Portaferry 4-12
St. John's 1-14

Reminiscent of a Johnnies team of 5 years ago the defence got off to the worst possible start in this new league series conceding, as they did, a goal within the first minute of the game. Unfortunately more goals were to follow as Portaferry sliced through the St. John's defence with shocking regularity.

St. John's Hurling team

Despite a promising start and narrowly missing a point opportunity early on midfielder Conor Gannon failed to get to grips with his Portaferry marker and was solely responsible for Portaferry's second goal (in fact his first half performance brought to mind images from Mel Gibson's latest cinematic offering). After his man ran unchecked into the full forward line, passed the ball off to a free attacker in an overlapping move, the defence and keeper Ciaran Cunningham were given no chance.

This first half 3 goal bonanza was'nt enough to kill off a persistent St. John's team who battled thoughout the game to try to close the gap on their Down counterparts. St. John's steadied themselves with Mickey O'Neill (marshalling Down Star Ger McGrattan well) moving to full back and Ronan Heenan moving to centre-half back and with the introduction of Liam Knocker at corner back.

Whilst missing forwards Brian McFall, Simon McCrory and Paul Montgomery the St. John's forward line kept their team in the game with Portaferry, spearheaded in attack by Gerard McFall (who must surely have now launched himself to the top of the scoring tables within the club) who again had a 100% free-taking record.

The first half ended 3-4 to 0-09.

The second half saw St. John's produce a better overall performance with Locky McCurdy in particular shining for the blue and whites. Conor Gannon managed to get himself back into the game somewhat and Niall Grego came off the bench to score a goal which lifted the team. Hard work and graft meant that with 8 minutes to go St. John's found themselves only 3 points adrift and this is perhaps a credit to the team's determination that their heads never dropped.

Ciaran Cunningham under pressure but in good form

However, more defensive errors cost St. John's dearly with a further goal gifted to Portaferry and a string of points which proved to big a gap to bridge in the end. There was nothing goalkeeper Ciaran Cunningham (left) could do about the goal rout. He made a great full length save to deny Portaferry a fifth goal and was in good form for the Johnnies on the night (picking up a nasty hand injury during one of his much needed clearances). The match ended 4-12 1-14.

Best in defence were Chris Clarke and Ronan Heenan and up front were Locky McCurdy and Gerard McFall (Locky McCurdy St. John's best man on the night)It was nonetheless a promising display from the Corrigan Park men and this tough challenge hopefully prepares them well for Cushendall on Sunday.

 

St. Johns: 1.Ciaran Cunningham 2. Hugo 'Duncan' Kennedy 3. Anto Brennan 4. Chris Clarke 5. Kevin Rafferty 6. Micky O'Neill 7. Gerard Cunningham 8. Conor Gannon 9. Colm McFall 10. Neil Reynolds 11. Ronan Heenan 12. John Mead 13. Stephen Thompson 14. Gerard McFall
15. Locky McCurdy 16. Niall Grego 17. Colin Thompson 18. Brendan Moss

Substitutes: Liam Knocker for Colm McFall, Niall Grego for Anto Brennan, Brendan Moss for Stephen Thompson, Colin Thompson for John Mead, Colm McFall for Kevin Rafferty

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