Club News

18/10/03 Division 3 Footballers earn hard fought place in league final 2003

It was finally decided on Saturday past that, after over two years in the wilderness, a St. John's senior football team would contest a county final, when the Johnnies won their semi-final matchup against Cargin in the All-County Division 3 football league.

St. John's Division 3 Team 2003

Whilst some questions, and eyebrows, may have been raised over the pairing of Cargin and St. John's for this semi-final fixture and the neutral venue of Creggan by the powers that be - there was no questioning the steely determination that both sides displayed in this classic encounter which lasted over 80 minutes, 2 periods of extra time, with some injury time added on for good measure, and at the end of this exhausting and thrilling meeting only one point separated the two sides!

A plethora of unforeseen hindrances gathered together to hamper St. John's preparations for this match however they were not enough to distract the players and mentors from their goal of reaching the League Final.

Traffic problems brought the calvalcade of St. John's players to a standstill nearing Randalstown - Barry Mulgrew led a two car convoy on a mystical, magical tour of the backroads of Co. Antrim in a 'Dukes of Hazard' style attempt to bypass the traffic chaos (rumours that the cars could see Mount Errigal before they turned back have not been authenticated as yet) before arriving just minutes before the referee's whistle - Paddy Hannigan drove into a ditch and wrecked his exhaust - Mickey Gannon almost caused a 10 car pile up just outside Creggan's pitch with some suspect driving skills reminiscent of a Wacky Races episode.

Barry Mulgrew before leaving Belfast for Creggan

 

The first half started with a great move in the opening two minutes which saw the St. John's forwards cut a swathe through the Cargin defence and Gerard 'Omar' McFall finish off with a goal. This did not rattle Cargin as they promptly rattled over 3 points without reply thanks to a few easy frees given away by corner back Conor Gannon. This did not continue for long however as he was replaced by Chris Clarke who tightened up the full back line and, along with Aaron Douglas, stuck close to the speedy corner forwards.

Keeper Barry Mulgrew was on form as well and he needed to be, producing a full length dive to deny Cargin a goal midway through the first half, as well as saving a penalty also in the first half.

Matters were tight for the rest of the match with neither side pressing home any advantage, although St. John's had the better chances for more goals Fergal Collins, Adrian Oliver and John McCallin spurning some glorious opportunities. Collie McKnight was at his most prolific for St. John's - as he has been all season - scoring some superb points from all sorts of angles - though he of course lived up to his nickname by the end of the game. Graham Clarke played steadily enough - one particular move saw him win the ball in the full back line - work it out of defence, sprinting up the pitch, then retreiving the ball and putting it over the bar - the

It was St. John's who led late on in the second half by two points however just as the end was in sight Cargin summoned up a late rally, clawing back to level, going in front only for St. John's to come back again. By the end of full time the teams were level.

As often happens in matters of extra-periods of time fitness comes into play - we were certainly the fitter outfit, but more importantly the will to win was there. Every player rallied round, supported, encouraged, cajoled and this made the difference in the end. Whilst there was only a one point lead at the end of extra time there was always an sense that we would win.

It was a fairly contested and hard fought match, and a win which will spur the team on for the final in two weeks time.

It was supremely a team effort which won this affair but in particular Chris Clarke in defence shone, as did Anto Press and Barry Mulgrew with Collie McKnight, Gerard McFall and the old experienced head of Fergal Collins standing out in the forwards.

The captain Liam Donnelly, along with the mentors on the sideline, did a great job of motivating and inspiring the team throughout the match - which will certainly be one of the more memorable games of senior football which the club has seen in recent times.

 

		St. John's
		B. Mulgrew
C. Gannon		M. O'Neill	A. Douglas
K. Rafferty		N. McCallin	A. Press
		G. Clarke K. McGlinchey
C. McKnight		F. Collins	A. Oliver
G. Clarke		G. McFall	S. Thompson
Subs: C. Clarke for C. Gannon, C. Thompson for G. Clarke, J. McCallin for F. Collins, N. Kelly for S. Thompson, J. Connolly for K. McGlinchey Subs not used: L. Donnelly (capt)