Goals crucial to St. Johns’ victory

ST. JOHN’S CASTLECONNOR 2-08 0-09

IN the Kennedy Intermediate quarter-final played in terrible weather conditions on Sunday in Bunninadden Community Park, St Johns ran out deserving winners with five points to spare over West division side Castleconnor.

Both sides lined out without their county players with Castleconner’s Kevin McDonnell recovering from a recent operation and Charlie Harrison failing a late fitness test for the Carraroe boys.

The driving rain and wind which swept down the pitch dictated that the quality of the play was not up to the standard that these two teams are capable of delivering as both tried valiantly to overcome the greasy ball and the slippery underfoot conditions.

The strong wind made scoring difficult and caused many well-directed shots to drift off target.

Castleconnor had first use of the gale-force wind and took the lead in the first minute when midfielder Sean Carrabine slotted over a 45.

Their lead was extended with a Brian Howley point from play. The Saints struck back with an opportunist goal from Alan Keane when he fisted a loose ball to the Castleconnor net in the 5th min. A Carabine point from play equalised the game only for Keane to put the Carraroe lads back in front with a point from play.

Castleconnor were attempting long-range scores with the wind whereas St Johns tried to play possession football.

In the 17th min Kevin Langan levelled up the game with a point but Keane quickly pointed to regain the Saints lead and then a Brian Mc Gowan point extended it further.

For the last 10 minutes of the first half Castleconnor got more on top and points from Paul Flynn, Carrabine and a brace from wing back Alan Cawley left the score at 0-8 to 1-3 for the Castleconnor boys with the prospect of facing a strong breeze in the second half.

Castleconnor were forced to replace injured midfielder Ciaran Kilcullen with James Boland And by the 8th minute they were in arrears when Keane pointed a difficult free and then David Rooney made a great solo run from midfield linking up with Mc Gowan before he rifled the return pass to the Castleconnor net.

Another pointed Keane free and long-distance efforts from Paul Mc Namara and Fiachra Grennan further extended the Saints lead, with a pointed free by Carrabine being the only response from Castleconnor as they tried hard to penetrate the St Johns defence which was well marshalled by goalkeeper Noel O’Donnell.

A point from play by Rooney completed the scoring.

St Johns; N O’Donnell; A Clerkin, R Fahy, E Roche, N Walsh, P Mc Namara, D Smith, J Murphy, D Rooney,T Kelly, B Mc Gowan, C Greene,A Keane, F Grennan S Stenson. Subs K Sweeny for Stenson, M Rooney for Greene, C Jordan for T Kelly and R Mc Manus for F Greenan

Castleconnor; A Kilcullen; R Keane, K Earls, B Howley; A Cawley, K Mc Donnell, C Barrins ; C Kilcullen, S Carrabine ; L Munnelly P Flynn, R Healy ; M Cahill, B Howley, K Langan ; Subs J Boland for Kilcullen, S Durkin for R Healy