06/03/04 Laois men incur the 'rath'
of Johnnies' senior hurlers
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Mount Rath, Laois….2:07
St. John's, Antrim……2 :10
St. John's Senior Hurlers' Laois Tour began with
a three point victory over Laois Division 1 outfit
Mount Rath on Saturday.
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the ref starts proceedings
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Played in sunny conditions with some light rain in
the second half, Mount Rath certainly fielded a physically
stronger looking team and were certainly up for the
game with their visitors from the 'Dark North.'
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Marty <c<ahon awaits his chance for a score
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The in form Stephen Thompson opened the St.
John's account after five minutes with an excellent
point from 35m on the left by-line.
This was further increased by the 'Panther'
Gerard McFall who picked off a superb 40m strike
from the right by line. He followed this up
with a 45m strike from a free some two minutes
later after Kevin Rafferty was fouled in possession.
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Tom Russell and Kevin O'Keefe replied with points for
the midlanders before Stephen Thompson was fouled again
and McFall duely converted for the Antrim men.
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Half-time team talk for St. John's hurlers
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The 'steady always ready' Kevin (Raffo) Rafferty
then picked off an excellent point from 40m
before the 'Panther' notched up yet another
35m free for St. John's.
James Graham then broke for Mount Rath out
on the left wing and after a sharp 30m solo
run, he spirited over another point for the
midlanders to leave the scores Mount Rath 0:03
St. John's 0:07 at the interval.
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The second half saw a tit for tat
succession of scores with both teams scoring freely.
Certainly Stephen Thompson's brace of goals and Gerard
McFall's accuracy from dead balls always kept the Antrim
men in front and ultimately gave the St. John's men
a three point victory.
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For Mount Rath midfielder Kevin O'Keefe and centre
half James Hyland had good games.
Goal keeper Brian Russell was steady in goal
and up front James Graham, Mick Brown and the
giant 6ft 6inch James (Bob) O'Keefe were sharpest.
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.Brian Russell pucks the ball |
St. John's had excellent performances again from the
'hot' Stephen Thompson, the robust and technically sound
Michael O'Neill and the 'Mountain' Anto Brennan. The
'Raptor' John Joe Hartigan had an outstanding game,
probably his finest to date in a blue and white jersey.
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Raffo kicks for goal under heavy pressure from
Mount Rath men
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Locky McCurdy played and battled well making
up for tired limbs with an experienced head. Conor
Gannon and Kevin Rafferty were steady when called
upon and Ronan Heenan, well… the flesh is
willing.
Ronan's ability is still there but, and I quote,
'discipline is the problem' as he found himself
at odds with himself and his selectors.
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Many thanks to
Mount Rath for facilitating the game and to Patsy Sydes
for acting as referee.
SC
Mount Rath:
1.Brian Russell, 2.Liam Byrne,3.Dermott McMahon, 4.Andrew
Russell,5.Paul Meade, 6.James Hyland,7. Mick O'Brien,
8.Kevin O'Keefe, 9.Dan Russell, 10. Tom Russell, 11.James(Bob)O'Keefe,
12.Damien Duggan, 13.James Graham, 14. Mick Brown. 15.
James Phelan, 16.Darren Lowry. 17. Declan Sydes 18.
Martin Meade, 19.Jason McDowell 20.Fergal Kirwin. 21.Matthew
Rice
