Cargin keep Dunloy at bay in retaining Antrim football title

Erins Own, Cargin 2-10 Dunloy Cuchullains 0-11

Cargin retained the Antrim SFC title at Corrigan Park as goals in each half from Conhuir Johnston proved decisive to see them land their 12th county title and deny Dunloy their first in 87 years.

At crucial times in the game, the winners answered the stern questions that were being put to them by Dunloy, but were able ti implement their own game-plan, closing down avenues and got key scores at crucial stages.

It was typical of how Cargin have gone about their business in this championship, always trusting the process and finding their way through when they were tested to add to their title haul.

Despite this being their first senior football final in 82 years, Dunloy - well used to county final day in the other code - were far from overawed and after Tomás McCann kicked an early free for Cargin, Keelan Molloy hit back in kind.

Deaglan Smith then put them ahead as as their pace on the break was evident, but they came up the Cargin wall who were content to keep the ball and take the sting out of this game.

Conal Cunning did add to the Dunloy lead midway through the opening half with James Laverty hitting back immediately off a turnover.

Sean O'Neill levelled and Eoin O'Neill edged Dunloy back ahead but Cargin were then dealt a blow as Eunan Quinn, booked just six minutes before, was show red for taking out Dunloy goalkeeper Sean Doherty in the air on 21 minutes.

It wouldn't hit hem hard considering their keep-ball strategy around the middle and on 27 minutes, their patience paid off as a rapid break saw Sean O'Neill pass inside to Conhuir Johnston who displayed great compose to steady and poke to the net.

Dunloy did have the final say of the half with Kevin McQuillan tipping a Conal