Club News19/08/03 Division 3 Footballers narrowly beaten away to Cargin

This match could have easily been won by St. John's, despite missing a number of regulars, if only their passing had been tighter in the second half, the marking had been tighter in the forward line and the number of wides were cut ever so slightly.

Cargin got their 1st goal early in the first half, with the Cargin midfielder running through the defence and finishing well. Another point followed for Cargin, whereas St. John's took time and a few wides before they got their first point on the board courtesy of Graham Clarke. Windy Miller scored a point and then Gerard McFall took his goal well midway through the second half.

Corner-back Conor Gannon brought things to life somewhat when he beat his man to the ball just before the halfway line, soloed past 2 Cargin men and promptly sent the ball high over the bar to register a point of exceptional quality some 40 yards out on the right wing. The point was the score of the match, and his best for St. John's after 20 years of trying, and even manager Gerry McCann seemed lost for words on the sideline.

Speaking afterwards at a televised press conference Gatlin reportedly announced his retirement from club football, as he was accepting a coaching post with the Kerry County Football team whose forwards are crying out for his inspirational influence. We can only hope that, if the reports turn out to be true, he reconsiders his position - as he would be sorely missed...

Throughout the match an outstanding display was given by keeper Barry Mulgrew, who produced some magnificent feats of goaltending to deny Cargin forwards on no less than 5 occasions throughout the match. One particular save is worthy of note, in which Barry managed somehow to get to a shot which seemed hellbent on going straight into the furthest right hand corner of the net. How he got to it is anyone's guess. Simply brilliant.

Donal Kennedy scored a nice goal within minutes of being introduced to the full-forward line early in the second half to bring the sides within touching distance, however he lacked a bit of pace to trouble the Cargin defenders too much after that. Stephen Thompson, having missed an open net midway through the first half, managed a point in the second period, as did substitute John McCallin.

Joe Hand gave a remarkable catching display at midfield in the second half, but for his wayward passing in this period he may well have finished up man of the match for St. John's. Each ball he kicked high up into the air was gathered up by a Cargin defender and sent down into the St. John's defence.

Aaron Douglas and Aidan Kelly played well in defence whilst the other corner-back David 'Buttons' McAllister decided to show his mentor Collie McKnight how to score when he was sent up to help out the flagging forwards late in the second half. Just as Buttons' mobile phone had found itself hurtling through the air a few weeks earlier, never to be seen again, so too did Buttons' shot as he fired in a goal from his deadly left boot, bringing the sides level with minutes left on the clock.

Unfortunately after this Cargin went up the field and sent over a point, and St. John's couldn't find the passes to get the ball back up the field and into a scoreable position.

The match ended 2-11 3-07

 

		St. John's
		B. Mulgrew
C. Gannon		A. Kelly	D. McAllister
A. Douglas		C. McKnight	C. Clarke
		J. Hand S. Miller
G. Clarke		F. Collins	C. Thompson
S. Thompson		G. McFall	G. Rafferty
(Subs: J. McCallin for S. Miller, D. Kennedy for C. Thompson)