Erin’s Own edge low-scoring Antrim football final

With many family connections intertwining both squads it was a nervous affair

Cargin are the 2018 Antrim football champions. Photograph: John McIlwaine/Inpho
Cargin are the 2018 Antrim football champions. Photograph: John McIlwaine/Inpho

Erin’s Own, Cargin 0-5 Creggan Kickhams 0-4

Erin’s Own, Cargin came out on top by a single score against parish rivals Creggan Kickhams in Sunday’s Antrim SFC final at Ahoghill - lifting their third title in four years and their eighth in all.

With many family connections intertwining both squads, it was a predictably nervous affair with the sides sharing just four scores in the opening half. Micheal Magill got Cargin off the mark with a fine effort in the second minute but the game produced few more memorable moments.

A Kevin Small brace had Creggan in the lead on 18 minutes before Ciaran Bradley ensured the sides would go in level at the break.

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The sides were still level midway through the second half when Martin Johnston and Conor McCann wiped out scores from Cargin's Tomas McCann and Bradley, and a Michael McCann point on 52 minutes proved to be the winner for the Erin's Own men in a low-scoring encounter.

Erin's Own: J McNabb; D McKeever, K O'Boyle, J Laverty; T Scullion, J Crozier, M Kane; G McCann, M McCann (0-1); J Carron, J Gribben, C Bradley (0-2); E McGrogan, M Magill (0-1), T McCann.

Subs: K Close for J Carron (38 mins), D Johnston for E McGrogan (42 mins), G McCorley for K O’Boyle (47 mins), K McShane for G McCann (50 mins).

Creggan Kickhams: O Kerr; A Maguire, R Johnston, Conor McCann; S Maguire, T McCann, R McCann; Conor McCann (0-1), K Rice; O McLarnon, K Small (0-2, 0-1 free), F Burke; M Rodgers, C Small, L Quinn.

Subs: M Johnston (0-1) for M Rodgers (12 mins), T McAleer for O McLarnon (38 mins), D McGuckian for F Burke (53 mins), P Coey for K Rice (56 mins).

Referee: K Doherty (Rasharkin).