Fixtures & Results 2011 - O'Cahan Cup

O'Cahan Cup
26 Jun 2011


South West Football Champions 2011

Rasharkin's senior footballers returned the O'Cahan Cup to Dreen for the third time when they defeated Erins Own Cargin in an enthralling encounter played in front of a sizeable crowd at Portglenone on Sunday past. Ironically the Toome side were the opposition and O'Cahan Park provided the venue the last time St.Mary's captured this trophy some twenty nine years ago.

The Dreen men have displayed some great performances this season and are currently sitting third at the summit of the Antrim Football League Division One. They have defeated Glenravel, Aghagallon and Portglenone enroute to this decider, where as, their Lough shore opponents seen off the challenges of St.Enda's, Ahoghill and Moneyglass in their earlier outings. This will be the second meeting of these two teams already this season, Erins Own winning by two injury time points in their league fixture back in May in Toome. However, this game would be a good insight for both clubs who were drew against each other in the preliminary round of the senior football championship on 7th August.

The game was two minutes old when Rasharkin made their mark through Johnny McAleese, the ever dependable forward cracked over a forty yard strike following a pin point pass from Thomas Doherty. The same player double his sides lead when he fired over an impressive long range free out on the wing from a similar position. Cargin's response was quick when their centre forward Ciaran Close obliged from the resultant kick out.

Close had the sides level a minute later when he raised the white flag following a through ball from James Laverty. St Mary's vice captain and roaming half forward Brendan Etherson led by example, he nudged his side in front once more after nine minutes after a twenty yard solo finishing over the Cargin crossbar.

As the game entered the second quarter both sides squandered opportunities and the wides tally began to climb. It wasn't until the twenty second minute when Ciaran Close got a hat trick of points, this one from the set piece. Rasharkin went in at half time in front by the narrowest of margins when corner forward Decky McKay split the posts from a very acute angle. Half time score 0-4 to 0-3 in favour of the Dreen men.

Cargin introduced Tomas McCann and Gerard O'Boyle at half time to give them a much needed lift, however, Rasharkin hit the ground running at the start of the second half when within ten seconds the towering midfielder Benny Hasson cut through the Cargin defence. He gave his side a four point lead when he despatched the ball low into the corner of the Cargin net beyond the advancing net minder John McNabb. McAleese added fuel to the fire when he watched his effort fly between the posts on the fourth minute of the second half. The Cargin centre back Justin Crozier tried to stem the tide when he pegged one back for his side two minutes later but back came St Marys when Etherson was to get his name on the score sheet again and restore a five point cushion. Cargin's second half substitution Gerard O'Boyle made his impression when he punished Rasharkin's indiscipline at the back slotting over a free after twelve minutes.

Johnny McAleese cancelled that score when he converted two minutes later. The momentum swung in Rasharkin's favour when they landed their second major on eighteen minutes. John McNabb pulled off a strike from Joey Quinn only to send the ball into the path of supporting corner back Michael Hasson who made no mistake when he smashed the ball to the back of the Cargin net to catapult Rasharkin into an eight point lead. Cargin's Ciaran Close who worked hard throughout the game got his just rewards when he converted his fourth point on twenty minutes but it was too little too late. St Mary's sensed victory and confidence levels were sky high Joey Quinn and Brendan McMullan clipped over two magnificent points apiece to ensure victory. Gerard O'Boyle got a consolation point three minutes from time. Full time St.Mary's 2 - 09 Erin's Own 0 - 07.

There was no disputing the want by St Marys in this fixture as they led from the start of the game to the end. They had brilliant displays from all over the field, Donal McLernon in goal, Sean Hasson, Connor Gribben, Conor Hasson and Michael Hasson, along with Duirmuid Quinn were the pick of the defence. Brendan Hasson and Cathal Mooney were supreme in the middle as upfront Brendan Etherson, Alan McNeill, Johnny McAleese and Brendan McMullan worked tirelessly.

Cargin, the usual recipients of the O'Cahan Cup, can feel proud of the efforts from John McNabb, Kevin O'Boyle, Tony Scullion, Marty Kane, Ciaran Close, James Laverty and Gerard O'Boyle.

Rasharkin: Donal McLernon, Cahir O'Kane, Sean Hasson, Michael Hasson (1-0), Conor Hasson, Duirmuid Quinn, Thomas Doherty, Cathal Mooney and Benny Hasson (1-0), Brendan Etherson (0-2), Raymond O'Boyle, Alan McNeill, Declan McKay (0-1), Johnny McAleese (0-4) and Brendan McMullan (0-1).

Subs used: Joey Quinn (0-1), Connor Gribben, Ryan Doherty and Paddy Hasson.

Cargin: John McNabb, Kevin O'Boyle, Gerard McCann, Donagh McKeever, Tony Scullion, Justin Crozier (0-1), Martin Kane, John Carron and Conor McLarnon, Fergal Johnston, Ciaran Close (0-4), Enda McGroggan, James Laverty, Paul McCann and Donal McKeever.

Subs used: Gerard O'Boyle (0-2), Thomas McCann and Brian McCann

Referee: Sean McAtamney (Tir na nOg)