St John’s 0-14-0-09 Lámh Dhearg
By Kevin Herron at Corrigan Park
The departure of Ronan McCafferty, midway through the opening half at Corrigan Park failed to derail St John’s of a second league victory over Lámh Dhearg at the Whiterock Road this evening.
With the Johnnies 0-04-0-03 ahead approaching the midway point in the first-half McCafferty tangled with Declan Lynch in front of referee Karol Doherty who issued midfielder a red-card as things threatened to simmer.
Despite their numerical disadvantage St John’s lead 0-07-0-04 at the break and rallied in the second-half hour – outscoring Lámh Dhearg 0-07-0-05 with dual -star Brian Neeson conjuring up 0-05 from the placed ball over the course of the sixty minutes to help his side claim a league double over the county champions who begin the defence of the McNamee cup next weekend.
The hosts were quickest out the blocks this evening through Brian Neeson’s converted free inside the opening sixty seconds and further scores from McCafferty and Matt Fitzpatrick had St John’s 0-03-0-00 ahead by the tenth minute.
Paddy Cunningham responded for Lámh Dhearg from the placed ball and another Cunningham free went short to Declan Lynch who landed a magnificent score to half the deficit.
Lámh Dhearg were level by the 13th minute as Terry McCrudden shot sailed straight between the posts to make it 0-03 to 0-03 – however St John’s regained the lead through Conal McGlade’s score after a brave block from Marc McGarry had initially kept the hosts at bay.
A straight red card for St John’s midfielder McCafferty reduced the home side to 14 men but the Corrigan Park men reacted positively and edged two ahead through a second converted Brian Neeson free and a fine point from Peter McCallin – sandwiched between a great angled point from Ryan Murray.
St John’s increased their lead to three by half time through a Simon McDonagh point but had to regroup at the break to prepare for a further half hour a man light.
The hosts hit the first score of the second period within the first five minutes through advancing wing-back Ciaran Garland – though Paddy Cunningham responded at the other end to keep the deficit at three, 0-08-0-05.
Lámh Dhearg failed to make adequate use of their numerical advantage and forced the ball on a number of occasions – St John’s opted for the patient approach and it paid dividends with four scores on the spin that all but secured victory.
Upon his introduction in place of Conal McGlade – Conor Johnston had the chance to find the opening goal, though John Finucane did well to divert danger at the expense of a 45’.
Jack Hannigan increased the Johnnies lead to four before Brian Neeson’s master class of kicking continued – the Cliftonville shot stopper showed his talents lie in scoring shots as well as saving them with two magnificently converted frees that curled over the bar in between a second point from McCallin as St John’s were 0-12-0-05 ahead by the 49th minute.
Lámh Dhearg substitute Mark Finnegan produced a fine score from the placed ball in response but St John’s replied with their final two scores of the evening through Matt Fitzpatrick and Neeson [free] to move seven ahead, 0-14-0-07.
The visitor’s at least restored some late pride towards the end through two fine points from Ryan Murray to bring his evening tally to 0-03 – it was in vein in the end however at St John’s secured a league double over the Hannahstown men as both sides attention now turns to Championship.
Lámh Dhearg begin the defence of the McNamee Cup next Sunday evening with a tricky preliminary round encounter against Ahgagallon – St John’s will put football on the back burner for a few weeks though as Hurling Championship takes precedence with a Sunday afternoon clash against Loughgiel.
St John’s: E Rua-Lambert, L Laverty, M Dudley, C Garland (0-01), R Hannigan, S Tierney, J Hannigan (0-01), R McCafferty (0-1), S McDonagh (0-01), C McGlade (0-01), A McGowan, P McCallin (0-02), B Neeson (0-05f), R McNulty, M Fitzpatrick (0-02). Subs: M Bradley for R Hannigan (34 mins), C Johnston for C McGlade (36 mins), L Pedan for P McCallin (40 mins).
Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, C Nolan, A McAufield, M McGarry, D Bellew, D Lynch (0-01), B McComb, C Hannon, C Flaherty, E McKeown, R Straney, B Rice, P Cunningham (0-03, 0-02f), T McCrudden (0-01), R Murray (0-03). Subs: P Larkin for B McComb (40 mins), M Finnegan (0-01f) for E McKeown (44 mins), R Fegan for D Bellew (45 mins), D Dunne for T McCrudden (49 mins), R Diamond for C Hannon (58 mins), J Trainor for B Rice (60 mins).
Referee: Karol Doherty (Rahsarkin)