07/02/04 No 'Messan' with the Johnnies Under 16's

Kilmessan, Meath U-16's…. 2:06
St.Johns, Antrim U-16's…..5:06

St. Johns U-16 hurlers travelled to Meath at the weekend to play Kilmessan. Although cold and windy, the sun was shining and some good hurling was produced by both sides in flashes.

Tomas Shannon opened the Johnnies account after 3 minutes with an accurate point on the right from 30m. This was followed by a long range 50m strike from the left line by Barry McFall before the, on fire, Shannon hit another 2 points from 30m & 35m respectively to leave St. John's 0:04 to 0:0 in front after 15 minutes.

A young Johnnies man solos with the ball

Kilmessan's Diarmuid O'Donaghue opened his sides account with an excellent 60m strike on 17 minutes and quickly followed this with a similar strike, which the St. Johns goal keeper Ciaran McKissock lost in the blinding low winter sun and it fell under his crossbar to leave the sides level. Brain Holmes then hit 2 goals in a 6 minute purple patch for St.Johns with Malcolm Doyle replying with a good strike for a point for Kilmessan. This left Kilmessan trailing 1:02 to 2:04 at the interval.

Kilmessan player reaches for the sliotar

Kilmessan made a spirited comeback upon resumption of the second half with 4 points over the first 15 minutes from Niall O Donaghue 0:01, Malcolm Doyle 0:01 and the ever present Diarmuid O Donaghue 0:02. But Shannon broke free again for St. Johns in the left corner and crossed high to the back post where Pat Gregory fielded expertly before driving to the roof of the Kilmessan net from 15 yards.

Further points for St. Johns from Eoghan Caldwell and Barry McFall increased the Johnnies lead before McFall burst into life and sealed victory with a brace of goals. Darren Maguire replied for Kilmessan with a superb cut from play from 25 yards to the roof of the St. Johns net but this was to be the last score of the game.

Certainly Diarmuid O Donaghue showed some real class for Kilmessan and was well assisted by fullback Wayne Gilmartin and the half back line of Daniel Murray, Paddy Farrell and the robust Mark Munelly. Up front for Kilmessan Malcolm Doyle, Darren Maguire, Darren Reilly and Niall O'Donaghue looked sharp.

Under 16 takes his sideline cut

For St. Johns their fullback Colm McCrudden was excellent and was well assisted by Aodh 'Tyson' Hamilton, Peter McGarrity and the tidy Aodhan Mulholland. Eoghan Caldwell and Pat Gregory battled hard for the Johnnies in their half forward line.
Barry McFall had a good game as did Brian Holmes, Tomas Shannon and full forward James Darragh.
SC

Kilmessan: 1.Michael Rogan 2.Kelvin Doyle 3.Wayne Gilmartin 4.Michael Gorman 5.Daniel Murray 6.Mark Munelly 7.Paddy Farell 8.Diarmuid O'Donaghue 9.Kevin Reilly 10. Malcolm Doyle 11.Darren Maguire 12.Darren Reilly 13.Daniel Maguire 14. Jeffrey Sheridan 15.Niall O'Donaghue
Substitutes: 16. Mathey Bissette 17. Darren Brennan
Manager:Joey Maguire. Mentor Brian Gorman

Kilmessan Scorers: Diarmuid O'Donaghue 1:03, Malcolm Doyle 0:02(1 free), Darren Maguire 1:00, Niall O'Donaghue 0:01.

Referee: Mick Ryan.

St Johns: 1.Ciaran McKissock, 2.Sean McDaniel 3.Colm McCrudden 4.Aodh Tyson Hamilton, 5.Aodhan Mulholland, 6.Peter McGarrity, 7.Anthony Moore, 8. Barry McFall, 9.Marty Elliott, 10.Pat Gregory, 11.Eoghan Caldwell, 12.Michael Flannery 13.Tomas Shannon 14.James
Darragh 15.Brian Holmes
Substitutes: 16.Aaron McKenna