Antrim SFC Final: Holders Cargin dash Dunloy's hopes of first title in 87 years

Fourteen-man Cargin dashed Dunloy's hopes of a first Antrim Senior Football title in 87 years by earning a 2-10 to 0-11 win at Corrigan Park.

Conhuir Johnston hit a goal in either half with the introductions of Michael McCann and Pat Shivers proving crucial.

Cargin trailed 0-3 to 0-2 when full-forward Eunan Quinn was sent off.

But a Johnston goal helped the holders lead 1-3 to 0-5 at half-time and while Dunloy regained the lead, Johnston hit the net again to put Cargin in control.

The Toomebridge men's victory was their seventh Antrim title in nine seasons and their 12th overall.

Dunloy, after seeing their hopes of a fifth straight Antrim hurling crown end last week, started with seven county hurlers and while they possibly edged the first half in possession terms despite being a point in arrears at the interval, the arrival of Shivers and in particular, the wily McCann, saw the Erin Own's outfit take control.

Cargin full-forward Quinn picked up an early yellow card for a late challenge and then saw red in the 23rd minute after barging Dunloy keeper Sean Doherty into the net with a high and reckless challenge.

Cargin clinched a seventh Antrim Football title in nine seasons despite having full-forward Eunan Quinn red carded in the first half

Dunloy unable to exploit 'extra' man

But in truth, Dunloy were unable to exploit the 'extra' man as Cargin's patient possession game wore them down in the second half, with 35th-minute substitute McCann orchestrating matters in the middle third of the field.

McCann's quick thinking set up Johnston's crucial 51st-minute goal which put Cargin 2-6 to 0-8 ahead, with the 38-year-old winning a challenge with Deaglan Smith after a long kickout before immediately releasing the centre half-forward, who cut inside Conor Kinsella before slotting under Dunloy keeper Doherty.

Shivers, who wasn't risked from the start because of a leg injury, also made a major impact by hitting 0-3 after his arrival, which included two of Cargin's four injury-time points.

Dunloy's pacey direct method did cause Cargin some trouble in the first half with one of the Cuchullainns' hurling contingent, Seaan Elliott, causing them particular problems with his running in the middle third of the field.

Elliott and brother Nigel lined out despite the death during the week of their grandmother Mary, whose memory was acknowledged in a minute's silence before the throw-in.

Their fellow county hurlers Keelan Molloy and Conal Cunning were among the Dunloy scores as they led 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

After James Laverty blasted over a Cargin response, Dunloy carved out a goal chance but full-forward Kevin McQuillan tried to find a colleague instead of driving into the square and Paul McCann was able to make an interception.

Seaan Elliott was one of seven Antrim hurlers who started for Dunloy in the county football decider

Dunloy then squandered another goal chance after Sean O'Neill have levelled for Cargin, with Karl Fitzpatrick's shot being clocked, although Eoin O'Neill did manage to gather the rebound before firing the Cuchullainns ahead once more.

By that stage full-forward Quinn had departed but undaunted, Cargin notched their goal with Sean O'Neill charging upfield before releasing to Johnston, who kept his composure to roll the ball underneath Doherty.

Dunloy responded with the next three points, McQuillan before the break and two Cunning efforts after the resumption, but that was the last time they led as Michael McCann's savvy play came to the fore following his arrival.

The veteran's brother Tomas levelled in the 42nd minute but before scores from the towering Shivers and Sean O'Neill put Cargin two ahead.

A Molloy free cut the margin to one on 50 minutes but within 60 seconds Cargin had struck the decisive blow as substitute McCann's quick free released Johnston to net his second goal, although the scorer still had plenty to do to make his way past Conor Kinsella before slotting past Doherty.

Placed-ball efforts from Cunning and Seaan Elliott cut Cargin's lead to two as six minutes of injury-time were announced but rather than anxiously looking for the finish line, the holders hit four straight points as Shivers and Tomas McCann were both on target twice, which rendered Deaglan Smith's concluding score irrelevant.

SENIOR COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION

Saturday

Derry SFC quarter-finals

Lavey 1-13 Newbridge 0-18

Glen 2-11 Kilrea 0-9

Fermanagh SFC quarter-final

Kinawley 1-15 Belnaleck 2-11

Armagh SFC quarter-final

Clann Eireann 1-9 Clan na Gael 0-14

Donegal SFC semi-final

Gaoth Dobhair 3-9 Sean MacCumhaills 0-11

SUNDAY

Antrim SFC final

Cargin 2-10 Dunloy 0-11

Donegal SFC semi-final

Naomh Conaill 0-11 St Eunan's 0-9

Cavan SFC semi-finals

Kingscourt 1-12 Ramor United 1-8

Crosserlough 0-14 Gowna 1-18

Monaghan SFC semi-finals

Corduff 1-6 Scotstown 1-13

Inniskeen 2-16 Clontibret 2-12

Armagh SFC semi-final

Madden 0-14 Crossmaglen 1-17

Derry SFC quarter-finals

Slaughtneil 1-10 Bellaghy 1-8

Magherafelt v Ballinascreen, Owenbeg, 17:45.

Fermanagh SFC quarter-final

Erne Gaels 0-11 Ederney 1-7

Down SHC semi-finals

Portaferry 2-18 Ballygalget 2-9

Ballycran 2-20 Liatroim 2-17

Tyrone SHC Final

Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh 2-6 Eire Og Carrickmore 1-15