Club News

17/06/03 Minor hurlers start league campaign in good form by Niall McCallin Juv PRO

St. John's minor hurlers got their league campaign off to a good start, on a fine Tuesday evening up in St.Pauls. St.Johns, playing against a strong breeze in the first half, started well with Liam Boyle scoring from a short range free, they soon doubled their lead shortly after with a well taken score by Dermot Hartigan.

St. Paul's cancelled out the St. John's lead with two well-taken points from close range however, St. John's regained their lead with a free from Liam Boyle and and excellent point by Gerard Hamilton who finished the best move of the match. Niall McCallin caught the ball from St. Paul's goalkeeper's puck-out played a diagonal ball into Simon McCrory who controlled well and handpassed onto the on-running Gerard Hamilton who put the ball over the bar first time. St. John's then rallied for a while with some fine scores from Liam Boyle and Jim Peopes from acute angles.

St. Paul's then sent over a long range free to make the score 0-4 to 0-3 in favour of the Whiterock men. The St. Paul's keeper was on top form, with 3 fantastic saves from Liam Boyle(2) and Jimmy Peoples, both couldn't find their way into the St. Paul's net. St.Johns ended the half well with a magnificent point from John Mead, hitting the ball first time from 60 yards without taking it in his hand, something the management hope to see more often from the midfielder and then a fine long ranged free from Niall McCallin.

St. John's started the second half well (after a rollicking at half time from Andrew, Brendan and Liam) Liam Boyle putting over another free from the '45' and the hard working Peter Begley supplying the ball into Dermot Hartigan, who sent the ball over the bar for his second point of the game. St. Paul's then went up the field and hit two points without reply from close range frees. The Shaws Road men were starting to put the Johnnies under pressure, but were failing to put the scores on the board.

St.Johns then got the first goal of the game after a dubious decision by the St. Paul's net minder, Liam Boyle hit a high and hopefull shot from 45 yards out, the ball bounced
on the six yard box and trickled into the net, with the on-running Barry McFall claiming to have touched it in. The half back line, who were solid throughout, then returned the ball, Gerard Hamilton then picked up the breaking ball and took a fine point. Simon McCrory then got his name on the score sheet after tireless work throughout the game paid off when he blocked the St. Paul's half back and ran into the 21 to send the ball over the bar.

St. John's got another goal with 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Niall McCallin who won himself a free on his own '65' sent the ball high into the roof of the net after the hesitant St. Paul's keeper came out to claim the ball ("And no Barry!! You didn't get a touch on it, or anyone else for that matter!!"). Another point from St. John's seemed to kill the game as a contest, but St. Paul's had different ideas, sending 3 points over without reply, 2 from frees and the other from a excellent side line cut. Then Liam Knocker, who excelled throughout, scored the final point of the game to leave the scoreline 2-12 to 0-8. After a dull game the St. John's keeper and backline can take great credit for 5 out of the 6 defenders holding their men scoreless (Paul Reynolds, Noel Rooney, Colm McFall, Niall McCallin and Joe Herald) and Kevin McGlinchey keeping a clean sheet (one of many to come hopefully).

I hope that the 25+ squad that was there can all make training on Friday night at 6 o'clock in Corrigan Park, if you are unable to attend please contact the management.

 

		St. John's
		K. McGlinchey
P.Reynolds		N.Rooney	C.McFall
L.Knocker		N.McCallin	J.Herald
		J. Mead P.Begley
G.Hamilton		D.Hartigan	S.McCrory
J.Peoples		N.Sadlier	L. Boyle
(Subs: B.McFall for N.Sadlier, A.Oliver for P.Begley)