U16 Football League Final Replay - Kickhams Vs Cargin
U16 SW Football League Final Replay
8 October 2008
Kickhams Creggan 1-10
Cargin 2-08
Creggan returned to Whitehill on Wednesday night for this replay hoping to finally kill off the challenge of Cargin and win the SW Antrim U16 League. Unfortunately for the young lads, it was not to be, and they were eventually defeated by the minimum of margins.
The match took on the same characteristics of its predecessor when both teams had periods of dominance throughout the game. One team would have a lot of the ball and forge ahead only for the possession to swing the other way and the opposing team counter with scores of their own.
The first half play ebbed and flowed but both teams were guilty of profligacy in front of goal with an abundance of wide’s forming the dominant pattern. Quite why that was the case is mystifying as the shooting in the first match was of the highest standard….perhaps it was nerves.
The half time score ended with the teams level 0-04 to 0-04 with Creggan’s points coming from Conor McCann, Tiernan McLarnon and two from Aidan McKeown.
In to the second half and Cargin got off to a flying start when a long ball in to the Creggan square was punched to the net leaving Murtagh McKeague helpless. Sean Smith and Tiernan McLarnon traded points with Cargin to keep them ticking along though.
Creggan then enjoyed their best period of the game when they dominated possession in the midfield area which they used to enable points to be popped over. Martin Johnstone hit a pair of beauties with Shane Mclarnon and Aidan Mckeown also adding one apiece.
This now put Creggan one point to the good, but more was to follow when Fintan Burke found himself in front of goals and with only the keeper to beat he smashed it to the net. Surely now, four points ahead and with only minutes left Creggan had one hand on the trophy.
Not so, as Cargin immediately raced up the field and put through the Creggan net. They then got the next score which tied the game up one more time and the next possession was going to be crucial. Unfortunately for the young Creggan boys, Cargin got control of the ball and worked the point that ultimately turned out to be the winner.
The final whistle blew to end this titanic contest with heartbreak for Kickhams. Congratulations must go to Cargin though as it takes two quality teams to produce 140 minutes (not counting the added time from the first match…still bitter ;o) ) of exciting, end to end football. Creggan U16s can take immense pride in their performances this year and they let no-one down over these two matches.