Gerry McEvoy - Adelaide, South Australia 29/11/04
Subject: ''Aaron Douglas"

I would like to congratulate Aaron Doulas for getting Man of the Match, keep up all the hard work and your dreams will come true.

Good luck to the team too.

From his Uncle Gerard,

in Adelaide South Australia.

Steven Windy Miller - Hawaii 27/08/04
Subject: ''From g'day to Aloha"

aloha everyboby,

this is windy millar here dropping a line to say hello from Hawaii on my way home. Just thought we'd have a wee holiday on our way back, next stop Las Vegas where it's 45* of heat and sun, well hope all teams r doing well and Gatlin what's the craic? do you not do any football results anymore?

All da best

Mr & Mrs. Windy Millar

Aidan Kelly - Belfast 08/07/04
Subject: ''Senior Hurling Championship Report"

Having read the above report, I am somewhat disappointed at the manner in which the reporter portrayed the performance of Micko Herron of Lamh Dearg.

It gave the impression that his St. Johns marker, my colleague Ronan Heenan, may have had a poor game. In defence of Wee Ron – I felt he was one of our better players who played his typically aggressive game and feel that this must be highlighted to those who may not have attended the game but will have read the match report.

Needless to say, he will now probably go and get roasted or sent off in the away fixture.

PS I’m looking for a pay-rise hence the email.

Yvonne O'Donnell - Belfast 06/07/04
Subject: ''St. John's Camogs"

Good luck to St. John's camogs this year, who are being looked after by Aidan 'eeny' Kelly, who is putting in a lot of hard work with the camogs and has four of his camogs playing on the senior Antrim team.

St. John's hurlers need to either buck up there ideas or hang up there boots, any camogie team in Antrim would beat them at this stage.

a true supporter.

Gareth Clarke - USA 28/06/04
Subject: ''Clarkie on tour (yet again!)"

alrite lads!

hope everything is well and training is going to plan, thought i'd email the lads before they play the hurling c'ship against the dhearg and wish them luck! especially hugo kennedy, who i never fell out with!!!!hope you and gatlin can stay injury free!!!!!haha!!

good luck lads, hope you's put a good run together.

football is going well over here, beat Galway in the first game and lost on thursday night there in the second. if we win the next two games we play in "the play offs" at Gaelic Park NYC. would be some craic!

good luck to the u21's in the c'ship and to the footballers in the rest of their campaign. young grievesy is coming up to stay for a while so gotta go stock up on food.......and more food! and a wee bita Magners!

see you all sometime in October,

slan

clarkie

Johnnies abu!!!!!

Brendan Mackin - Belfast 13/06/04
Subject: ''There's games in the 40 year old (under)dog yet!"

I would like to inform Conor 'STRETCH 20 TIMES A MATCH' Gannon that I, Brendan Mackin, cannot represent St. John's in Underdogs because I have had a very successful County career, but maybe the Over 40's now might need my help!!!!!!!!!!!

BRENDAN MACKIN

Conor Gannon - Belfast 03/05/04
Subject: ''Mackin's no Underdog"

After Brendan Mackin's superbly taken goal and all-round great performance against All Saints Ballymena on Friday night I think the club should enter him as the official candidate for the new Underdogs programmmmmmmmm.......

See below for details.

“Underdogs” – TG4’s hugely popular reality documentary series returns and this year they mean business.

After a hugely successful series that saw the Underdogs give Dublin the fight of their life, the Underdogs are back with a vengeance and this year they will be going up against Kerry.

So the search is on for this years Underdogs panel. Anyone who has never played senior county football at league or championship level is Underdog material. They will be offered the chance of a lifetime. A chance to be trained by three legends of the game. A chance to take on a senior county side and a chance to show their county what they’ve been missing.

Ulster's Provincial trial will be held at the following date and locations:

ULSTER – Saturday June 12th – Oliver Plunkett Park Crossmaglen

Anyone interested in applying for the Underdogs must do so on-line at: www.tg4.ie and click on the Underdogs logo on the home page. All details must be filled out in full, and should the application be successful a member of the Underdogs production team will be in touch with a specific time for their trial. APPLY NOW!

Dominic Adams - Belfast 21/04/04
Subject: ''Johnnies"

Just logged on for first time - an maith ar fad.

Why no mention of the under 10s winning the Jack McCartan for second year in a row?

Can we have some photos of the camogie teams?

