Charlie Harrison appointed National G.A.A Cul Camp Co-ordinator

The St.John’s Club would like to congratulate Charlie Harrison on his promotion as National G.A.A Cul Camp Co-ordinator in Croke Park.  Charlie is very much involved in the Sligo G.A.A scene coaching for the past 6 seasons.   Sligo’s loss will be Croke Park’s gain.  We wish Charlie the very best in his new position

Harrison & Rooney star for St. Johns

Harrison & Rooney star for St. Johns

St. John’s stop start season has finally gained some momentum following a deserved victory over Curry played in warm sunshine in Markievicz Park on Saturday evening last, writes Michael McGee.

The Gods finally shone down on a St. John’s side who conceded two quick fire goals from Geevagh in the previous round. This time two goals in the first half following blunders in the Curry defence gifted St. John’s and put them on the road to victory.  The highlights of the match will be best remembered by two epic points scored from St. John’s Charlie Harrison and Mark Rooney.

Curry threatened right at the very start which seen Stephen Kilcoyne in space in front of goal and Noel O’Donnell pulled off a magnificent right handed save to deny the Curry forward.  Adrian Marren opened the scoring from 20 meters after 5 minutes.  Tenacious defending from Curry managed to keep their line from being breached.  St. John’s talisman Charlie Harrison who threatened every time he had ball in hand got St. John’s first score following a strong run from Tommy Kelly through the heart of the Curry defence. Harrison hand passed over the bar to open St. John’s account on 11 minutes. St. John’s full forward Ian Rossitor put the Carraroe side in front with a good score from 16 meters out and it was to get even better for Anthony Brennan’s side when Fiachra Grennan capitalized on a defensive lapse in the Curry defence to score a goal from close range with 16 minutes gone. Curry’s imposing midfielder Sean Davey reduced St. John’s lead with a good score following good work from Steven Kilcoyne.  St. John’s Tommy Kelly was posing problems for the Curry rearguard with his seering pace running route 1 straight towards the Curry goal every time he gained possession.  Kelly was hauled down 20 meters from the Curry goal and Shane Stenson tapped over the resulting free. Killian Sweeney pointed after Stenson’s attempted point was block down to put St. John’s into a 1-3 0-2 lead after 23 minutes of play.  Curry’s county star Adrian Marren was stopped when heading for goal. He took the resulting 14 metre free himself.  Disaster struck again for Denis Carney’s side with O’Hora in the Curry goal dropping the ball out of his hands and Tommy Kelly duly stuck the snapshot into the empty net for a fortuitous strike to set St. John’s heartstrings dancing amongst their supporters.  Kevin Giblin pointed for Curry on the stroke of half time with St. John’s leading by 2-4 to 0-5.

 Four points from Curry two each from Steven Kilcoyne & Adrian Marren reduced St. John’s lead by the minimum 2-4 0-9 by the 40 minute.  Just when it looked that Curry would take over up stepped one Charlie Harrison. Harrison’s moment of magic scored an inspiration point from over on the right  side line landing a monster shot from an acute angle from 20 metres. Aaron Clerkin who was having a fine game for the Carraroe men was black carded soon after.  St. John’s Anthony Brennan signalled for Mark Rooney to enter the fray and he made an immediate impact and changed the course of the match.   Rooney’s first touch on the ball seen him point following a good pass from the energetic Tommy Kelly.  Almost immediately Rooney  was on hand to double his strike rate in as many minutes to put St. John’s into an 2-7 0-9 lead after 20 minutes of the second half played. Points from Giblin & Marren kept Curry in touch but St. John’s finished strongly. Tommy Kelly reminiscence of Meath’s David “Jinksy” Beggy set off on a mazy 45 metre run and guided the ball over the bar. Another outrageous scintillating score this time from Rooney near where Charlie Harrison scored his put St. John’s almost out of sight. Killian Sweeney made sure St. John’s were going home happy with a point in added time.  Anthony Brennan will be overall pleased with his side’s performance with every member showing a willingness to work hard. Particularly satisfying unlike last week against Geevagh the side didn’t panic when Curry scored 4 points with reply early in the second half. Harrison’s wonder point and that of Rooney’s set St. John’s up for a deserved win.  Best for St John’s was Charlie Harrison, Mark Rooney, Niall Walsh, Fiachra Greenan, Tommy Kelly, Shane Stenson & Aaron Clerkin while Curry had the influential Adrian Marren, Sean Davey, Stephen Kilcoyne, Thomas Colleary, Kevin Giblin & Brian McDonagh all playing their part.

