next month to face the champions of Donegal in the Ulster Club series buoyed by what might just be their most memorable Championship success of all.
Cargin scorers: Pat Shivers 0-5 (0-1f),Tomas McCann 0-5 (0-5fs), Michael McCann 1-0, John McNabb 0-2 (0-2 45s), Benen Kelly 0-2, Jamie Gribbin 0-1, Paul McCann 0-1, James Laverty 0-1, Sean O'Neill 0-1.
Aghagallon scorers: Ruairi McCann 2-1 (0-1M), Gareth Magee (0-6 (0-4 fs), Adam Loughran 1-0, Oisin Lenehan 0-1, Pauric Magennis 0-1.
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