Another weekend in November, another relegation fixture - this time the Senior Hurlers' turn. Not without its difficulties this match was a major banana skin of Division 2-like proportions, given the poor playing conditions on the day and the team's injuries (county players Brian McFall, Gerard Cunningham etc).

St. John's senior hurlers

However, the dull and dreary November day in Corrigan Park was, in the end, to be brightened by a determined St. John's performance

Mickey 'Ginger Mixer' O'Neill comes under pressure in defence

With his uncle sidelined due to injury, point-taking duties fell firmly on the shoulders of Gerard McFall and, thankfully for his team-mates, Omar produced a first rate display. He accounted for 7 points of the total tally (5 from frees). St. Gall's Karl Stewart scored a goal from the penalty spot early in the first half to keep St. Gall's in touch, but it was the Corrigan Park side's point taking ability which always saw them keep the lead.

On good scoring form was minor captain Liam Knocker claiming 3 points in the first half, all of great quality from centre 3/4's (a position which has proved troublesome for St. John's all year). He proved the old adage that a good player can play anywhere. Paul Montgomery got in on the act scoring 2 points and Jimmy Peoples scored the last point of the first half - which could so very easily have been a goal just yards from the net! The teams went in at halftime 0-09 1-04.

The second half saw the home side hit 3 unanswered points early on to take a 5 point lead and when substitute Brian McFall converted the penalty into a goal the game was beyond the Milltown men's reach. That did not stop them however trying their best to give Corrigan Park a few scares as they bombarded the St. John's defence with shot after shot. Fortunately goalkeeper Ciaran Cunningham was at his very best as he made some breathtaking saves to maintain his team's lead. One in particular stands out, with the goal crowded with bodies a shot whistled to the bottom right corner of the net from 20 yards out and somehow Ciaran managed to firstly, see it and secondly, react quickly enough to make his full length dive - his hurl just nudging it out for a '65.

Also hitting a rich vein of form was Neil 'Bungalow' Reynolds who dominated at midfield. He produced a 'Man of the Match' performance, running through waves of St. Gall's defenders and earning some much needed possession throughout the game.

The match ended 1-12 1-09.

The defence were solid, although they did give away a number of frees which enabled St. Gall's to keep in touch. The Clarke brothers, Chris and Gareth, had the left wing in their back pocket and Mickey O'Neill produced another consistent display and showed yet again that he as good a hurler as he is a mixer. Undoubtedly the best hurler in the club by a mile, surely the county cannot afford to overlook his ability for another year?

Lastly, worthy of mention was substitute Niall McCallin who had a good game when he came on, making a number of long clearances which took a lot of pressure of the backline. In fact so happy was he in his own performance, and the team's result, that he decided to mark the occasion by announcing his engagement in the club afterwards, as this exclusive photo shows.

Niallsy enjoys double celebration on Sunday

St. Johns: 1. C. Cunningham 2. C. Gannon 3. R. Heenan 4. C. Clarke 5. H. Kennedy 6. M. O'Neill 7. G. Clarke 8. S. Thompson 9. N. Reynolds 10. S. Mc Crory 11. L. Knocker 12. J. Mead 13. N. Grego 14. G. Mc Fall 15. J. Peoples
Substitutes: N. McCallin for H. Kennedy, B. McFall for S. McCrory, C. Thompson for J. Mead

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