St John’s U-14s squeeze past Loughinisland in table top clash

St John’s 7-05 v 2-16 Bredagh                                                       Thu 9^th Jun

They say “goals win games” and so it proved on Thursday evening at St John’s where the home side’s ability to find the net, counted for more than Loughinisland’s ability to knock over points from play. Loughinisland will feel disappointed to get nothing from this game for they were the dominant team for periods, especially in the first half, played very attractive football, and created sufficient chances for the game to have gone their way.

Indeed, from the outset, Loughinisland were clearly the better side. Their passing was crisp, their handling was immaculate and their support play was first rate. With Patrick McKinney in midfield and Killian Monan at the edge of the square the best players on view at this stage they were handing out a football lesson. It wasn’t just pretty football either, it was effective as well as they took their points with assurance. With barely ten minutes gone they were seven points to the good; shortly after they netted to establish a ten point to no score advantage. Surely they were on course to extend their lead at the top of the league table.

Even when Chris McKay netted for the home side, after good work by David Milling in midfield to create the chance, in what was only the Johnnies second foray beyond the visitor’s 45m line, it didn’t look as if it was going to change anything. Loughinisland continued in the ascendancy knocking over three points to the one Chris McKay stroked over from a 13m free.

Even when David Milling burst through to net in the twenty second minute it didn’t appear to be significant. Loughinisland kept their composure and went back down the field to tag on a further two points to their tally. However, the last two scores of the half went to the Johnnies and they did make a difference as both Chris McKay and Harry McMullan found the back of the net, assisted by Ruairi McGlynn and Joe Lennon. Loughinisland had been the dominant force, clearly the better footballers, and had managed thirteen scores yet they were only two points to the good at the turnaround (4-01 to 1-12).

Reducing the gap had given hope to the Johnnies, and planted doubts in the Loughinisland players. If the Johnnies could play poorly and still be in touch then anything would be possible if they could up their game in the second period.

Little seemed to have changed on the restart, with Loughinisland again showing their attacking intent with two points. The also fired a goal chance into the side netting. But the balance was shifting. Declan Gilmore was getting more involved at centre half back and was beginning to disrupt the Loughinisland attack. Darren Savage was pushing forward too from wingback and making his marker do the chasing.

Chris McKay pointed two frees either side of a Loughinisland point and Martin Keenan’s shot came back of the crossbar and Darren Savage pointed to bring the margin to two points again at the three-quarters way stage. Loughinisland then got their second goal to dash St John’s hope of an easy comeback when they won possession from a St John’s kick-out.

Both sides were now in the hunt form goals, as opportunities to take points were spurned. St John’s hit the post and fired another effort wide of the goals before Shane Rice hammered home a quickly taken free to draw the sides level for the first time with less than ten minutes to play. Now the momentum was with the Johnnies. Martin Keenan netted to give them the lead and they added a point for good measure.

Loughinisland battled hard and well to get the equalizing scores but were denied by the bar and by Anthony Doran. The pointed to leave them one point adrift. But hard through they tried to get the next score they were denied by a combination of Ryan Gordon, Conor Morgan, Conor McQuoid, Patrick Kelly and most prominently Declan Gilmore. Instead it was St John’s who broke upfield, and with the Loughinisland team committed to attack, found space for Damien Mackin to bury the last score of the game in the back of the net. And the last nail in Loughinisland’s coffin. For sure they’ll be disappointed to get nothing from the game but I, for one, hope that the quality of the football they played will bring rewards in weeks and months to come.

St John’s: Anthony Doran; Ryan Gordon, Conor Morgan, Joshua Wells; Darren Savage (0-1), Declan Gilmore, Patrick Kelly; David Milling (1-0), Shane Rice (1-0, 1f); Joe Lennon, Harry McMullan (1-0), Hugh Flanagan; Chris McKay (2-3, 0-3f), Conor McQuoid, Ruairi McGlynn. Subs used Damien Mackin (1-0) for Hugh Flanagan, Hugh Flanagan for Joe Lennon, Martin Keenan (1-0) for Ruairi McGlynn.