Scorers St. John’s Fiachra Greenan 1-0, Tommy Kelly 1-1, Mark Rooney 0-3, Charlie Harrison 0-2, Killian Sweeney 0-2, Ian Rossitor 0-1, Shane Stenson 0-1.

Curry: Adrian Marren 0-5, Stephen Kilcoyne 0-2, Kevin Giblin 0-2, Sean Davey 0-1, Brian McDonagh 0-1.

St. John’s:  Noel O’Donnell, Aaron Clerkin, Niall Walsh, Enda Roche, Feidhlim Murphy, David Rooney, Jamie Grehan, James Murphy, Shane Stenson, Charlie Harrison, Philip Greene, Tommy Kelly, Ian Rossitor, Fiachra Grennan, Killian Sweeney.

Subs: Oisin Cox for Murphy 38 mins, Daniel Smith for James Murphy 38 mins, Conor Green for Ian Rossitor 38 mins,

Curry: John O’Hora, Johnny Durcan, Tommy Stenson, Kenneth Morley, Sean Haran, Aodan Brennan, James Walsh, Thomas Colleary Sean Davey,  Stephen Kilcoyne, Brian McDonagh, Conor McIntrye, Danny O’ Hora,  Adrian Marren, Kevin Giblin,

Subs: Keith Davey for McIntryre 38 mins,  Sean Doherty for O’Hara 43 mins,  Stephen Maher for Brennan 57 minutes

Referee: Ciaran O’Donnell

St. John's Cul Camps Success

The St. John's Cul Camps finished this evening in glorious sunshine. Over 40 of the Club's young and future stars took part in the programme. The club are indebted to all the Coaches who demonstrated the skills. Seamus Flanagan of Flanagan Cycles sponsors of the Club's very successful Nursery Programme was also thanked for his continued support to the club.

Ross Gordon Senior player, Seamus Flanagan Flanagan Cycles & Niall Gordon Intermediate Manager with Cul Camps participants

Seamus Flanagan Flanagan Cycles sponsors of the Club's Nursery Programme

In a few short years time we may be looking back at this photo of a potential Senior Star

Future stars enjoying the games

Double header in Markievicz Park involving St. John's

Saturday August 23^rd in Markievick Park at 5.00 p.m.

Kennedy’s Intermediate Football Championship Group 2

St. John’s v St. Patrick’s

Belfry  Senior Football Championship  Group 1 At 6.45

St. John’s v Curry

St. John's U-16's remain unbeaten

Expert Electrical U-16 C Championship

St. John’s 3-8 St. Michael’s 1-13

St. John’s remain unbeaten

St. John’s made it 2 wins out of 2 in this year’s Expert Electrical U-16 C Championship but had to fight all the way against a resolute St. Michael’s side who can count themselves very  unlucky not to have won the match  having struck the crossbar on no less than 3 occasions writes Michael McGee.

Ryan Walsh had an outstanding match and would end as top scorer with a personal tally of 1-8 for the young St. Michael’s star. Walsh was quick into his stride his shot came off the crossbar in the first attack. The St. John’s goalie had to alert had to make a great save from Eamon Keavney.  It was Walsh again that opened the scoring on 3 minutes with a left footed point on the right wing.  Two minutes later a defence splitting pass from St. John’s Cameron Keavney to Darren Neilis who blasted to the net from 14 metres.  Keavney pointed himself soon after with St. John’s leading 1-1 to 0-1.

Four Points from the impressive Walsh and one from Jack Haran in an dominant 8 minute spell seen St. Michael’s into 0-6 1-1 after 16 minutes.   Haran had a chance of a goal when he gathered a weak kick out from the St. John’s goalie but he shot tamely wide with the goal at his mercy. The St. John’ s management made  an astute substitution when bringing on Darren Somers for Evan Davy after 19 minutes and he made an immediate impact when slotting over a point.  The St. Michael’s goalie Richard Fallon pulled of a tremendous save from Cameron Keavney for a 45. Keavney took the free off the ground and Somers rose highest to punch the ball to the net for a great individual goal to put St. John’s into a 2-2 to 0-6 on 24 minutes.   Fallon in the St. Michael’s goal denied Cathal Jordan what looked like a certain goal 2 minutes later.  Points from Ryan Clancy & Ryan Walsh ensured both teams would go into the interval level with St John’s 2-2 to 0-8 St.Michael’s . 

