Opening round defeat for St. John’s U-13’s

Opening round defeat for St. John’s U-13’s

St. John’s slip up against a stronger Easkey/St. Farnan’s

On a cold blustery and autumnal evening in Easkey St. Johns U-13’s began  their opening championship game against a strong Easkey/St. Farnan’s combination. Conditions were to play a major part in this game with the wind favouring the home team in the first half. Easkey/St. Farnans were quick off the mark with an opening point but there was a prompt response from St Johns scoring a point to open their account. Ronan Kelly’s accurate pass to Luke Rogers and his defence splitting pass to Darragh McGoldrick who finished expertly.

Easkey/St. Farnan’s were stronger in midfield and won a number of kick outs and their forwards scored two goals without reply despite great defending from Ben Miller, Zach Mahon, Rory Martin & Ronan Flynn.   St. John’s attempt to get back into the game was dealt a hammer blow to the influential Mark McGowan who picked up an injury with just ten minutes gone.

The home team stretched their advantage with another goal and two more points. St Johns were struggling to gain possession from their kick outs. St. John’s goalkeeper Mark Kovnecheuk pulled off a numbers of breath taking saves to keep Justin McGoldrick’s young cubs in contention.

In a well worked move involving 6 players that started with Ethan Scully in the half back line who passed to Kenneth Ogun in Midfield who in turn found Ronan Richie in the half forward line. Some intricate passing between Conor Leonard & Dean Osborne who found the unmarked and hardworking Luke Rogers who finished for an outstanding goal and the score of the match. Despite Rogers inspirational goal St. John’s found themselves under severe pressure and conceded 3-4 to Easkey going into half time.

St. John’s opened brightly in the second half with points coming from the boot of Dean Osborne & Keelan Davey. However, Easkey pulled away again with another 3-4 to be out of sight. St. John’s used their subs bench to good effect giving games to Nathan McLoughlin, Mark McDonagh, Mark Flohr & Peter Meehan who all did very well when coming on.  St. John’s did finish strongly with Ethan Scully directing home a cracking goal putting the gloss on what was a frustrating evening for the St. John’s U-13 squad.

 Feile A&B Gr 3:  St. John’s 2-3  Easkey/St. Farnan’s 10-12.  Played in Easkey Wedneday evening last.

Report: with thanks to Justin McGoldrick.

Next Fixture:

Wednesday 16th September in  Stenson Park at 6.30 p.m.

U-13 Feile Div 1 Group 3 Rd 2:  St. John’s v Curry

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