Cargin come good in extra-time after topsy-turvy final

Erin's Own, Cargin 1-18 St Mary's, Aghagallon 3-09 (AET)

A strong finish saw Cargin regain the Antrim SFC title after extra time to deny Aghagallon their first Padraig MacNamee Cup success in an absorbing game at a wet Corrigan Park.

The Toome outfit battled back in normal time, but it was Aghagallon who forced the additional period and in the second period of this, the momentum was with Cargin as they found the answers.

After a hugely disappointing showing in last year's final, Aghagallon's intentions were to get off on the right foot and they did just that with the long ball - that would prove to be a huge weapon in the opening half with wind advantage - claimed by Ruairi McCann for a mark he pointed.

After Pat Shivers levelled, a pair of Gareth Magee points had St Mary's in front, but Cargin began to get into a groove with Tomás McCann (free), Shivers and substitute Benen Kelly with his first touch edging them in front.

But that long ball would pay dividends for Aghagallon on 20 minutes as a sideline was pumped into Adam Loughran who caught and finished expertly.

After Magee pointed a free, they would have their second goal on 24 minutes as another long ball found McCann who buried the chance and another Magee score opened a seven-point gap.

Cargin looked shellshocked, but managed to narrow the gap before the break with pointed frees from Shivers and McCann leaving Aghagallon's lead at 2-5 to 0-6 at the interval.

It seemed Aghagallon were well on their way when their third goal arrived two minutes after the restart as Ciaran Magennis made a break with the ball squirting free for McCann to finish to the empty net.

Yet Cargin didn't panic and worked their way back in well as they chipped away at the lead with the next five