“The harshest red card you’ll ever see” – Cargin plan appeal after sealing quarter-final berth with St John’s victory

Conhuír Johnston was shown a straight red card moments after scoring a second goal for Cargin in their victory over St John’s, who also had Padraig Nugent dismissed

Antrim SFC Group One: St John’s 1-11 Cargin 4-15

Cargin boss Ronan Devlin has indicated that they will appeal the second half red card issued to Conhuír Johnston in Sunday’s 13-point win over St John’s at Corrigan Park.

The result, coupled with Dunloy’s win over Randalstown on Saturday, means the 2023 county finalists are both through to the quarter-finals.

However, as things stand, Johnston, who plundered two goals against the Johnnies, will miss the next game through suspension with Padraig Nugent also sent off after

He received his marching orders after beating Pearce Donnelly for a second time after claiming the rebound following a great save by the St John’s goalkeeper.

However, the pair became tangled on the ground and, following consultation with his umpires, referee Colm McDonald issued a straight red to Johnston, a decision Cargin strenuously contest.

“It is the harshest red card you ever see there and the video will hopefully prove it,” stated Devlin.

“He’s come off there and said he did nothing so we’ll see what the video looks like.

“One of the St John’s management came over and said ‘they’ve made a mess of that’ – I think it was the umpire who spoke to the referee, whether they have it in them to admit they’re wrong?

“That’s a different kettle of fish, but it is wrong – that’s certainly going to be appealed. I don’t see why the cub would miss a game when he didn’t do anything. There was a bit of afters when he scored the goal, but it is amazing how many times the second man is gets blamed.”

Cargin made the brighter start in the opening stages, but St John’s were the better team for the majority of the first half and, probably, deserved to be ahead at the break.

Tomás McCann (free), Sean O’Neill and Ronan Gribbin were all on target for Cargin early on while a two-point free from Paddy McBride got St John’s off the mark.

The Antrim ace raised two further white flags after a fine score from Sean Wilson, but they also hit a handful of wides midway through the first half.

Somewhat against the run of play, Cargin hit back as James Laverty played Johnston in for scoring opportunity. He’d ample time to pop over a point, but he fainted inside Jack Bohill and looked set to pass inside to Mick McCann, only to wrongfoot Donnelly and roll the ball into the net.

A second point from O’Neill and another free from Tomas McCann moved Cargin into a four-point lead before the hosts came fighting back in the final 10 minutes of the half.

A two-pointer from Conal McGlade and late points from Ryan McNulty and Conal Quinn had them level at the break, although Donnelly was called into action in stoppage time to prevent O’Neill from finding the net.

A free from goalkeeper John McNabb nudged the champions back in front on the restart, but McNulty palmed the ball beyond his reach after a pass across the face of goal from McBride as the Johnnies hit the front again.

A black card for Bohill left St John’s reduced to 14 for 10 minutes. Having initially weathered the period well with a point from Conor Adams, they were left reeling with the concession of two goals in as many minutes.

Indeed, Cargin were able to walk the ball into the net for their second goal with Donnelly stranded outfield as O’Neill and Benan Kelly set up Kevin O’Boyle for a tap in at the back post, although St John’s protested that the former Antrim star was in the square when the final ball was played.

Worse was to follow moments later when the McCann siblings set up Kelly for a classy goal and a free from Tomás left Cargin up by six before Padraig Nugent picked up a second booking just as Bohill returned to the pitch after his black card.

The gap was extended to nine when Johnston plundered his second goal of the games, but it was to be his last involvement.

O’Neill forced another great save late on from Donnelly while Cargin sub Jack Harney fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Toome men are two from two and will face Dunloy in their final outing with the winners and runner-up in Group One facing off against the top two from Group Four.

St John’s will be hoping to avoid the relegation play-off as when they face Randalstown in their final Group One outing.

St John’s scorers: Paddy McBride 0-4 (1tpf, 0-2fs), Ryan McNulty 1-1, Sean Wilson 0-1, Conal McGlade 0-1, Conal Quinn 0-1, Conor Adams 0-1.

Cargin scorers : Conhuír Johnston 2-1, Tomás McCann 0-6 (1tp, 0-3fs), Kevin O’Boyle 1-0, Benan Kelly 1-0, Sean O’Neill 0-3, John McNabb 0-2 (0-2fs), Ronan Gribbin 0-1, Mick McCann 0-1, Conan Johnston 0-1.