Antrim U21 Football Championship quarter-final
St John’s 3-11 St Paul’s 2-9
St. John’s advanced to the semi-final of the U21 A Football championship when they produced an impressive performance to overcome the challenge of visitors St. Paul’s at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
The Shaw’s Road side would have probably started this one as favourites having contested the last two minor finals but it was a big and powerful St. John’s who took control from early in the contest.
The hosts dominated the opening half to lead by six at half time but with the wind in their favour in the second half St. Paul’s certainly didn’t look out of it.
The visitors made a real fight of it in the second period but any time they threatened, the ‘Johnnies’ were able to find a response and in the end were worthy winners.
St. John’s were strong down the middle with full-back Enda McGurk, centre-back Ronan Quinn, midfielder Conor Hand, and centre-forward Conchuir Adams in dominant form.
The Shaw’s Road side battled hard and closed the gap to three with six minutes remaining when Caoimhin Duffy finished to the net but before the celebrations had died down, Ronan Quinn netted at the other end after being placed by James Wilson.
St Paul’s got off to a brighter start, with Tarlach Enright kicking a free within the opening minute. Their lead doubled when Conall Duffy made a good break, and the ball was worked to Patrick Crawford, who scored via Caoimhin Duffy.
The Johnnies’ first real attack resulted in their opening score with Ronan Quinn pointing and this seemed to bring belief to their challenge.
They looked in for an early goal when Conor Hand cut through, but Lorcan Murphy turned away his shot superbly.
Conhuir Adams levelled the contest shortly after and from the resulting kick-out the home side won possession and Adams sent an inch perfect pass into the path of Hand who palmed to the net from close range.
The hosts were now in full swing as Enda McGurk and Adams followed up with points and the visitors were now struggling to find a way through a solid Johnnies defence.
Enright did kick frees either side of an impressive score from Hand, but McGurk and Quinn would double their own tallies as the scores began to flow for the Whiterock Road side.
Jack Ireland did hit back with a good score for St Paul’s, but Adams replied with a free and then was unlucky to see his shot at goal; come back off the crossbar, but the hosts held a deserved 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the break.
The visitors needed a quick start to the second half to mount a challenge and when Caoimhin Duffy converted a Mark in the opening minute it looked like a comeback might be under way.
St. John’s had other ideas however as they replied with their second goal of the afternoon with just four minutes gone. An Adams free dropped short but Lorcan Duffy in the St Paul’s goal only palmed it out to Fearghal MacManus to palm home.
That put eight between them, but three minutes later it was back to five as a good move resulted in Garrett Cowan slotting low to the net and just one minute later, it really could have been game on when Caoimhin Duffy forced a smart stop from Padraig Graham.
St Paul’s looked to be getting on top as they pressed forward but they hit three wides in quick succession as they failed to capitalise on a period of possession as Conor Hand kicked a free at the other end.
St Paul’s substitute Ryan McCoy’s immediate duty was to kick a free but Hand replied, yet the Shaw’s Road side seemed right back in it five minutes from time as a bit of quick thinking ended with Caoimhin Duffy finishing from close range to leave just a goal between the sides.
St. John’s response was immediate and decisive and a good move from deep in their own half saw Ronan Quinn collect a pass from James Wilson to blast home.
Conall Duffy and Enright narrowed the gap to four in added time, but Conan McKinney ensured there would be no way back as he kicked the final point of the evening to secure the Johnnies place in the semi-final.
St. John’s: P Graham; M Darragh, E McGurk (0-2), M Mallon; J Robb, R Quinn (1-2), D King; C Hand (1-3, 0-1f), R Donnelly; J Wilson, C Adams (0-3, 1f), C McKinney (0-1); F McKinney, F MacManus (1-0), O McAuley.
Subs: D Robinson for M Mallon (28), C Darragh for D King (56), O Quinn for F MacManus (56).
St. Paul’s: L Murphy; G Cowan (1-0), C McAlea, N McKenna; C O’Neill, D O’Sullivan, J Ireland (0-1); C Killyleagh, D Quinn; P Crawford (0-1), Conall Duffy (0-1), T Enright (0-4f); Caoinhin Duffy (1-1, 0-1m), P McDonnell, S Burns.
Subs: C Rogers-Duffy for C O’Neill (24), R McCoy (0-1f) for P Crawford (49).
Referee: Martin Quinn (Naomh Éanna)
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