16/08/05 Two Weddings and a Championship

 

Despite having narrowly lost out to Rossa in the Senior County Hurling Championship earlier this month St. John's were back in the thick of things thanks to the back door system operating this year. This time they faced a highly fancied Ballycastle team who had run Cushendall very close in the previous round.

St. John's Senior Hurlers

More pressing for two of the senior hurlers however was not the impending Championship clash but their respective wedding days which, due to the last minute changes in the Championship setup, meant that they would potentially be playing within days of their weddings.

The two grooms reading the papers before the match

Perhaps the first big decision taken as married men (before they were even married) Conor Gannon and Mickey O'Neill had to set about explaining to their brides (Pamela and Kerry) the importance of playing for the Club come Championship day.

Roundtable talks commenced well into the night, reminiscent of scenes from the Middle East Peace Process, until at last agreement was reached on all sides. Liam Donnelly, manager of the senior team, received the good news on Thursday night and hailed it as an example of "common sense prevailing".

Whilst his full backline was restored Liam Donnelly's men were still going into the match missing influential young hurling ace Simon McCrory, midfielder Colm McFall and also forward Brian McFall.

The game was tight throughout and when County star Kieran Kelly scored a goal from a 21 yard free in the first half things were looking ominous for the Corrigan Park men. Then, like a Phoenix from the Flames, aging hurling legend Ronan Heenan emerged with a hugely influential goal. Running onto the ball Ronan skilfully and dramatically hit a reflexive one handed shot (head high) into the corner of the net leaving the Ballycastle keeper stranded. Gerard McFall (returning from injury and surgery) also stepped up to the mark with a great display of free-taking. The teams went in at half time 1-05 1-04.

The second half was no less a dramatic affair. Having only scored one point after 15 minutes St. John's made their first tactical switch of the day bringing talismanic Locky McCurdy (surely now in his 20th year of playing championship hurling for the club) on for corner-back Conor Gannon (much to the delight of his bride-to-be!) Locky's presence was instantly felt as he worked determinedly around the midfield and half forward lines and producing a fine angled point to boost St. John's. This seemed to be the catalyst for St. John's scoring as they then rhymed off a further 5 points to seal the game 1-12 1-08. Ronan Heenan and John Meade upfront tortured their markers and must won some 6-7 frees in the second half which saw St. John's through to a fine victory.

The entire team worked worked tirelessly for one another and the win was a testament to the team spirit which the management has instilled in the players this year. In defence Niall McCallin was simply awesome, whilst young Conal Maskey produced a great display in only his second ever championship game for the club at senior level. Mickey O'Neill held everything together in the full backline and he can now carry his bride off happy in the knowledge that he has no broken bones or twisted ankles.

The celebrations carried on into the changing rooms and the Ballycastle representatives who attended to offer their congratulations were understandably bemused as they approached the St. John's room. Hearing a major commotion inside they thought that a fight had broken out however they needn't have worried as it was just the 2 grooms getting handcuffed to each other by their loving teammates.

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At least they weren't handcuffed to the gates of Casement Park which was the original plan.

Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

Afterwards Conor Gannon said: "It could have been worse. They could have handcuffed me to Brendan Mackin!" The two grooms will now be on honeymoon for the next round of the championship and they wish the team all the best and hope their wives will let them back for the semi-final.