Darren Somers raced 20 metres before off loading to Scott McGarry who point at the start of the second half for the Carraroe side.  Walsh kept St. Michael’s in it with a free from 20 meters.   Scott McGarry had an excellent chance to put St. John’s further ahead after been put through by Somers intelligent ball. McGarry couldn’t control it and the ball dribbled harmlessly wide.  St.Michael’s missed a number of good scoring opportunities and a number of bad wides with  the ball dropping invitingly into the arms of the St. John’s goalie. James Baker steadied St. Michael’s with a long range point.  Patrick McDonagh found Darren McNeilis in space and McNeilis popped it over the bar to level the match at 2-4 to 0-10.   Cathal Jordan’s brace of points put a little daylight between the teams.   Ryan Clancy reduced the St. John’s lead with a well struck score.   St. Michael ‘s began to get on top and Ryan Walsh ran at the St. John’s defence and cracked a powerful shot off the crossbar following a sweeping counter attack  and put St. Michael’s into an 1-11 to 2-6 lead with 18 minutes gone. Walsh gave an outstanding display and again pointed a 14 metre free.  Back came St. John’s again with a point from Darren Somers and almost immediately  Darren McNeilis scored his second goal following good work form Keavney. Patrick Donagh  added a point with time almost up.  In almost the last passage of play St Michael’s Ryan Healy had a chance to win it but his goal bound shot came off the crossbar. Kyle Crawley gathered the rebound and pointed to end the scoring with St. John’s getting an almighty scare from St. Michael to win by the narrowest of margins 3-8 to 1-13. St John’s best players were Darren McNeilis, Darren Somers, Cathal Jordan, Cameron Keavney, Conor McGovern while St. Michael’s had the outstanding Ryan Walsh, Ryan Healy, Ryan Clancy and James Baker all making telling contributions.

Scores St. John’s  Darren McNeilis 2-0, Darren Somers 1-3, Cathal Jordan 0-2, Cameron Keavney 0-1, Scott McGarry 0-1, Patrick McDonagh 0-1,

St. Michael’s  Ryan Walsh 1-8, Ryan Clancy 0-2, Jack Haran 0-1, Kyle Crawley 0-1, James Baker 0-1

St. John’s : Conor McGovern, Patrick Hansbury, Darren Fleming, Cathal Byrne, Shane Egan, Cameron Keavney, Cathal Jordan, Scott McGarry, Patrick McDonagh, Evan Davy  Jordan Gorman,

Subs used: Darren McNeilis ,Joe Spratt, Darren Somers, Dillon Lynch McMorrow

St.Michael’s :Richard Fallon, Kyle Crawley, Niall Mullin,  Ryan Clancy, Darren Kelly, Jack Haran, Ryan Healy,  Ryan Walsh, James Baker, Kevin Baker, Eamon Keavney.

Subs used: Jack Clerkin,

Referee: Rory Dillon.

Geevagh defeat St. John's

Sweeney’s goals decisive

Geevagh’s Kenneth Sweeney two second half goals in a two minute spell proved decisive for Geevagh as they put in a storming second half performance to see off the spirited challenge from St. Johns in Corran Park, Ballymote on Saturday evening last, writes Michael McGee

Sweeney’s two goal salvo turned the contest on its head. St Johns had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but just had a slender three point advantage to show for their endeavours.