Keep up the good work

Slán Dominic

Joanne Crummey - U.S.A. 21/04/04
Subject: ''Hi from U.S.A."

Hello there. This is Joanne Crummey, just stopping by the site to say hi to everyone.

I was so glad that I got to be at this years annual dinner. It was a great night. Hats off to all that helped to organise it.

Conor, you've done a great job with this web site.

Hope everyone is doing well in ol' Belfast. Gaelic and Camogie training has started here and the tempature is climbing as we head into another hot hot summer. You've got the love it. The American Gaelic Championships are being held in Denver Colorado this year. I will be heading there for that. So if anyone has a long weekend off at the end of Sept. give me a shout. I might see you there.

Until next time, don't do anything I wouldn't do. That doesn't narrow it down too much!!!!

Slan

Joanne

Tony Mc Mullen - Belfast 19/04/04
Subject: ''Mary Mc Mullen perpetual cup"

Kildare camogie team play Antrim in Corrigan Park on Saturday April 24 @ 4.00p.m.

Ernie and his family hope to see all his old friends in the club that evening.

Tony Mc Mullen

Paul Collins - Belfast 05/03/04
Subject: ''Kevin Grieve R.I.P."

A true gentleman, a character second to none and always a St. Johns man through and through.

He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.

Big Kevo always thought he was Jack O'Shea, we knew he was more like Tessi O'Shea!!

May he rest in peace.


Paul Collins

Martin Crummey - Dublin 02/03/04
Subject: ''Deepest Sympathy to Cormac McNallen"

Deepest sympathy to young Cormac and his family, from all at St. Johns GAC, Belfast.

Such a tragic loss for his friends, family and the GAA.

May he rest in peace.

Tony McNulty - Belfast 29/02/04
Subject: ''The Sigerson weekend at Corrigan Park"

I would like to express my thanks and absolute delight at the effort made by all the members and staff last Saturday.

All the committee, members and bar staff were asked to make a special effort to ensure everything went well in Corrigan on the day and I have to say that everyone involved proved just what our club is capable of doing when we have to.

I personally think that we raised standards again in both our organisation and hospitality to all the people who attended at Corrigan last Saturday, from the marvellous condition of the pitch, the stewarding on the road, at the pitch, the hills and the stand, to the service and organisation in the social club. The general feeling of co-operation and togetherness was there to be both felt and seen.

I again thank everyone for their efforts.

Yours gratefully

Tony Mc Nulty (Chairman)

Anne Mc Naughton (Mc Callin) - N. Ireland 03/02/04
Subject: ''75th Anniversary Dinner"

Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed the Anniversary Dinner. It was great to speak to so many "old" friends!! One of the highlights was when Owen Mc Mahon took to the stage! He certainly got everyone of their seats!.

Well done to the organisers and I hope to be around for the 100th!

Thanks especially to Eimear Grieve who looked after me all night! not that I wasn't capable or anything!.

All the best

Brendan Fitzsimons - Willcox, Arizona 02/02/04
Subject: ''Club's 75th anniversary"

From the mountains of Arizona, congratulations to all at St. John's who are observing the club's 75th anniversary. That takes me down memory lane.

When the club celebrated its 25th anniversary, in 1954, that was the year that I won my first medals for hurling and football. My first hurling medal was for the South Antrim Minor League when we outlasted a tough O'Connell's team.

Some of my Johnnies' teammates that year were Jackie Arnold, Paddy Cashman, Eugene Gallagher, Mickey Crawford, Sean Burns, Jim Doran, Brendan Kelly, Jim Magilton, Brendan McGurk, Des Armstrong and Gerry Gilroy. Of course, Andy McCallin and Tommy Hall were our mentors.

St. Mary's CBS won the Ulster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship that year with the great Gerry Gilroy as captain. I was the goalkeeper. And it was St. Mary's who won the McMahon Cup during that season with help from two Johnnies' men -- Jody Doran and myself.

Truly a memorable year. I still treasure the medals.

Up the Johnnies.

Brendan Fitzsimons

Antrim coaching & development committee - Belfast 29/01/04
Subject: ''U 17 Hurling"

Former Antrim stars Terence Mc Naughton and Dominic Mc Kinley have be appointed as managers to the Antrim U 17 Hurling development squad. This weekend will see their first trial sessions.

South and Southwest clubs are asked to attend Mc Rory Park on Sunday (1/2/04) also at 2pm.

