St John's Drumnaquoile 3:08
Aghaderg 1:06
Venue: Pairc Naomh Eoin
Match official: James Magennis (Ballykinler GAC)
A dramatic second half comeback ensured a spirited St John's side won this closely contested league fixture.
It was the away side that settled quickest, with Portadown soccer star Brogan Burns opening the scoring in the 11th minute.
St John's swiftly replied, when Maxi McCormick finished to the net after a deft reverse hand pass from Oisin McComiskey.
From the resultant kick-out, Ryan Burns won possession and angled over a superb score, shifting the momentum of the game to the home side.
Centre half back James McCann forayed forward to increase the advantage after clever build up play from Odhran Addis and Barney Flynn.
Aghaderg found their rhythm midway through the first half, a fine score from Louis Lennon, (feinting with his left and slotting over with his right) followed by a brace of fine frees from brother Leo boosting the confidence of the young South Down side, which featured seven under 12 players.
The slick transitional play of young Burns (Brogan), Dillon McGrath and Fintan Donnelly was causing the Johnnies a multitude of problems, and it was the away side that led at the break with a scoreline of 1:04 - 1:02 in their favour.
Immediately after the restart, Aghaderg's Noah Crudden angled over an excellent point, followed by another fine free by Louis Lennon.
Johnnies' netminder Rory Barr bravely parried away a rasping shot by Shea Tucker in the next phase of play, to keep the home side in the game. It was a vital save!
Full back Evan Murray swept up the rebound, before Jack Branniff burst forward feeding Oisin McComiskey, who rifled high to the net past goalkeeper Daniel Comeford to breathe belief back into the Johnnies.
McComiskey was everywhere, winning gruelling battles for possession and helping team mates with clever combination play.
There were key duals all over the pitch, particularly in midfield, with Danny O'Connor and Aaron Hazzard Flanagan taking on St Colman's Newry duo MJ Mooney and James Morgan.
Hazard Flanagan made numerous timed, aggressive runs, to link up strongly with Ryan Byrne and Dáire O'Connor.
In the 51st minute he set up Cian Mackin, who scored a goal with his first touch after being introduced less than a minute earlier!
Daniel Cope excelled in his debut at full-back, showing a maturity beyond his years.
Eoin McMullan and Jack Braniff linked up superbly with their half backs in the final quarter, with the latter playing Hazard Flanagan through for a fine team score in the 59th minute.
McComiskey landed the only two pointer of the game deep in injury time to seal a memorable win, characterised by a team that never gives up, doesn't panic and remains welded to the game plan no matter how much adversity they face.
Aghaderg:
Daniel Comeford, Tiernan Fitzpatrick, James McGrath, Conn Lennon, Dillon McGrath, Rhys Hynds, Fintan Donnelly, MJ Mooney, James Morgan, Louis Lennon, Brogan Burns, Leo Lennon, Ryan Donnelly, Shea Tucker, Noah Crudden.
Banisteori:
Caroline Burns, Liam Burns, Séamus Morgan.