St. John’s looked the livelier in the first half; however it was Geevagh’s Pat Cawley who opened the scoring after just twenty seconds when pointing from 14 metres on the right wing. Twenty year- old Ross Gordon had the side’s level with a pointed score on the run after 3 minutes. Shane Stenson scored the first of his 5 points tally for St. John’s from a free 24 metres out. The St. John’s rearguard was doing well particularly Eoin Flanagan & Niall Walsh who hassled & harried in numbers the Geevagh forwards into mistakes. St John’s midfielder Paul McNamara slotted over after running 30 metres to score a fine point.  With just 10 minutes gone St. John’s went into a 4-1 lead thanks to Tommy Kelly. Geevagh’s Kevin Henry reduced St. John’s lead with a well executed score from a difficult angle.  A minute later there was just the minimum in it when Geevagh’s Corner forward Keith McGrath pointed.  Geevagh came more and more into the game following a sluggish first 10 minutes. Shane Stenson pointed from 24 metres out. St John’s David Rooney pointed a free off the ground from 45 metres putting St. John’s into a 6-3 lead after 17 minutes of play. St. John’s goalkeeper Noel O’Donnell was called into action and pulled of an outstanding point blank save from Geevagh’s Pat Hughes who let fly from 14 metres out. O’Donnell was equal to it getting down smartly smothering the shot.   Kenneth Sweeney began to make inroads into the St. John’s defence with a well worked score. Shane Stenson was again on hand to score from 21 meters following an accurate cross field pass from David Rooney.  Rooney provider turned poacher almost immediately with a point from 23 metres to put St. Johns into a 0-8 to 0-5 lead after 24 minutes of play. Soon after St. John’s made the first of their 3 substitutions with Conor Greene replacing Fiachra Grennan.   The St. John’s defence stood up tall defending in numbers and swarmed around the Geevagh forwards at almost every opportunity.  Still Cormac Hughes found a way through the teak tough St. John’s defence to collect a misplaced shot from Pat Cawley that went across the face of the goal and appeared to be going wide. Hughes reacted quickest to slot over to leave St. John’s with a slender 0-8 to 0-5 advantage at half time despite their dominance for most of the first half. 

Sweeney’s goal rush

At half time the St. John’s manager Anthony Brennan had some stern words to say to his players asking them for more conviction.  Yet it was Geevagh who came out with all guns blazing. Within the first 8 minutes of the second half the teams were on level terms with points form Pat Hughes, Kenneth Sweeney & Cormac Hughes.   Shane Stenson put St. Johns into the lead again but it was short lived.   The Geevagh midfield was beginning to cut loose with play opening up. A high ball in from Kevin Byrne was caught by Sweeney who rounded the goalie before shooting into the empty net to put Geevagh in front after 40 minutes.  Geevagh’s Eamon McDonagh was then shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge soon after.  Stenson pointed the resulting free.   Another lofty high ball delivered in from midfield was caught out of the sky by Sweeney who had only one thing on his mind as he turned swiftly and rattled the back of the St. John’s net again with a rasping shot.  St. John’s even with numerical supremacy couldn’t make it count.  Between the fourteenth and twenty first minute Geevagh pulled further clear with four unanswered points from Pat Hughes, Pat Cawley, Colm McManus & Cormac Hughes to lead by 2-12 to 0-10 with 9 minutes left to play.  Stenson had an opportunity to reduce the Geevagh lead but he shot badly wide from his point attempt from 21 metres out.  He made amends from almost the same position shortly afterwards. A David Rooney free off the ground from all of 45 metres sailed over the bar but still left 2 clear goals in it. A great pass from Stenson to the unmarked Jamie Murphy pointed with time almost up.  Still there was time for man of the match Kenneth Sweeney to land a colossal point from over 48 metres out and raised his hand over his head to mark an outstanding individual display finishing with a personal tally of 2-3.  Geevagh’s quintuplets of gentle giants Pat Cawley, Shane McManus, Kenneth Sweeney, Pat Hughes & Kevin Byrne had aerial supremacy especially in the second half and they made it count with devastating effect. For St. John’s the tactic of keeping the game tight and closing down the Geevagh forwards worked well in the first half but once the play opened up the Carraroe men faced an uphill battle. Shane Stenson was the St. John’s best player and he was ably supported by the hard working David Rooney, Charlie Harrison, Niall Walsh, Eoin Flanagan & Paul McNamara.

Footnote:  The Ballymote Club have to be commended for having the pitch looking in perfect playing condition and the Sligo G.A.A Board provided a very useful match programme for the local press and supporters.

Scores Geevagh: Kenneth Sweeney 2-3, Cormac Hughes 0-3, Pat Hughes 0-3,Kevin Henry 0-1, Pat Cawley 0-1,Ketih McGrath 0-1, Colm McManus.

St. John’s: Shane Stenson 0-5 (2 frees), David Rooney 0-4 (2 frees) Jamie Murphy 0-1, Ross Gordon 0-1, Paul McNamara 0-1, Tommy Kelly 0-1.

