St. Johns celebrate breakthrough title

A SEASON that the faithful St. Johns club had been waiting for arrived in late 2017 on writing a new name on the Duhallow roll of honour by virtue of winning the Duhallow Junior B Football Championship title, celebrated at a function in the Killarney Oaks Hotel last Saturday.

From a roller coaster season, St. Johns were pipped by both Lough Rovers and Cobh in county championship and league finals yet their perseverance paid off, simply no stopping St. Johns from taking a victory over Dromtariffe in the Duhallow final.

St. John’s GAA is one of Cork’s youngest clubs added its entry to the Duhallow GAA fraternity at the turn of the current decade. The newly formed combination took to the field for the first time in March 2010 away to Meelin in a league fixture. So far, so good, positive strides made and seven years on, the Saints delivered their first piece of silverware.

Duhallow Board Vice Chairman Steven Lynch applauded the development of the club on and off the field that earned a worthy divisional title.

Team coach Jimmy Murphy commended all involved for their dedication and honesty through a long season.

“We’re on a journey, half way there and I’ve no doubt, we are capable of adding to our success. After losing three semi finals in 2016, we reached three finals last year with 21-24 players training, to see the emotion on the field after the Duhallow Final was just brilliant.

Individual Awards were accepted by Brian Kelleher, Most Dedicated Player; Jerome Ring, Score of the Year; David Barrett and Kevin Sheehan received the Joint Player of the Year and former Chairman John Twomey accepted Club Person of the Year.