Christmas came early for St. John's as the Corrigan Park men edged out a determined Aghagallon side in this close encounter in Glenavy on Sunday, to ensure that the club retained its Division 1 status for the 2005 season. Few would have thought it was possible when the footballers found themselves needing 2 away wins at the end of the season to earn only a playoff place but that's exactly what they did. Phew!

St. John's senior hurlers

Playing conditions were very good for this time of year and Glenavy's pitch was in top order for a match which would determine who would stay up and who would play a relegation playoff final against Rossa.

It was St. John's who took an early lead through Gerard McFall's well taken point, but matters remained tight for the majority of the first half. St. John's had a slender lead midway through the first half (0-04 to 0-02) thanks to points from Gerard McFall, Liam Boyle and Adrian Oliver. But Aghagallon were to respond in some style scoring 3 points to lead 0-04 to 0-05 with 5 minutes remaining. Soon afterwards Brian McFall found himself bearing down on goal, but his rasping shot grazed the crossbar for a vital point. The teams went in at half time level.

The second half was a game of 2 quarters as St. John's came out all guns blazing, dominating all over the pitch and scoring 4 points on the trot and it looked very much like the match would run away from the Division 2 runners-up (however the now traditional nerve jangling moments were to return for St. John's). Supporters were forced to watch Aghagallon bombard the St. John's defence and come back to within a point with minutes remaining in the game. Indeed for the last 15 minutes Aghagallon practically set up camp in the Johnnies' half. However St. John's battled on, calling upon every last reserve of energy to finally fall over the finish line one point the better.

Aaron 'Man of the match' Douglas

The entire defence were outstanding and it is probably unfair to pick out individuals for special mention but Gareth Clarke showed that his place on the county panel is deserved, established county star Gearoid Adams led the way and Aaron Douglas was immense throughout. (In fact, Aaron Douglas was undoubtedly the man of the match on the day, he won absolutely every single ball that came up his line and provided the team with countless vital interceptions despite coming under pressure from the Aghagallon forwards.

Up front the minor trio of Adrian Oliver, John Mead and Liam Boyle were clearly very hungry for the ball at all times and again Collie McKnight made a difference when he came on for the injured Brian McFall. Omar McFall produced some great points from frees and even half back Enda McKenna managed to get in on the act scoring 2 points.

With all this success it would probably suit the team better to start up the new league campaign next week, given the team's determination and newfound belief in their ability but, at least they can rest over the Christmas period knowing they have top flite football to look forward to. Well done to the footballers and to the mentors for snatching Division One status out of the jaws of Division Two. Next week its the hurlers turn...

Clarkie pointing the way forward for the footballers

St. Johns: 1. C.Heatley 2. A. Douglas 3. R. McHugh 4. A. Press 5. G. Clarke 6. G. Adams 7. E. McKenna 8. K. McGlinchey 9. S. Millar
10. J. Mead 11. L. McCurdy 12. A. Oliver 13. L Boyle 14. B . Mc Fall 15. G. Mc Fall
Substitutes: C. McKnight for B. McFall, J. Hand for S. Millar, D. Reynolds for G. Adams

Manager: G. McCann, S. McCann
Mentors: C. Heatly