Geevagh:  Darren Kearns,  Sean O’Rourke, Eamon McDonagh,  Denis O’Rouke,  David O’Reilly, Kevin Byrne, Dominic Kearins, Pat Hughes, Shane McManus, Kevin Henry, Pat Cawley, Colm McManus, Keith McGrath, Cormac Hughes, Kenneth Sweeney

Subs used:  Barry Sweeney for Kenneth Sweeney (59 mins)

St. John’s: Noel O’Donnell, Niall Walsh, Neal Hayes, Enda Roche, Feidhlim Murphy, David Rooney, Eoin Flanagan, Paul McNamara, Shane Stenson, Fiachra Greenan, Philip Greene, Tommy Kelly, Charlie Harrison, Ian Rossitor, Ross Gordon

Subs used: Conor Greene for  Grennan (25 mins)  Jamie Murphy for Gordon (Half time), Aaron Clerkin for Roche (45 mins) 

Referee: Ciaran McGovern

St. John's Seniors & Intermediate Fixtures this weekend

Belfry Senior Football Championship Group 1
Saturday 16th August in Corran Park Ballymote at 7.00 pm.
St. John's v Geevagh

Kennedys Intermediate Football Championship Group 2
Sunday 17th August  in Bunninadden Community Park at 5.00 p.m.
St. John's v Eastern Harps

Club Jackpot is €7,800

There was no winner of the Club lotto draw held on Sunday evening for a jackpot of €7750. €25 euros were Pauline Flynn Rosehill, Marie Little Aughamore Near, David Moore Geevagh, Dermot Reilly Ballina. Next draw will be held in the Blue Lagoon on Saturday August 23^rd at 11 p.m. for a jackpot of €7,800.  Tickets are €2 each and book of 3 for €5. Tickets can be had in local outlets. Your support will be appreciated. 

Quarter of St. John's players ready to take on the Kingdom

There will be a blue army to take on the Kerry in the All-Ireland Junior Football Semi-final with the quarter of St. John's players  Eoin Flanagan, Conor Kerins, Oisin Cox & Killian Sweeney ready to do battle  in Cusack Park Ennis on Saturday at 3.00 p.m.

Best of luck to all our club players in action and to team and management.

Minor defeated by Tubbercurry/Cloonacool

Last Thursday St. John’s Minor team were beaten by Tubbercurry/Cloonacool on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-8 in the Minor A championship. The match was played in Stenson Park in extremely wet conditions.  In an even first half Tubbercurry/Cloonacool went in at half time leading by 0-6 to 0-3.

In a tight second half there was no more than 3 points between the teams going into the last few minutes. St. John’s went in search of an equalizing goal but were caught on the counter attack conceding a goal with the last play of the game.

Scores for St. John’s  Patrick McDonagh 0-3, Paul McNamara 0-2, Brian McGowan 0-2, Keelan Kelly 0-1.

Team on duty was: Ryan Blake, Evan Tuffy, Conor Sweeney, Alex Selby, Aaron Clerkin, Conor King, Paul McNamara, Brian McGowan, Keelan Kelly, Cian Haugh, Patrick McDonagh, Malachy Spratt, Conor McGovern, Jack Lynch, Cathal Jordan & Emmett Flanagan.

Minor’s next game is away to Calry/St. Joseph’s on Thursday 14^th August at 7 p.m.

(report with thanks to Fergal Henry)

St. John's go under to Enniscrone in Intermediate Championship

Our Intermediate team were beaten by Enniscrone/Kilglass in round 3 of Intermediate Championships on Sunday in Markievicz Park. St. John’s conceded two early goals in the game but came storming back with points from Robert Galvin, James Noonan, Rory Kerins, Mark Gerrity (2) and Brian Caffrey. Geoff Corcoran goaled at the end of a move that involved 7 players and left St. John’s just 1 point behind at half time.

Playing against a strong wind in the second half was always going to be a tough assignment and Enniscrone finished strongly to run out comfortable winners in the end.

Best for St. John’s were James Noonan, Paul McDonnell, Rory Kerins in defense while David Burke and captain Jamie Grehan in midfield tried hard and forwards Geoff Corcoran, Robbie Fahy & Mark Gerrity showed up well in attack.

Team on duty were: Ryan Blake, Alex Selby, Paul McDonnell, Terry Farrelly, Shane Kilcawley, Rory Kerins, Robert Fahy, David Burke, Paul McNamara, Robbie Galvin, James Noonan, Mark Gerrity, Bran Caffrey, Geoff Corcoran. Subs: Andrew Kerr, Conor Sweeney, Niall Rooney, Ray Henry & David Heffernan.

Congratulations also to  St. John's Cathal Jordan, Conor McGovern & Cameron Keaney who are members of the Sligo U-16 team that won the Shield final over Galway today in Ballyhaunis. A great win coming so soon after the County captured the Fr. Manning cup over Offaly in Longford last week.