St John’s retain league title as Keenan nets the winner

St John’s Athletic 1 Skyvalley Rovers 0

By Eamon A. Donoghue

St John’s Athletic retained the RDFL Premier Division title they won for the first time last season with the only goal of the game, scored by Daire Keenan, securing victory over Skyvalley Rovers at Killoy, Lecarrow last Sunday.

On Easter Sunday, the St John’s players got a welcome Easter present, the Premier Division title. It was a trophy they couldn’t win for about 40 seasons, now they have won it twice in a row.

The Lecarrow based team just needed a draw to seal the title. Managed by Tony O'Sullivan and Keith Reynolds, St John's didn’t disappoint the photographers in attendance; they scored the only goal in a game that never came to life and lifted the trophy.

Skyvalley themselves were the team that needed the points, the club that won the Premier Division title eight times are trying to retain their place in the top flight. They had to play this game without marquee player and former Roscommon footballer Mark Richardson and he was badly missed. Skyvalley matched their hosts in every aspect, except up front and without Richardson and John Price, they didn’t have any goal threat.

The game started off as if St John’s were going to top off their season with a swashbuckling display. Daire Keenan was unlucky with a shot

Then another ball over the top, testing the Skyvalley defence, this time Donnacha Monaghan had to leave his goal and head the ball clear from danger. Things looked bleak for Skyvalley in the early exchanges.

Skyvalley though gradually grew into the game, they had their first shot in anger from Conal Moore but his attempt flew over the bar. They kept up the pressure and Emmet Kelly had a go and though his attempt didn’t test Seán Coyle in goal, the Taughmaconnell based team was back in the contest.

Then the key moment in the game arrived, after a seemingly harmless ball forward held up in the air. When the ball dropped to the ground, no Skyvalley player dealt with it and Keenan took full advantage. His first touch created the space and his second touch was an excellent finish past Monaghan and into the net.

It was a sucker punch for Skyvalley and it gave hosts the platform for their eventual victory.

St John’s then started to use the brisk wind to drop free kicks on top of the Skyvalley rearguard and numerous chances fell at the feet of the Lecarrow side's players but they couldn’t add to Keenan’s goal. They did have opportunities though. Simon Leonard’s throw-ins were like free kicks and some of Robert Owens's corners could have easily ended up in the Skyvalley net. At half-time, it was St John’s 1 Skyvalley 0.

After the interval, Skyvalley took over possession wise in the third quarter. Eoin Keogh used his ability to power free kicks into the wind, the ball swirling in the air and dropping on top of the St John’s defence. They forced a number of corners and set pieces. Keelan Galvin and Conal Moore kept swinging in crosses. Robert Brooks kept foraging at midfield for possession and Emmett Kelly was beginning to get in behind. They looked the more likely side to score and equalise, but they were unable to do so.

In the latter stages of the game, both teams looked tired and out of ideas. Skyvalley stayed competitive but they simply had no threat up top. St John’s brought on former Roscommon footballer Conor Devaney and he used all his guile and experience in those tense situations to see out the win, to secure successive premier titles.

What the game lacked in general play, it made up for in spades from corners, throw-ins and free kicks. Robert Owens and Emmett Kelly both had left-footed corners that were swung into the goalmouth in excellent fashion. Owen Keogh and Gary Canavan both hit free kicks that on another day could have ended in goals. But it was Keenan that got the goal and the win.

Player of the match: Ronan Morris (St John’s Athletic). In a game where chances were few and far between, with set pieces playing a prominent role, defences were on top. Ronan Morris took control of his defence and Skyvalley never really threatened the St John’s goal. Daire Keenan took his goal well. Eoin Keogh had a solid game at the centre of Skyvalley’s defence.

St John’s Athletic: Seán Coyle, Eamon Harney, Robert Owens, Jack O’Beirne, Ronan Morris, Bryan Hughes, Kevin Brennan, Simon Leonard, Thomas Turley, Stephen Francis, Daire Keenan. Subs used: Conor Devaney, Dave Donohue.

Skyvalley Rovers: Donnacha Monaghan, Keelan Galvin, Gary Canavan, David Daly, Diarmuid Killeen, Eoin Keogh, Conal Moore, Robbie Brooks, Danny Lynch, Mike Garvey, Emmett Kelly. Subs: Ciaran Cummins, Joe Johnston.

Referee: Ultan Beaumont.