14/02/04 U-16 Hurlers have hearts broken by Carrickmore on St. Valentine's Day

Carrickmore Select - 1:09 St. Johns U-16's - 1:06 St. Johns U-16's travelled to Tyrone on St. Valentines day to play an enjoyable Hurling challenge game against Carrickmore. Played in ideal bright, brisk conditions the game served up a useful outing for both sides, the pitch was the only drawback (showing the signs of some serious winter training)

The team gets warmed up

Peadar McMahon opened the Tyrone teams scoring after 4 minutes with a well taken point from 40m on the left wing. ( Indeed the skilful, robust McMahon was to finish with all of his sides points with an impressive tally of 0:09).

Young Johnnies man clears the ball

McMahon gain increased his sides lead with another point from 30m, again on the left before Conal McGarrity opened up Carrickmore's lead with a well taken goal after 15 minutes. This was followed by another 4 points from McMahon before Eoghan Caldwell broke through the centre for St. Johns to pass to Aodhan Mulholland who took his point 30m on the right.

St.Johns had 4 wides during this period and seemed to have left their accuracy at home. Barry McFall added another point for St.Johns from a 20m free to leave the Tyrone men 1:06 to 0:02 in the lead at the interval.

St. John's Under 16's

Carrickmore Select

Upon resumption each side matched each others score with 3 points apiece over the first 15 minutes with McMahon scoring all 3 for Carrickmore and McFall 0:02 and Mulholland 0:01 for St.Johns. Sean Paul Wright battled in well and grabbed a goal on 17 minutes for St. Johns and this set the scene for a period of total St. Johns dominance where Carrickmore had difficulty getting the ball out of their half.

Carrickmore centre-half back takes his cut

Unfortunately St. Johns only managed to take one score during this period - a well taken point on the right from 25m from Stephen Corner. But all credit to Carrickmore's defence who weathered the storm and held on for their victory. Sean Og Grogan was excellent in goal for Carrickmore. Indeed all the Carrickmore defence can take pride out of their performance. Peadar McMahon had an outstanding game and was well assisted by Niall Boyle and Cathal Donaghy. Certainly Peter Tierney, Tony Hughes, Conor Mullan & Conor Mullan can take satisfaction out of their hours play.

For St. Johns the mercurial Barry McFall showed in flashes, Eoghan Caldwell powered through the game, Anthony Moore showed great strength as did Peter McGarrity and the ever present Colm McCrudden. Aodhan Mulholland and Pat Gregory looked sharp up front and Ciaran McKissock had a good day in goal.

We would like to thank Carrickmore for their hospitality and we look forward to returning the compliment in Corrigan.
SC

Carrickmore: 1.Sean Og Grogan, 2.Christopher Meenagh, 3.Conor Mullan, 4.Seamus Og Kerr, 5. Kevin Mullan, 6. Ligh Moore, 7. Ronan Coyle, 8. Peter Tierney, 9.Tony Hughes, 10.Padraig McMullan, 20. Peadar McMahon,11.Niall Boyle, 13. Cathal Donaghy, 14. Conal McGarrity, 15. Brendan McLaughlin, 16.Patrick Meenagh.
Carrickmore Scorers : Peadar McMahon 0:09 (0:03 frees), Conal McGarrity 1:00.

St. Johns: 1.Ciaran McKissock 2.Sean McDaniel, 3.Colm McCrudden 4.Martin Elliott, 5.Aodh Hamilton, 6.Peter McGarrity, 7.Anthony Moore, 8.Eoghan Caldwell, 9.David McGarrity 10.Pat Gregory. 11. Barry McFall 12.Aodhan Mulholland 13.Brendan McGibbon, 14.Aaron McKenna, 15. Sean Paul Wright

Substitutes: Stephen Corner

St. Johns Scorers: Barry McFall 0:03 (0:02 frees) Aodhan Mulholland 0:02, Sean Paul Wright 1:00, Stephen Corner 0:01

Referee: Peter Kerr