O’Sullivan goals key to St. Johns landing silverware
St. Johns 2-14 Lismire 0-8
ST JOHN’S drew on all their experience to quell an eager Lismire to collect the Duhallow Nevin Cup Division 3 Football League title following a lively encounter at Boherbue last Sunday.
At the end of the hour, victory belonged to the more accomplished St. Johns outfit, having built up a six point interval lead, they comfortably defended it during the second half before pulling away during the latter stages.
Indeed St. Johns always looked able to control and dictate the pace of the game and more importantly, they were able to respond tellingly to Lismire scores. Holding all the answers, the victors ball retention, support play and finishing proved superior, highlighted on goals netted by Peter O’Sullivan at the close of both halves that proved decisive.
Lismire gave it their all in a game of fantastic endeavour but it wasn’t sufficient to halt a gritty St. Johns from stamping their authority on the proceedings. After the sides traded early pointed frees to Damien Finn and Shane Kelleher, St. John’s controlled matters with Kevin Sheehan, Eric Barrett and Adrian Sheehan finding the target.
Far from being discouraged, Lismire succeeded on weathering the storm thanks to the vigilance of ‘keeper Padraig Denn, well supported by James Moynihan, Mark Field and Finn. Points to Denis and Damien Finn left the minimum between the sides, only for St. John’s to quickly regain the initiative, points to Kelleher and Barrett, preceeded a goal from O’Sullivan for a commanding 1-7 to 0-4 advantage at the break.
On the restart, Lismire showed no signs of flagging, Stephen Jones and Damien Finn answered points from Kelleher, Pa Rohan and substitute Adrian Sheehan. When it mattered, St. John’s rose the tempo, Kelleher and Rohan resisted superbly in defence with Kevin Sheehan and John O’Mahony thriving at midfield.
That allowed good ball into attack, O’Sullivan, at the end of a productive move to find the net for the second occasion. The strike removed any lingering doubt about the outcome, St. John’s kept the scoreboard ticking over sufficiently to ensure comfortable daylight at the full time whistle.
JOHN’S: H Sheehan; P O’Keeffe, D O’Keeffe; S Kellehe 0-3f, C Lane, P Rohan; K Sheehan 0-1, J O’Mahony 0-1; A Sheehan 0-1, T Sheahan, B Kelleher; P O’Sullivan 2-0, E Barrett 0-4(0-1f). Subs. D Kelleher for S Kelleher; N Corkery for B Kelleher, A Sheehan 0-2 for T Sheehan, P Corkery for A Sheehan.
LISMIRE: P Denn; P Buckley, R Kiely; S McSweeney, S Kiely, J Moynihan; N O’Connor, M Field 0-1; Denis Finn 0-1, Damien Finn 0-5(0-4f), J Sheehan; M McSweeney, S Jones 0-1. Subs. D Kearney for N O’Connor(inj), C Field for J Sheehan.
REFEREE: J Hartnett (Boherbue)