Delight for Calry Bohs as they return to the top tier
Aaron Flynn bags hat-trick in defeat of St John’s as Calry Bohs secure Premier Division title
Sligo-Leitrim DSL Sligo Pallets Premier Lge Calry Bohs 4 St John’s FC 1
THE RESURRECTION of Calry Bohs continues. Last Sunday’s capture of the Sligo Pallets Premier League title is the latest chapter for one of the cornerstones of the Sligo-Leitrim District Soccer League. The club founded in 1961 has had its lows – as well as numerous highs – and their return to the Super League erases the pain of the 2018-19 season when shortage of playing numbers forced them to withdraw from the Sligo-Leitrim District Soccer League. Calry didn’t have to beat fellow challengers St John’s FC at Hazelwood, with a draw sufficient for the trophy to be theirs, but the Premier League leaders wrapped up the season in style with a confident 4-1 defeat of a depleted St John’s.
Aaron Flynn’s hat-trick, with two of his three goals coming in the firsthalf, and a goal from his brother, Michael, earned Calry their 14th win from 22 games. St John’s, who’ve ended up in third place – the play-off spot – as a result of this outcome and Coolaney United’s defeat of Benbulben FC, netted through Steven Armstrong. A 41st minute red card for Aaron Tiernan worsened St John’s situation and three minutes later they conceded a second goal to end up trailing 2-0 at half-time. Needing to win in order to pip Calry for silverware, St John’s also needed a full squad to pick from.
But their extensive list of absentees, among them Anthony Johnston, Donal Fidgeon, Conor Brennan, Gavin Lynch and Killian Sweeney, clearly left St John’s understrength for a big ask.
In terms of firepower, both Anthony Johnston and Donal Fidgeon had scored 13 goals each this season, with Conor Brennan chipping in with nine.
What St John’s didn’t need was another setback and that’s what happened in the opening five minutes when an injury forced Jack Canning off.
Calry had their own worries, chiefly that of not slipping up in front of a large gathering, with club legend Padraic O’Connor, a Hazelwood native and Calry Bohs through and through, giving his usual encouragement from the sideline.
Just two minutes in there was a sign of things to come when Eoin Nicholson’s goalbound shot was kept out by an excellent save from St John’s goalkeeper Keelan Dunleavy. Calry forced a series of corners, the first of which came when Jack McGovern teed up Aaron Flynn for a shot that was saved by Keelan Dunleavy.
The breakthrough came after six minutes. Eoin Doherty’s corner wasn’t dealt with and Aaron Flynn had a simple header from close-range. St John’s were hanging on and only Michael Doyle’s interception prevented an Eoin Nicholson flick from reaching Eoin Doherty.
An on-target free-kick from Steven Armstrong and a Calry clearance that almost yielded an own goal were the only shreds of comfort for an already overwhelmed St John’s.
Keelan Dunleavy made another fine save, this time to frustrated Eoin Nicholson, with St John’s finally responding through good shots by Steven Armstrong and Ethan Scully. St John’s had done well to keep it at 1-0 then a straight red for Aaron Tiernan, who lunged for the ball, missed it and caught Eoin Doherty instead, put them on the back foot.
Further punishment came in the 44th minute. Cian Oates created an opening for Eoin Doherty, whose blaster from the left side of the penalty area was parried by Keelan Dunleavy. Aaron Flynn picked up possession and calmly netted from only yards out.
Calry put matters beyond their opponents within two minutes of the restart. Another corner, another less than convincing piece of defending and another close-range opportunity devoured by Aaron Flynn for his 14th Premier League goal of the 2021-22 season.
Steven Armstrong’s polished 51st minute goal for St John’s – potentially a lifeline but ultimately a consolation – at least made Calry refocus.
They did this by putting St John’s under further pressure as Eoin Doherty sent a volley over, Jack McGovern’s shot was saved and Aaron Flynn came close to scoring a fourth. Eoin Doherty would have scored the day’s best goal but an ambitious attempt from distance – with Keelan Dunleavy stranded – narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Aaron Flynn and Cian Oates were then both off target with shots. It took substitute Michael Flynn to show his teammates how to find the target – he zipped a 79th minute shot into the net from distance, the ball pinging off the post on its way in.
St John’s were glad that it stayed at 4-1 because there were late chances for Cian Oates and Eoin Doherty, who curled a shot only inches over after good work from Cathal Fitzpatrick and substitute Benedict Nwani.
Aaron Flynn’s deadly finishing for Calry rightly earn him the plaudits. Team captain Eoin Doherty was excellent, so too Jack McGovern and Eoin Nicholson, while Jamie Grehan was an uncomprising presence at full-back.
St John’s, despite the circumstances, had standouts in Steven Armstrong and Paul Scanlon, with goalkeeper Keelan Dunleavy playing his part, while Mark Gerrity and Eddie Devaney also toiled diligently.
Player of the Match: Aaron Flynn Calry Bohs: Brian Drury, Cathal Fitzpatrick, Jamie Grehan (Conor Stinchon 83), Bryan Lynch, Daire O’Boyle, Stephen Cawley (Michael Flynn 55), Eoin Doherty (c), Jack McGovern (Benedict Nwani 61), Cian Oates (Eoghan Doherty 86), Aaron Flynn, Eoin Nicholson (Paddy Heraghty 73) Subs not used: Mark Hynes, David Devaney St John’s FC: Keelan Dunleavy, Mark Gerrity, Eddie Devaney (Rory Martyn 73), Paul Scanlon, Michael Doyle (Adam Gunning 55), Steven Armstrong, Aaron Tiernna, Ethan Scully, David Heffernan (Ryan Healy 61), Darragh McGoldrick, Jack Canning (Lucas Sosa 4) Referee: Philip McLoughlin