All players must be 17 this year (born in 1987). Full training gear will be required and clubs will be responsible for the transportation of their players

Hilary & Margaret Mulvenna - Belfast 19/01/04
Subject: ''Good Luck!"

This is to wish the Under 11/12 team good luck in championship and league both hurling and football.

Christy Bailey - St. Teresa's, Belfast 17/01/04
Subject: ''Ronan Heenan"

Is Ronan Heenan going to play as long as Danny Maguire?

Brian Mullan - Tallaght, Dublin, 08/11/03
Subject: ''Rory's rant"

Trust Bestie to remember 1978!!! One year after I graduated from the minors.

I still remember that game as well from a spectators point of view, although not in as much detail as Rory. Obviously alcohol doesn't affect his memory the way it does us 'awl' ones which is surprising given his consumption over the years!!!!

Anyway great website and great to see some of the old photos.

Keep up the good work

Regards
Brian Mullan

Gearoid Robinson - Belfast, 15/10/03
Subject: ''Is that all there is to rant on about"

I enjoyed Rory's Rant and I was hoping that it would have been a regular feature. Could I sugesst that you consider the following:

Mackin's Muses - Words of Wisdom from the Man himself

Ron's Ramblings - Story's of Yesteryear

If I have any other suggestions I 'll let you know

*CLUB NOTICE*

CAN ANY CLUB MEMBER PAST OR PRESENT PLEASE SEND IN AN OLD MEMORY TO THE SITE TO SHARE ON-LINE -

e.gs. TOMMY HALL "Tommy's Tales", MICKEY DARRAGH "Mick's Memoirs", JOE MCGUINNESS "Joe's Jibes",
SEANIE BURNS "Seanie's Stories"

Seanie Burns Jr - Australia, 12/09/03
Subject: ''Photos from the Burnsies"

Some photos for the St Johns website.

I don't know if it is permitted to put photos of losing teams on the website but I included the Runners up of the 1982 South Antrim Feile Final.

The archive photo I don't have a year for but I'm sure if you catch my da before he leaves he will give you a year if not ask the dinosaurs and give them something to discuss.

Can you also pass on the Commedagh photo to Ron, Locky and Micky Johnston.

The work on the website is a great way to follow the fortunes of St Johns from afar.

Good luck to Liam Donnelly and the Minors for the Championship Final.

Seanie Burns jnr

Click here to see the photos

Eamon Grieve Jr - Los Angeles, 04/09/03
Subject: ''Surfin USA!!"

Well everyone I'm out in sunny L.A. taking in a few of the rays but mostly workin hard. Its good to see that we have at least one team in the county final this year and hopefully the minor footballers will get there too. Fair play to Laim, Wacker and Brendan, they've taken the team from U-12 and hopefully Seamus and John can achieve the same with the footballers.

Good luck to all concerned.

Hope to see everyone at some stage through the year when I'm home on holidays but before that Ihope we can have two county titles on the annual dinner table this year and have Mickey Gannon singing Wack for the Diddle with some great reason this year!!!

From LA

Eamon Grieve jnr

Sean O'Sullivan - Kerry, 06/07/03
Subject: ''Great website!"

Sean O' Sullivan here from the Cromane GAA Club in
Kerry.

Very impressed with the St. John's website. Keep up the good work.

Seán Bán.

Jude Whyte - Belfast, 09/05/03
Subject: ''The biggest win ever"

Did you know that the biggest victory that St. John's ever had was against gael uladh in the 1973 minor hurling quarter final?

The score 17-51 to 0-01, thats right 102 to 1 point which I Jude Whyte scored.

My son now plays for you, what a shame...

John Convery - Philadelphia, USA, 11/03/03
Subject: ''Happy St. Patrick's Day"

Hello to everyone at the club,

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Philadelphia, U.S.A!

Tell the "yahoos"; Whacker, Monty, Barry M, and Conor to "Have a Great One!"

All the Best!

A friend of the club,

John Convery

P.S. Great looking website by the way.

Sean Grieve - USA, 01/03/03
Subject: 'Congratulations to Ciara Erin Grieve'

Dear St. John's members,

Thank you very much for the congratulatory note on our newest addition to our family - Ciara.

She actually made her appearance on February 17th, in the middle of a record snowfall - 28 inches.

She is looking forward to her first visit to Corrigan Park later this year.

Sean and Kristi Grieve

St. John's GAC - Belfast, 27/02/03
Subject: 'Ciara Erin Grieve'

Congratulations to Sean and Kristi Grieve on the new arrival of Ciara Erin Grieve from St. Johns GAC.

