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The Minors increased their winning streak to 11 games with a hard fought 3 point victory over Division 2 side Ballyholland in the Championship.
St Johns 1-13 Ballyholland 2-7
Minor B FC Tuesday 2 August 2011 @ Pairc Naomh Eoin For the first game in a long time, St. John's were slow to start as well as conceding the first few scores. Before St. John's got their first score Ballyholland had already scored a goal and two points. After the first Johnnies score the two teams then exchanged scores before St. John's reduced the lead to a single point thanks to points from Conor Gilmore and a well worked team score finished by Hugh Flanagan. However, it didn't take Ballyholland long to reply as their superior sharpness showed and they regained their three point lead. St. John's did not let this affect them though and soon the teams were level thanks to great defensive work from Chris McKay turning the ball over before firing to the net. The Johnnies could have went into the break in front after McKay had another goal chance but rattled the crossbar and Ballyholland went down the field and pointed to leave the half time score Ballyholland 1-5, St. John's 1-4. A few positional switches at half time saw the Johnnies start the second half better than the first and they levelled the game after a Marty Keenan point. The game was then very much end to end with the teams exchanging scores and both playing a running game. St. John's started to get on top and points from Chris McKay (2), Marty Keenan (2) and Darren Burns put the Johnnies into a four point lead, 1-11 to 1-7. Ballyholland then had a man sent off but this didn't affect them in any way and they actually got the next score, a goal from a free kick which dropped short and was punched to the net. This left a point in it with 5 minutes to go. St. John's finally made use of the extra man by retaining possession while moving forward with the ball and this led to two further points from Chris McKay. Right at the end, Ballyholland were awarded a 45 and with a goal in it, the ball was dropped into the box but St. John's were given a free kick for a square ball and held on for the victory. Final Score - St. John's 1-13, Ballyholland 2-7 Team and Scorers - Darren Morgan; Kevin Keenan, Joe Milligan, Conor Savage; Coalan Carville, Ryan Gordon, John Girvan; Neill Magorrian (0-1), Darren Burns (0-1); Marty Keenan (0-3), Hugh Flanagan (0-1), Conor Gilmore (0-1); Paddy Keenan, Chris McKay (1-6), Jerome Gordon. Subs - Neil Savage (for Paddy Keenan), Colm Kelly (for Neil Savage), Gavin Marmion. This was a great win considering it took the Johnnies 20-25 minutes to get started and even at that they were only a point down at half time. At the minute, according to the Down website the Minors are at home to St. Paul's next week in what is a league decider. All players to meet no later than 6.30pm. Morgan Milk Down Minor "B" Football Championship |
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