Morgan spot on to give St John’s deserved win

Morgan spot on to give St John’s deserved win

4 May 2016

ST John’s made it two home wins in four days to catapult themselves off the foot of Division 2 to a mid-table position with five games played.

It’s been a long time since Liatroim and St John’s played in a competitive league game and there much hype and anticipation around this local derby, which drew a good crowd on a cold evening.

A snow shower about half an hour before throw-in led to playing conditions more akin to an end of season match in November than an early season spring game.

Both teams were missing a few regulars and St John’s lined out for the second game in succession without former county man and last season’s top scorer John Clarke, who is recovering from an ankle injury as well as regular defenders Darren Savage, Hugh Flanagan and Harry McMullan.

It was the visitors who started brightest with three early points from lively full forward Pearse Og McCrickard. It was almost 10 minutes before the Johnnies got their first score, courtesy of a neat score by Conor Gilmore.

This was followed by a Gilmore free and a good score from Chris McKay from play.

McKay added a free from all of 50 yards to put the Johnnies in front for the first time.

Barry Russell then found himself bearing down on goal only to be upended by a Liatroim defender who was subsequently black carded. Conor Morgan expertly dispatched the plenty giving Dan Morgan no chance.  

McKay added another from play to put the Johnnies five clear. Liatroim ended the half with a score from play to leave the half-time score 1-5 to 0-4 for the home team.

A Liam Doyle free opened the scoring in the second half as Liatroim pressed hard for scores, but they found the Johnnies defence in great form, in particular Mark Grant, the Flanagan’s and Cathal O’Connor. 

Ten minutes into the second half came the decisive score. A good move saw corner back Grant bearing down on goal only to be fouled by Dan Morgan, another penalty resulted and again Morgan made no mistake to put the Johnnies into a 2-6 to 0-5 lead.

The hard working Barry Russell added another score and Jonty Addis blazed a point over which could have found the net.

The Johnnies were rocked by a Liatroim penalty, the third of the game, which was put away by McCrickard. But they rallied and a brilliant long ball from Conor Braniff found Gilmore inside and he made no mistake by blasting past Morgan to wrap up the win for the Johnnies.

Another great team performance form St John’s with every player giving it all in testing conditions. After a difficult start things are looking up for Paul McShane’s men. 

McShane and his back room team will be hoping the injuries are all cleared up for two tough away trips to Clann na Banna and Darragh Cross on Friday and Monday respectively.

The Johnnies faithful will enjoy this rare win over their more illustrious neighbours from over the road.

St Johns scorers: Conor Morgan (2-0, 2pens), Conor Gilmore (1-3, 0-2f), Chris McKay (0-4, 0-1f), Johhny Addis (0-1), Barry Russell (0-1). 

Man of the match: Mark Grant