Second defeat for St. John's in league

The St. John's team that played Eastern Harps

McGill stars for Eastern Harps

Eastern Harps recorded their second victory over St. John’s in three weeks with an inspirational display from flying full forward Niall McGill in Stenson Park on Sunday, writes Michael McGee.

In an impressive first half display McGill’s personal tally of 0-7 was one of the few highlights in a half hearted disjointed opening 30 minutes especially from the home side.

In a disappointing match for the home side who were almost leaderless on the field on the field of play and lacking any real potency or flair in the forward line. Without some imminent remedial action it could be short summer for a St. John’s side that were lacking in ambition and ideas.
In almost ideal conditions it was the Harps that ran out comfortable winners over a St. John’s side that were short on scoring options owing to a number of injuries to key players.

Niall McGill opened the scoring after just 2 minutes with a 45’ off the ground. Two minutes he doubled the Harps lead with another 45 that sailed between the posts. Shane O’Hara extended Eastern Harps lead with a point from 14 metres out while shortly afterwards Niall McGill turned his opposite number and floated the ball over the bar from 21 metres out. Martin Doherty’s point was waved wide by the umpire but referee Gerard Higgins awarded the free to put Eastern Harps 5 points up after just 12 minutes of play. St. John’s finally opened their account after an excellent catch by David Rooney who was then dragged down on the 14 metre line and Martin Rooney duly pointed on 14 minutes. The St. John’s rearguard were forced into conceding frees as a fitter Eastern Harps began to dominate.
McGill punished an overworked St. John’s defence with another pointed free. McGill fielded a high dropping ball turned brilliantly and within an instant shot straight over the bar for a fine individual score. Further scores from Raftery and McGill (2) put Eastern Harps well out on front. The Eastern Harps goalie Stephen Heraghty saved brilliantly from Brian Harris who was clean through on goal but the Harps goalie was quickly down to smoother the shot and avert the danger. Midfielder Paul McNamara who starred for Summerhill College in the recent Connacht A Colleges defeat moved up field and slotted over while St. John’s other midfielder Shane Stenson pointed a free on the stroke of half time with Eastern Harps leading 0-10 to 0-3.

What ever St.John’s manager Tommy McManus said to his troops at half time it seemed to have the desired effect. Within the first six minutes of the second half a mini St. John’s revival reduced the Harps lead to 4 points with scores coming from Stenson , Robbie Fahy and Brian Harris. St. John’s introduced Ross Gordon son of the joint Club Chairman Niall Gordon on 33 minutes and he was one of the better forwards who was eager to get involved for the remainder of the match. The St. John’s goalie Noel O’Donnell was called into action when saving superbly from Fiachra Gorman who was bearing down on goals. In the next Harps attack Gorman made sure with a well worked score and John Raftery with another free after 17 mins of the second half gone. The game was put well and truly beyond St. John’s reach with a quick movement involving John Raftery who passed the ball onto Michael Pilkington who seen the inrushing Declan Hannon totally free and the substitute made no mistake giving O’Donnell in the St. John’s goal no chance with 8 minutes remaining. The game peter out after that and Tommy McManus’s charges did tag on what was in effect two consolation scores from Mark Rooney & Brian Harris.

Best for the winners were Declan Hannon, Tony Taylor, Niall McGill, John Raftery & Shane O’Hara while St. John’s Shane Stenson, Niall Walsh, Alex Selby, Noel O’Donnell, Paul McNamara & Ross Gordon all tried hard

Scorers: St. John’s Mark Rooney 0-2, Shane Stenson 0-2, Brian Harris 0-2, Paul McNamara 0-1, Robbie Fahy 0-1.

Eastern Harps: Niall McGill 0-7, Declan Hannon 1-0, John Raftery 0-2, Shane O’ Hara 0-1, Martin Doherty 0-1, Fiachra Gorman 0-1.

St. John’s: Noel O’Donnell, Niall Walsh, Eoin Flanagan, Alex Selby, Conor Kerins, Oisin Cox, Robbie Fahy, Shane Stenson, Paul McNamara, Mark Cunningham, Brian Harris, Conor Greene, Tommy Kelly, Mark Rooney, David Rooney. Sub Ross Gordon (33 mins)

Stephen Heraghty, Barry Cryan, Kevin Cryan, Darragh Madden, Paul McGovern, Micky Grady, Kevin Gallagher, Tony Taylor, Thomas Cryan, Michael Clarke, John Raftery, Michael Pilkington, Shane O’Hara, Niall McGill, Martin Doherty. Subs Used. Fiachra Gorman (17 mins) ,Declan Hannon (43 mins) , Conor Higgins (50 mins) Niall Henry (58 mins)

Referee: Gerard Higgins