Club News

04/05/03 Hurlers record first win of the season

There was certainly a sense of urgency with the senior hurling squad today facing the prospect of yet another postponed match. Whilst other teams throughout Antrim were lining out for their 5th match of the league St. John's were looking at the very real chance that they would only have played two matches after two months.

After a brief inspection of the pitch by the referee, and both team managers, the match was declared officially on, much to the relief of St. John's who hadn't played a game since Loughiel on 07/04/03.

The heavy rain stayed off for the majority of the match and whilst there were some areas of the pitch where the rain had gathered for the most part conditions were as good as anywhere in the county.

St. John's got off to the better start with a couple of early points from Gerard McFall, Paul Montgomery and Locky McCurdy. Hugh Kennedy was constantly fouled throughout the first half which presented free-taker Gerard McFall with plenty of opportunity to put the ball over the bar.

The entire back-line played solidly throughout the first half, Conor Gannon getting a number of blocks in which Kevin Rafferty, Chris Clarke and Niall McCallin all sweeped up and cleared. Indeed this was indicative of the play throughout the team, each player supporting and covering for each other and certainly this formed the foundation for the 0-8 0-4 lead at half-time.

The start of the second half saw a barren spell in which both sides found it difficult to score. Again the defence played a major role in keeping Ballycastle at bay and once the forward line began scoring again St. John's didn't really look back. Apart from a few anxious moments in the second half (when keeper Ciaran Cunningham saved a number of fine efforts from the Ballycastle forwards - one well placed shot in particular looked to be going goalward into the top corner but for Ciaran's athleticism and reflexes) St. John's strove further and further into the lead.

Neil Kelly played well in the corner fighting for, and winning, plenty of the ball whilst on the other wing Hugh Kennedy finished of a fine performance with a sweetly struck point from way out on the left wing. There was a chance for goal in the second half when a pass found its way to Neil Kelly in front of goal but he was unable to convert the opportunity.

All in all it was a good performance from the No.1 right up to the No.15 and two points well earned in spite of missing players (Brian McFall, Stephen Thompson, Gerardo Hamilton, Gerard Cunningham, Neil Reynolds, Donal O'Hara, Conal Kelly - to name but a few), tough playing conditions and a long lay-off for the hurlers.

 

		St. John's
		C. Cunningham
J. J. Hartigan		M. O'Neill	N. McCallin
C. Gannon		K. Rafferty	C. Clarke
		J. Mead G. Clarke
G. McFall		R. Heenan	L. McCurdy
N. Kelly		P. Montgomery	H. Kennedy
(Subs: B. Moss for P. Montgomery)