The newest member of St. Johns GAC, Ciara Erin Grieve, was born on Monday 24th February weighing 7lb 1¾ ounces.

Hugh Lawell - Belfast, 19/02/03
Subject: '1979 Senior Football Championship'


(In reply to Stephen McCann's Query)

Sunday 23 Sept 1979 St Teresa's 2-10 St Johns 2-4

Injury struck Champions obviously missing keymen and especially the experience and class of Gerry Mc Cann at midfield were forced to reshuffle their side at the throw in.

St Teresa scorers:
D Maguire 0-5 P Magorrian 2-1 B Johns 0-2
P mc Goldrick 0-1 J Mc Kernan 0-1

St Johns scorers:
K Gough 1-2 J Cunningham 1-0 A Mc Callin 0-1 J Donnelly 0-1

Rory Best - Belfast, 19/02/03
Subject: 'Annual Dinner'


I tried to get feedback before on the question of why we continue to fill Casement bar after games instead of Corrigan.
No response from anyone on that.
However, I'll try another one.

Why don't our members support our annual dinner dance and presentation?

Anybody feel like commenting? On either subject?

Rory Best - Belfast 13/01/03
Subject: Keeping Benners right


In reply to Benners' comment.

I also thought Gerry had something to do with that minor team, but when I asked him he said not. I'm fairly sure I've got the selectors for that year right.

Funny to hear about you being taken off in the '79 championship final. Funny because.....so was I !

I wouldn't argue about being taken off that day though, 'cause I was keek...

Brendan 'Benners' Grieve- Sydney 12/01/03
Subject: Rory's rant


Just left Penrith Gaels club Sydney, had a few beers with Seany Burns and Neilly Crawford who told me about web site. Great story Rory, brings back happy memories. Rory was sitting in the stand the day Rossa flogged us in the league. My memory is a bit clouded but was I sitting beside him? or was I the edgit marking Teddy Quinn who only scored 2-10 or there abouts? Revenge was
sweet...

Rory have you got the selectors right? I thought it was Wee Andy Peter and Gerry mc Cann (sorry Joe if I am wrong). Also reading comments re: 1979 championship final against St. Teresa's - tell Gerry mc Cann the reason we got beat was because I was substituted in the second half.

Happy new year to all.

Great to see web site, Brendan (Benners) Grieve.

Frank Maskey - Belfast 04/01/03
Subject: St. John's Juvenile Committee 'lead the way'

'Mol an oige agus tiochfaidh'

Our Juvenile committee are extremely proud to be the first Belfast GAA club to be accredited with the prestigious 'Junior Goldclub Award' by the N.I Sports Council. Others were successful in achieving junior clubmark but St. John's were the only Belfast GAA club that achieved the highest award on offer. The award is in recognition for commitment to Quality Junior Club provision, practice and management.

As Chairman of the juvenile committee I am delighted that we have achieved such an award and it should be appreciated that it represents 18 months of planning, hard work, dedication and shear determination to be the best.

I would like to thank all of those involved in the junior section of St. John's for their support over the same period and for their commitment to the development of our youth and to the blue and white. In particular I would like to thank John Gough for his assistance in helping me to finalise the application and I would also like to take this opportunity to wish him a speedy return to good health.

Demonstrating their continuing commitment to good practice, our juvenile mentors for the coming year have already participated in Child Protection Awareness training and will part-take in additional coaching awards in both hurling and football.

We have appointed hurling and football co-ordinators to help guide our programmes for the coming year and I wish them all the best.

It is my belief that with these new initiatives and drives, together - in the spirit of co-operation - we can forge ahead from strength to strength and achieve great things.

None of this of course would be possible but for the dedication of our young players who range from 4 or 5 years of age to 18. After a short time in St. John's our boys soon get the message that they are 'second to none' and this important life lesson is quite evident as our boys always strive to do their best at all times to represent our club - and themselves - honourably. Well done!

I wish all of our juvenile panels and mentors, my very best wishes for the coming season and look forward to the opportunity of working with you in the pursuit of positive outcomes.

Is mise

Frank Maskey

Juvenile Chairman

Brendan & Jeanne Fitzsimons - Arizona, U.S.A 25/12/02
Subject: Merry Christmas


Hello to everyone at St John's.

To all of the St. John's members at Corrigan Park and all of the exiled Johnnies fans around the world we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
God bless all of you.

