St John’s U-10 Seasons starts at East Down Blitz

Sat 24th April 2004 East Down Blitz in Downpatrick

This Blitz came too early for St John’s for whom training had only started the week before with 8 brave souls venturing out on a very wet day at end of Easter holidays. They had passed the commitment test for sure on a day like that.

We rounded up a squad of 17 for the Blitz in Downpatrick, which fortunately for all concerned saw a big improvement in the weather. For 11 of this young squad this was their first football of the year. And it is a young squad for a dozen of them will still be eligible for under-10 football again next year. St John’s were placed in a group with Castlewellan, Carryduff A, Bryansford and Loughinisland. The other group contained the hosts Downpatrick RGU, Bredagh, Carryduff B, Dromara and Ardglass.

Given that this was such a young and inexperienced team the first match against Castlewellan was like being thrown to the lions and a baptism of fire and thrown in at the deep end all at one. Castlewellan won by a mile as we struggled to get two passes together, but we survived and we regrouped.

There was improvement to be seen in the subsequent games against Carryduff A, Bryansford and Loughinisland and there were periods in each where we showed glimpses of good individual play and the beginnings of good team work at times. Hard work and endeavour were noticeable throughout, but there is no doubt that much work needs to be done on the training ground in the coming weeks.

Leading scorers for St John’s were Philip Brennan, Michael Keenan, Kevin Keenan and James Walsh. Conor Savage stood out for their ball winning at the back and in midfield while Darren Morgan stood out for the way he was able to find space to receive the ball and to work it onto team mates.

There were good showing as well from Colm Kelly, Kathleen Milligan, Amy Doyle, Niamh Flanagan and Nicole Noade who can all expect to improve in the coming weeks and months. The three Patricks (Keenan, O’Neill and Flynn) showed well too and couldn’t be faulted for their efforts against older opponents. Neil Savage, on loan from the under-8s squad, showed what a good footballer he is going to be if he can maintain these standards and continue to work hard in training.

Sat 29th May 2004 Drumaness 2-11 v 5-04 St John’s

A squad of 20 keen young footballers travelled to Drumaness for a challenge match and all featured at some stage or other. There was a good crowd of supporters and parents, and they enjoyed both good weather and good football.

Drumaness started the brighter, playing with the wind and had St John’s pinned back in their own half for much of the time. They shot several wides but bagged a goal and a point, both from the boot of Rory Mason. St John’s only reply was well taken point from Conor Gilmore after Kathleen Milligan and Niamh Flanagan had pressured the Drumaness defenders into rushing a clearance.

The change of direction for the second period did not bring any immediate change in fortune as Drumaness added another goal and two further points to their tally. They would surely have added more but for the good defensive work of Colm Kelly, Patrick O’Neill and Paul Kelly.

Neil Savage showed great determination in driving at the Drumaness lines before pointing from an angle. His efforts and example seem to lift the whole St John’s team. Drumaness pointed again before Neil Savage got his second point. Now it was St John’s turn to apply the pressure as Philip Brennan, Darren Morgan, Patrick Keenan and Amy Doyle worked hard to create chances for others. Their work for the St John’s cause was rewarded as Rory Doyle netted after a pass from Channan Savage and Conor Gilmore added a second point. At the end of the second period the Johnnies still trailed, by 2-05 to 1-04, but there was a sense of optimism in the squad.

St John’s saved their best football for the third period. There were several occasions when Darren Morgan, Philip Brennan, Patrick Keenan and Patrick Flynn combined as the Johnnies moved the ball from defence to attack. The determination showed right across the field as Kevin Keenan bagged two goals and Conor Gilmore scored as well to change the complexion of the game.

Drumaness rallied with 4 unanswered points but sound defending by Conor Savage, James Walsh and Paul Kelly kept their chances to a minimum. Michael Keenan, captain for the day, played a hero’s role minding the net in the third period. He had played well in midfield earlier but his contribution up to snuffing goal chances was vital. This was never more obvious when he turned a penalty kick over the bar – had that gone under rather than over the bar then the scores would have finished even!

A third goal by Kevin Keenan gave St John’s us breathing space so that even though Drumaness finished strongly with the last two points it wasn’t enough to take the smiles from the young St John’s faces

St John’s were also able to give debuts to Jerome Gordon and Aidan Morgan in this game, and they were both able to hold their own despite being only 8 and 7 respectively. Definitely two to watch out for in the coming years

Scorers for St John’s: K Keenan 3-00; Conor Gilmore 1-02; Rory Doyle 1-00; Neil Savage 0-02.

St John’s Squad: Darren Morgan, Conor Savage, Philip Brennan, Paul Kelly, Channan Savage, Kathleen Milligan, Amy Doyle, Patrick Keenan, Kevin Keenan, Rory Doyle, Aidan Morgan, Jerome Gordon, James Walsh, Patrick Flynn, Neil Savage, Patrick O’Neill, Conor Gilmore, Colm Kelly, Michael Keenan, Niamh Flanagan.