Keano on form as John’s impress
ST JOHN’S ST PATRICK’S 3- 18 1- 6 FORMER Sligo Rovers man Alan Keane scored 1- 05 as his St. John’s side sailed to victory in their Intermediate Football Championship opener against St. Patrick’s at Markievicz Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Carraroe side held a 2- 10 to 0- 01 lead at halftime, which victory looking certain from the opening five minutes.
Dara McGarty’s men took the lead after two minutes thanks to Paul McNamara’s point from a Brian McGowan ball, scoring his second just three minutes later.
St. Patrick’s registered their first score of the half after seven minutes thanks to Padraig Clarke, but that would prove to be their only sight at scoring for the opening half as they about to endure an onslaught from their opponents for the remainder of the half.
Tommy Kelly and Fiachra Greenan made it 0- 04 to 0- 01 with two excellently worked points before Shane Stenson did excellently to dip the ball over the head of Conor Cadden in goal to score Johns’ first goal.
That goal meant the game was almost put to bed after a mere 12 minutes, but St. Johns were not done just yet.
John Murphy added a point of his own following work from Stenson, before Alan Keane paid tribute to his soccer days, coolly hitting the back of the net.
At 2- 06 to 0- 01, St. Patrick’s manager Michael Henry must have been wondering what his side had left in their tanks, but their half wasn’t over yet.
Conor Greene and McNamara added to their tally before the interval, with Keane’s brace making it 2- 10 to 0- 01. The former Rovers man notching up 1- 03 before the half- time whistle.
Pats almost emerged for the second- half looking a bit more lively, James Clarke finally getting their second point of the game just after the re- start.
But John’s weren’t finished. James Murphy and Keane hit over, before St. Patrick’s were reduced to 14 as captain James Clarke received his second yellow of the game.
Padraig Clarke did have a wonderful opportunity to score a goal, but he sent it wide before hitting over his side’s third point of the game.
Pierce Kearins gave the West Sligo side a bit of life when he hit the back of the net to take the score- line to 2- 12 to 1- 03. McGowan was next up to point for John’s, but Paul Boland responded seconds later.
Keane, Murphy and McGowan added further points for Johns, with Clarke getting one back for Pats. McNamara made it 2- 17 to 1- 05, but Grennan’s late goal but all of Pats hopes of a miraculous comeback to bed.
Clarke’s late point would prove a consolation, with David Rooney rounding up the scoring with his last minute point to finish a difficult afternoon for Patricks on 3- 18 to 1- 06.
St Patrick’s: Conor Cadden, Brendan Martin, James Kearins, Jack Egan, Patrick Kevany, James Clarke, Ciaran Brady ( Cathal O’Brien), Enda Connolly, Pierce Kearins, Dean Mahon, David Giblin, Ciaran Giblin ( Donal Kilcullen), Donal Brady, Padraig Clarke, Paul Boland.
St. John’s: Noel Hynes, Robbie Fahy, David Burke, Neal Hayes ( Barry O’Dwyer), Oisin Cox, Feidhlim Murphy ( Aaron Clerkin), Tommy Kelly ( Enda Roche), David Rooney, James Murphy, Brian McGowan ( Conor Brennan), Paul McNamara, Fiachra Grennan, Alan Keane, Shane Stenson, Conor Greene ( Ross Gordon).