From sunny Arizona,

Brendan and Jeanne Fitzimons.

Mark Decruz - Sydney, Australia 21/12/02
Subject: Merry Christmas


Hello to everyone at St Johns.

Greetings from Down Under (hot Sydney) ..... we're enjoying a few cold beers here and a wee BBQ ..... we're thinking about you and can't wait to get back for a few wee pints ..... from


Neill Crawford
Seanny Burns
Micky Crawford
Marky De Cruz

PS ...... Special Happy New Year to the two Dinosaurs....they know who they are!!!

Happy Xmas and a successful New Year.

Rory Best - Belfast 02/12/02
Subject: Why not go on down the road?

I would be interested to know why we continue to fill the lounge bar in Casement every time we play a match there?

At a time when most GAA clubs are struggling for income we should be buying our pints in our own club. Other clubs do.
If you go into Casement any time after we play there the place is
inevitably packed with our members. Take everyone connected from St.Johns out and Casement would be nearly empty. I'm not against having a pint or two in Casement, but if a 'session' is
on the cards then we should all go the extra mile down to Corrigan and spend our money there.

Living where I do myself, I am the first to admit that going to Corrigan is not always practical, but if we're in Casement anyway then it's not much hassle to get down to Corrigan.

I would really love somebody to reply saying why Casement is such a better alternative for a few pints on a Sunday.

Bunty (Billy) McCallion - Huddersfield 10/11/02
Subject: My playing days

I played for the club from 1945-58.

Anyone from my playing days please contact me at home in
Fartown - Huddersfield, by phone or by e-mail

With thanks.

Any member wishing to contact 'Bunty' send the club an e-mail or contact a committee member for the necessary details

Rory Best - Belfast 07/11/02
Subject: Gerry's 100% correct - of course!

I've just read Stephen McCann's note about the '79 championship. as you would expect, his Da's right. I know because I played both in the Kilmacud sevens that year when Gerry broke his leg, and also in the championship final the following week.

We lost to St.Teresa's. Anybody who doesn't believe this just has to go into St.Teresa's with me some time. I've been up there a few times and Sandsy usually reminds me! In fact, about 1 month ago our under-10 footballers won the first ever St.Teresas under-10 tournament. I was there watching and after the final (beating Rossa) the youngsters gave a rendition of Whack-fol-o-diddle etc. One of the Rossa oul-hands was beside me and said something like "I've had to listen to that a few times in my life". Sandsy was standing nearby and couldn't resist chipping in with "Aye but they weren't singing it in '79"!

Some of the other spectators seemed to find that funny!

As for us not winning because McCann wasn't playing, well.....I would never argue with Gerry McCann!

Stephen McCann - Belfast 31/10/02
Subject: Honours

I was showing my Da the web site the other night and as we were
going through it he noticed that you have down that we won the senior football championship in 1979, he said that infact we were beaten that year in the final by St Teresas and that we actually won it in 1980 which is not mentioned.

He believes that he remembers it well because he actually broke his ankle in The Kilmacud Sevens the week before the county final in 1979 thus excluding him from playing in the final ( He went on to say that was the reason we lost). I checked this out on the
Antrim site and they have it recorded as you have but I was speaking to a guy from St Teresas called Gerry Sands who played in those days and he tells me that infact they won the Championship in 1979.

Is there any way we could resolve this and stop my da gurning?

Maybe check with others who were on that team or can the Lovely Michael assist?

Thanks

Anyone who can help please send us an e-mail

Brendan & Jeanne Fitzsimons - Arizona, U.S.A. 30/09/02
Subject: Terrific site

Congratulations from an old Johnnies man now living in the mountains of Arizona. You have a wonderful site. I enjoy every bit of it.

I have a request. When you displayed the photographs of the senior hurling team and the Under-16's team, you did not include a photo caption, or a cutline as we say in this part of the world. I would enjoy reading the names of all of those Johnnies' stalwarts.

Another question -- Who's holding up the trophies on the home page?

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Brendan FitzSimons

I would like to see some pictures of the junior teams under the management of Gerry Beggly. From u12 right up we won everything in our path.

Regards Steven.

Well, how's it going?

It's a great idea having the blue and white on the internet. I must admit you're doing a fine job with the set-up, keep up the good work, especially when you have pictures of the U-21 teams of the early nineties on it !! :-) just kidding. Look forward to following up in the future and I hope the development continues.

Naomh Eoin abu !

Is mise le meas

Stephen