08/05/05 Johnnies come up trumps against Ballycran

St. John's vs. Ballycran (7.30)

Corrigan Park, Sunday 8th May 2005

Having suffered defeat, and played disappointingly, in their two previous league outings St. John's went into this Division 1 league game with a point to prove. St. John's went into the game missing Gerard McFall (Knee Injury) and Gareth Clarke (getting a tan on holiday), so some where a bit pessimistic about the chances of a win.

Against a stiff breeze in the first half St. John's began with the goal of trying to keep the Ballycran scores to a minimum and then use the wind in the second half to try and hopefully pull back the deficit. However, with some great work all over the park St. John's went in to the changing rooms at half time a few points the better.

With Mickey O'Neill now back at his more accustomed full-back role and Chris Clarke beginning to find a bit of form after injury the full-back line seemed more secure, as well as the half-backs having a great game especially Gerard Cunningham who dominated centre-half back and not to mention Brian Mc Fall's great distribution and Liam Knocker's great man-to-man marking job on the dangerous Brendan Mc Gourty.

With the wind at their backs the game was St. John's for the taking, and they duly responded by picking off some quick fire points on the restart. With Simon Mc Crory starting to take a strangle hold on midfield Ballycran had little response. John Mead (now at full forward) was reaping the rewards of some great early ball sent in by the half forwards he finished with a tally of 2-2 from play, with Donal O'Hara coming on for his 1st senior appearance in nearly two years he scored some nice frees from the right wing. Towards the end there was even time for the 'evergreen' Ronan Heenan (having a great battle under the dropping ball with Gary Savage) to strike a nice score from 60 metres.

With the final score 3-13 to 0-10 Ballycran were resoundingly beaten and with the majority of their scores coming from placed balls from distance and a great sideline cut, the defence could be happy enough with their nights work. With the forwards now beginning to show signs of gelling into a useful attacking unit there appears to be some good signs for the season, if the effort is kept up. With Dunloy coming in the next league game it will be a case of 'all hands to the pump' to try and get a result. Hopefully as much support could make the trip as possible to cheer the team on.

St. John's:
1. C. Cunningham 2. C. Gannon 3. M. O'Neill 4. C. Clarke 5. L. Knocker 6. G. Cunningham 7. B. Mc Fall 8. S. Mc Crory 9. C. Mc Fall 10. J. Mead 11. R. Heenan 12. P. Montgomery 13. S. Thompson 14. N. Mc Callin 15. J. Peoples
Subs: D. O'Hara for C. Mc Fall (inj)

Manager: Liam Donnelly

Mentors: Fergal Collins, Brendan Mackin, Brendan McQuillan, Michael Gannon