U-17 Football League Division Two
Na Gaeil Óga 2-09-2-13 St Johns
Kevin Herron reports from the Bear Pit
St Johns moved a step closer to securing the Division Two title in the U-17 Football League after seeing off challengers Na Gaeil Óga 2-13-2-09 at the Bear Pit on Wednesday evening.
it was a meeting of the top-two in the league and the hosts were in need of a win to keep their hopes alive against the Johnnies- who remain unbeaten.
It was Na Gaeil Óga who were first off the mark after Calum Fegan smartly picked out the run of Fionn Jemfrey to kick a magnificent point.
Padraig Graham converted a free to bring St Johns level and on eight minutes the visitors hit the front with the games opening goal.
Enda McGurk tried to weave his way in at the by-line and opted to pop across to Odhran Quinn whose effort was palmed against the bar, but Graham reacted quickest and his acrobatic scissor-kick shot flew into the net to give his side a 1-01-0-01 lead.
The hosts responded after Jemfrey found Conlai Mervyn to kick an outstanding point and Jemfrey then swung over his second of the half.
St Johns would restore their goal advantage thanks to a converted free from Odhran Quinn and a smart point from Odhran McAuley after playing a one-two and steering over at the near post.
Darragh McLaughlin and Quinn traded points and Quinn’s third of the evening stretched the Johnnies lead.
A converted Calum Fegan free reduced arrears before the sides traded goals within less than sixty seconds.
Odhran Quinn withstood heavy pressure and laid the ball off to Padraig Graham to rile home his second of the evening and make it 2-05-0-05.
Fegan came up with an immediate reply, weaving his way forward and letting fly with a blistering strike from distance and nestled in the bottom corner.
The sides continued to trade scores approaching the break with Quinn and Jemfrey on target and free takers Fegan and Graham then landed placed balls.
Na Gaeil Óga reduced the deficit with the last score of the half, Jemfrey kicking a fine point to bring his tally to four and ensure his side trailed 2-07-1-08 at the break.
St Johns found scores easier to come by after the break and hit four unanswered frees before Na Gaeil Óga would eventually reply.
Odhran Quinn and Padraig Graham hit the first two with Quinn adding another two in the aftermath. the hosts were struggling from the placed ball with Fegan and Jemfrey unable to take advantage of chances to reduce arrears.
Eventually Jemfrey got his side off the mark for the half as they trailed 2-11-1-09 with less than ten minutes to go.
Odhran Quinn dropped over his first from play in the second period and a fine Ronan Donnelly score had opened up a seven-point lead for the Whiterock outfit.
Na Gaeil Óga talisman Jemfrey would net his sides second goal three minutes into added time, but it was scant consolation in the grand scheme of things as St Johns ran out 2-13-2-09 winners at the conclusion to leave themselves on the verge of clinching League honours.
