Club News

26/10/02 St. John's Under 21's beat old rivals to reach Semi Finals

St. John's Under 21's done it again on Saturday when they recorded a memorable victory over a favoured Rossa team, which contained County Senior panellists including the likes of Gavin Bell.

Whilst this was no classic affair by any means, the players performed when they needed to and brought home a victory which many would not have believed possible with fifteen minutes to go, as Rossa were some 4 points the better.

A huge number of wides were registered in the first half by both teams, many from easy free taking positions around the pitch, nevertheless it was St. John's who gained the upper hand going into the second half. Rossa, fielding an older squad, looked the more dangerous in attack, but simply couldn't find their scoring touch, that is until midway into the second half when one forward took his chance and put away a superb goal past the ever dependable Niall McCallin. This moved Rossa from two points behind to one point in front and the tide looked to be turning in their favour as St. John's couldn't find any response.

Rossa continued to apply the pressure on a struggling St. John's backline and finally found a rhythm to their scoring, adding a number of points to their lead. However, there was to be another twist in the tale as St. John's, inspired by John Mead in the full forward line began to claw their way back into the game. He pointed over at a crucial stage in the second half when it looked like there was no way back for his tired team mates. Soon after Gareth Clarke, a relative spectator for most of the game, broke free of his man, headed for the box and fisted a fine 'Peter Canavanesque' point to bring the teams within touching distance of each other. Conal Kelly then stepped up to make the most of the frees as he pointed over to bring the teams level and then to put St. John's ahead.

Leading by one point for the last 5 minutes of the game the final whistle seemed to take an eternity to come, indeed a number balls went up into the Rossa forward line but were heroically blocked, intercepted and sent out of danger by a determined St. John's back line - who were no doubt sensing victory.

A further point from Conal Kelly sealed the victory and St. John's had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and sent themselves into the Semi-Finals where they now face Rasharkin for a place in the County Final - something which has not been achieved at Under 21 level for some time in the club.

There is no doubt that they deserve it, hopefully now they can go on and do it.

 

		St. John's
		N. McCallin
J.J. Hartigan		D Rafferty	N. Kelly
S. Mallon		A. Press	A. Douglas
		K. McGlinchey C. Kelly
G. Rafferty		G. Clarke	G. Cunningham
G. Hamilton		J. Mead	P. Rooney
(Subs: A. Oliver for J.J. Hartigan)