Lamh Dhearg 0-16
St. John's 1-15

Supporters from both clubs were treated to an entertaining afternoon of hurling at Hannaghstown when St. John's Senior Hurlers travelled up the mountain for their most important game of the year so far. No-one (players, mentors, supporters alike) expected it to be easy and indeed matters could not have been closer, right up until the final whistle.

St. John's Hurling team

There were a number of factors which would have caused the bookies problems in placing odds on the outcome of this one - both teams were missing their county stars (both former Ulster Hurlers of the Year and All-Star Nominees) Brian McFall for St. John's and Ciaran Herron for Lamh Dhearg - St. John's had no competitive games since their defeat in the first leg, with the ill-fated County Hurling preparations taking preference - no doubt a number of players had been on holiday during the intervening period.

St. John's warming up before the game

The game started at a fair pace and despite some good play from St. John's in the first ten minutes, and an early point from Gerard McFall, it was Lamh Dhearg who managed to nose in front for the majority of the first half. The first of Liam Donnelly's tactical moves came after 18 minutes of play when he switched centre-half forward Mickey O'Neill with centre-half back Ronan Heenan.

Ronan claimed a high ball late in the first half and was unlucky not to find the net with his effort, having to settle for a point in the end. Mickey managed to get a lot more of the ball in his more familiar role in the defence and also stifled much of the County Star Micko Herron's game. Anto Brennan, a regular full back a few years ago, also produced a solid display which helped keep the Lamh Dheard forwards at bay.

But despite the pressure St. John's were applying Lamh Dhearg still managed throughout the first half to put the ball over the bar, though never going more than 2 points in front at any time. It wasn't until the second half that St. John's began to dominate possession and take the game to their opponents.

Mickey O' gets his eye in

The introduction of half time substitutes Conor Gannon and Neil Reynolds helped change the course of the game in St. John's favour. Conor, battling well at midfield, won a lot of the breaking ball, which provided the forward line with more opportunities to take their scores. Neil caused a few problems for his county colleague, Brendan Herron, in the half forward line and also put over two crucial points of his own in the second half.

Gerard Cunningham wheels away from his man

Luckily for St. John's Gerard McFall continued his sharp shooting ways in the second half , putting over every free which went his way. In fact he eclipsed any forward displays given this year (including his uncle Brian) with a masterclass in free-taking. The writer can honestly not remember one free going wide.

He scored 10 points in total, 8 from frees (sit up and take notice Dinny, or whoever the Antrim manager will be next year!)

With 10 minutes left St. John's still found themselves 1 point adrift (2 overall) when Conor Gannon gathered the ball 30 yards out and sent it straight into full forward Gerard McFall.

Gerard skillfully flicked the ball up on his stick and, with a number of Lamh Dhearg men almost on top of him, he instinctively hand-passed the ball over his head to a rampaging Paul Montgomery (another substitute) who struck the ball into the back of the net. (He is no doubt still replaying this fantastic score in his head as he recuperates in his luxury resort in Salou)

Clarkie stretches to claim the sliotar

With the sides now separated by 1 point tensions began to boil in the last gasp stages of the match. Lamh Dhearg had free after free in order to pull themselves back into the game however St. John's got a few vital scores through Gerard McFall and Simon McCrory to bring the match to a 0-16 to 1-15 scoreline with minutes remaining. Amazingly Lamh Dhearg had further chances to tie the game, and indeed to win it but for the poor free-taking of their usually reliable marksmen.

Simon has his full concentration on the ball

As the final whistle blew St. John's supporters breathed a sigh of relief, the team laying to rest the ghost of their poor championship campaign the previous year and Liam Donnelly could enjoy his first senior championship win as senior manager, but it couldn't have been closer and anyone with a dodgy ticker would have been better advised to stay away, such was the nip-and-tuck nature of the game.

Lamh Dhearg did themselves proud by the way they performed and will be sure to be a tough team to beat in the coming years with their current crop of players.

St. John's now face Cushendall in the quarter-finals of the County Championship on Sunday, no doubt a very different kind of game and an even tougher proposition. Hopefully the team can produce their best performance of the year on Sunday in Corrigan Park and set themselves up with a good chance when they travel to Cushendall a week later for the second leg.

No need to say this really but, all supporters are asked to attend and show their support.

 

St. Johns: 1.Ciaran Cunningham 2. Colm McFall 3. Anto Brennan 4. Chris Clarke 5. Liam Knocker 6. Ronan Heenan 7. Gerard Cunningham
8. Hugo 'Duncan' Kennedy 9. Kevin Rafferty 10. Simon McCrory 11. Micky O'Neill 12. Stephen Thompson 13. Colin Thompson 14. Gerard McFall
15. Niall Grego 16. Paul Montgomery 17. Locky McCurdy 18. Liam Boyle 19. Neil Reynolds 20. John Mead 20. Brendan Moss
21. Packy Nolan 22. Neill Kelly 24. Conor Gannon
Substitutes: Conor Gannon for Kevin Rafferty (32), Neil Reynolds for Niall Grego (32), John Mead for Colm McFall (50), Paul Montgomery for Colin Thompson (60)

Manager: Liam Donnelly
Mentors: Fergal Collins, Brendan Mackin, Paul Collins, Brendan McQuillan, Michael Gannon