Club News01/11/03 Division 3 Footballers lose to St. Galls in league final 2003

It was a disappointing end to the year for the Division 3 footballers when they were defeated by St. Gall's in the final of the League on Saturday.

St. John's Division 3 Team 2003

Whilst St. Gall's were a undoubtedly a good side this year it was with some confidence that St. John's went into this match. They won their last encounter against St. Gall's in Corrigan Park in some style and the Cargin semi-final was an epic affair with St. John's digging deep to secure the win after extra time.

The scoring started with left-half back Anto Press pointing from an unlikely position, a sideline kick way out on the left hand side - whilst maybe not a Maurice Fitzgerald-like kick the ball still bounced majestically over the bar for St. John's to take an early slender lead.

The St. Gall's attacks were strong and with plenty of running in them however and it wasn't long before they managed to take the lead. Uncharacteristically the St. John's forwards shot their fair share of wides in the first half and St. Gall's went in at halftime with a 3 point lead.

The second half saw St. John's forwards frustrated still further by an on-form St. Gall's keeper. The big man kept the Johnnies out, wave after wave, with the woodwork also being hit on a number of occasions and if lady luck had been smiling St. John's could have run out comfortable winners. As it was St. John's found themselves some 5 points down in the second half and staring defeat in the face.

John Meade added something to the forward line when he was introduced and the other second half substitute James 'The Rebel' Connolly came close to scoring a goal. St. John's did get the goal they vitally needed however and a further point brought the teams within 1 point of each other. The St. Gall's keeper still managed to pull off some miraculous saves to deny St. John's the win.

St. Gall's finished the game off with a point which kept 2 points between them and brought the League title to the Milltown men.

Captain Liam Donnelly played well along with Anto Press and Mickey O'Neill in defence, Gatlin (called in at corner back for Chris Clarke who had been injured in a university game that week) managed to stay on the pitch for the full duration which will give him some confidence. Keeper Barry Mulgrew kept yet another clean sheet.

The lads will be downhearted by the defeat but will be looking forward to next year's campaign. The St. John's winter seven's league will no doubt keep their fitness and interest over the winter months!!

 

		St. John's
		B. Mulgrew
A. Douglas		M. O'Neill	C. Gannon
N. McCallin		L. Donnelly (capt)	A. Press
		G. Clarke K. McGlinchey
C. McKnight		F. Collins	A. Oliver
G. Clarke		G. McFall	S. Thompson
Subs: K. Rafferty for N. McCallin, J. Meade for A. Oliver, J. Connolly for G. Clarke